Keeping the Message Consistent

Tire Business Special Report TGI broadening It’s been a quiet year Brands at a TireBrandsReport 10 Cosmo portfolio 10 for branding 12-13 glance listing Directory of private brand marketers 14-16 Import brand marketers 17-20 Flag-associate brand marketers 21-22

May 13, 2019 $79 per year, $4 per copy www.tirebusiness.com Keeping the message consistent Conti unveils four products at Gold Trip, but message to dealers remains same By Don Detore we have been doing it a long time,” said Chris [email protected] Charity, vice president of sales, noting that CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico he, Mr. Rof er and Bill Caldwell, vice presi- Sure, there was the requisite new prod- dent of sales and marketing, have all been in ucts — four to be exact — as well as re- their respective positions for a decade-plus. views of the latest dealer program and “It’s very different from other compa- marketing initiatives, but leaders of Con- nies, but it works for us,” Mr. Charity said. tinental Tire the Americas L.L.C. had one “We found ways to grow, and we face big overwhelming message during the recent challenges every year, but we keep it fresh dealer meeting: Consistency. and nd solutions moving forward.” Coming off one of the most disruptive In fact, it was Mr. Caldwell’s initial greet- years in the tire industry, during which ing to dealers — when he told them that Con- four of its competitors made a push to conti will continue to focus on producing a quali- trol the distribution market, Conti wanted ty product and partner with distributors “who to make one thing clear to the record 375 support our brands and support dealers who dealers — including 62 rst-timers — who want to sell our brands the right way” — that quali ed for the 15th annual Gold Trip. drew the loudest applause. “We want to be consistent in what we’re “So there’s not really an initiative or a trig- doing, and the message stays consistent year ger or a catalyst for us to change that course after year,” Director of Marketing Travis right now,” Mr. Caldwell said during the Rof er said. “Everything I’m doing in mar- general session on the second day of the ve- Director of Marketing Travis Rof er was one of keting, everything they’re doing in sales, our day getaway, held in mid-March at the Hy- several Continental Tire the Americas executives direction and philosophy, is our consistency att Ziva Los Cabos resort in Cabo. Around to address dealers during the 2019 Gold Trip, held in how we handle the independent dealer.” 100 premier dealers spent two extra days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Tire Business photo by Don Detore “Our team is a very consistent team, and SEE CONTI , PAGE 24 Duties, tariffs disrupting tire industry Impact on Chinese truck tires in flux Trump tariffs set to increase By Bruce Davis The truck/bus tire duties are By Miles Moore and rubber auto and industrial parts including [email protected] the result of a petition led in [email protected] V-belts, conveyor belts, tubes, pipes and hoses. hose curious about the effects of elevat- April 2017 by the United Steel- WASHINGTON In the notice, the USTR also said it would ed import duties on a market need look workers (USW) union, which The U.S. is prepared establish a process by which individuals and Tno further than the U.S. replacement represents workers at union- to go ahead with plans to companies affected by the tariffs may request tire market over the past four years. ized tire factories in the U.S. raise tariffs on $200 bil- that particular products be excluded from the Since the U.S. government imposed duties in The U.S. Internation- lion worth of goods from additional duties. 2015 — ranging up to 100 percent in some cases al Trade Commission (ITC) China — including tires The Auto Care Association (ACA), National — on passenger and light truck tires from China, voted in February 2017 not and other automotive Retail Federation (NRF) and American Chemis- imports of passenger tires to the U.S. from that to impose duties, which components — to 25 per- try Council were among business groups urging nation have dropped more than 80 percent, to 8.5 prompted a USW appeal with the Court of Inter- cent, according to the Of ce of the U.S. Trade President Trump to reconsider raising tariffs. million units last year from 50.4 million in 2014. national Trade, which remanded the decision to Representative (USTR). On the other hand, the Alliance for American As a result, the share of the U.S. passenger tire the ITC, which decided two months ago in favor The agency’s notice — which appeared in the Manufacturing (AAM) cheered Mr. Trump’s aftermarket taken by tires from China collapsed, of duties after re-evaluating the case. May 9 Federal Register — was published even stance against unfair Chinese trade practices. falling to 3.9 percent last year from 24.4 percent At this point, it is still too early to gauge the as a Chinese delegation was en route to Wash- Retread Instead, a coalition of retread industry in 2014. (See detailed graphs on page 24.) full impact of the ITC’s ruling on the market and ington to continue trade talks with the U.S. players that promotes the economic and envi- The industry collectively is now looking at the importers of truck/bus tires from China, although The notice singles out all Chinese goods that ronmental advantages of retreading, said new potential impact of antidumping and counter- there have been a few moves lately that indicate received import duties of 10 percent in September tariffs would be helpful to retreaders, though vailing duties imposed in February on truck and the commercial tire segment may mimic changes 2018. The new tariffs were to take effect May 10. not as much as the antidumping and counter- bus tires from China. The duties, which range that took place in the passenger tire market. The 194-page list, which covers 5,745 sep- vailing duties levied against Chinese truck and from 20.98 percent to 63.34 percent countervail- Other recent actions by the Trump administra- arate items, includes virtually every type of bus tires earlier this year. ing and 9 percent to 22.57 percent antidumping, tion on tariffs on Chinese goods are compounding pneumatic tire; many rubber chemicals, syn- In two tweets May 5, Mr. Trump said he took effect in mid-February. SEE IMPACT , PAGE 26 thetic rubbers and grades of natural rubber; SEE RAISING , PAGE 26

