COVID-19's impact on tire industry: News you may have missed

Tire dealers advise caution on lifting COVID-19 restrictions

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — Tire and automotive service shops around the country have adjusted to a new way of business that means more safety precautions in the shop and less foot traffic as efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 continue.

While business is down significantly, reopening the U.S. economy needs to be done with caution, "in phases," to avoid a spike in the pandemic, according to a number of independent tire dealers contacted recently by Tire Business.

"Opening up the country is not something that we can or should do across the board," Greg Mynaugh, president of United Tire & Service L.L.C., said. "(It might) make total sense in Wyoming but certainly does not in Philadelphia or the Northeast, right now."

Bridgestone's COVID response tested as cases increase at Iowa plant

DES MOINES, Iowa — Eight employees at Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s Des Moines agricultural tire plant have tested positive for COVID-19 as of May 1, the company confirmed.

"We are taking every precaution, including thorough disinfection and self-quarantine of any employees who came into contact with a (COVID-19) positive employee," Bridgestone said.

The company said it is mitigating the situation using protocols it put into place to respond to such an event before production at the plant — which employs 1,050 at last reporting — was restarted April 13 along with other North American commercial tire plants as demand for agriculture and farm-related tires and commercial truck tires was reported up for the "essential" industries.

Tire wholesalers see decline in demand due to COVID-19

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — The reduced traffic and sales at retail tire dealerships and auto repair shops during the pandemic have in turn hurt some tire wholesale businesses.

"We have seen a downturn in the amount of customers going into our customers' (stores) who we distribute to, so naturally we've seen a downturn in business," Brian Gollub, director of purchasing and distribution for Sullivan Tire Co., said.

Norwell, Mass.-based Sullivan Tire operates its own retail and commercial stores throughout New England in addition to distributing to other retail dealerships.

Mr. Gollub said the wholesale customers are buying fewer tires because, even though the businesses are considered essential services under state stay-at-home orders, there are fewer retail consumers buying tires.

GfK: Tier 4 brands gaining market share during pandemic

BOWIE, Md. — During April, Tier 4 tire brands gained an increased share of the aftermarket, even as overall tire sales plummeted in the U.S., according to representatives of research firm GfK U.S. in a recent webinar.

"What we are seeing is a shift from the Tier 1 brand down to the Tier 2 and Tier 3, and we're seeing the biggest increase in the Tier 4 brands," said Neil Portnoy, GfK managing director, POS tracking, during a May 6 webinar sponsored by the Tire Industry Association.

Our View: Sky starts to clear for the resilient

"The strong, smart, resilient and adaptable survive. This is where we show what we are made of," said Patrice Banks, the owner of Girls Auto Clinic in Philadelphia that closed down for a month due to the coronavirus pandemic and is back open for business.

There is a sense among the tire dealers who Tire Business staff have communicated with that the worst impact of COVID-19 may be behind us, and they are hoping for a good summer. 

What's been canceled and postponed?

Tire Business has been tracking industry related events that have been canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Check out the link for our full list.