DES MOINES, Iowa — Since its inception eight years ago, more than 7,000 students have graduated from Titan International Inc.'s Titan University Summit, a sales training program designed specifically for tire dealers.
This year's program, which was held Jan. 16-18 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa, included 20 classes, several of which were hands-on classes.
Among those who talked with students were Matt White, director of tire service at the Tire Industry Association (TIA), and Marty Morrow, vice president of compounding at Titan.
Attendees also got to tour the Titan tire facility in Des Moines.
"We welcomed more first-time attendees this year than ever before — not only those who are new to Titan U but also those who are new to the industry," Paul Hawkins, senior vice president of aftermarket sales at Titan, said.
"This tells me that, year after year, we're providing a valuable service. No one has anything remotely like it, and it's an honor to have served more than 7,000 dealer students over the years."
Classroom sessions covered a range of topics on both tires and wheels, including ag priority product lines; low sidewall technology fitments; OTR selling strategies; safety overviews; and market-specific updates in both ag and OTR segments specific to each application and equipment type; and in-field and dealer counter sales training.
Sessions were interactive, Titan said, ensuring dealers gained insights and knowledge.
White's presentation was designed to improve safety and technical service knowledge in the tire industry. The keynote focused on wheels and tires in agriculture and OTR applications, with experts from TIA, Stellar Industries, Fuller Brothers, AME International and Intercomp among participants.
Jesse Wickel, owner of Wickel Tire Pros, said the knowledge gained "helped us on a day-to-day basis. Titan is a great partner that is focused on helping us better serve our individual markets."
"The emphasis and education on safety is off the charts," Harvey Stoner, sales manager at Graham Tire, said.
"Our hope is that dealers leave Titan U trusting we have their back," Kim Boccardi, vice president of marketing at Titan, said. "We want to be accessible to our dealers and also ensure value for our end-user customers running our products — which is exactly why continued education will always be a priority for Titan."