©Entire contents copyright 2019 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Nexen’s R&D center in Seoul. Nexen inaugurates Hankook 3 R&D center in Seoul changes 23 company Tire makers report name 4 mixed Q1 results A STRONG AND DURABLE ALL-PURPOSE-TERRAIN TIRE PROVIDING COMPETENT ALL-TERRAIN OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY, BALANCED WITH EXCELLENT ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE, designed for all weather conditions.

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Meetsthe severe snowservice requirements ofthe Rubber Manufacturers Associations (RMA) andthe Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). Excludes OE fitments. Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 3 IndustryNews Leadership change Armstrong replaces retiring Sweatman at Marangoni

MADISON, Tenn. Bill Sweatman has ended his 16-year tenure as president and CEO of Maran- goni Tread North America (MTNA), of cially retiring on May 1. Industry veteran Clif Armstrong, who has more than 35 years of experience in various roles, has succeeded Mr. Sweatman as Marangoni president Nexen’s R&D center in Seoul features a courtyard and a multi-helix green roof, as well as a solar power system. Sweatman Armstrong and CEO. Mr. Armstrong has been vice president, business development out his career, including sales, market- for MTNA since September 2017. ing, operations and company-owned Nexen inaugurates $178M Mr. Sweatman joined Marangoni commercial store networks at Pirelli 18 years ago. A few years earlier — Tire L.L.C./TP Commercial Tire and 1998 — Jack Woodland founded the Continental Tire the Americas. global R&D center in Seoul company in Walnut Creek, Calif. Mr. Armstrong said he began to ap- In 2002, the rm moved to Mad- preciate the Ringtread product several SEOUL, South Korea green roof and features tire tread patterns on the exte- ison and began producing the Ring- years ago while with another company. Nexen Tire Corp. has inaugurated a 613,000-sq.-ft. rior to de ne the industry’s attributes. It incorporates a tread, Marangoni’s agship product, “I came away from that experience central research center in Seoul that will become the solar power system, an underground cooling and heat- a double-contoured circular tread that in awe of the Ringtread concept and its company’s research and development hub for its R&D ing ventilation system and a green rooftop to prevent needs no splicing, like other precured performance achievements,” Mr. Arm- centers in the U.S., Europe and China. thermal heat damage. retreads used in commercial truck and strong said. Nexen invested $178 million over two years in the cen- The eco features helped Nexen obtain a Level 1 tire retreading. “It truly is different and better. I am ter, dubbed “Nexen UniverCity,” which is located within the building energy-ef ciency rating certi cate from the Mr. Sweatman built the company excited about this opportunity to lead Magok Industrial Complex in western Seoul. The structure, Korea Energy Agency. into a nationally recognized brand, this great organization.” which stands eight stories tall with two additional stories Among those attending the recent grand-opening with a 5 percent share of the U.S. mar- Marangoni opened the Madison plant underground, houses both research and business complexes. ceremony were Nexen Chairman Kang Byeong Jung, ket, according to MTNA. in 2004 and has expanded it a number The workspace has been designed as an “open inno- Nexen Global CEO Travis Kang; Sohn Kyung Shik, “I started in the tire industry in 1977 of times since, including a $10 million vation environment” to maximize concentration and the chairman of Korea Employers Federation; Kany and the retreading industry in 1984,” project in 2012. teamwork, Nexen said. The company did not say how Ho Gab, chairman of Federation of Middle Market Mr. Sweatman said. “The industry has MTNA is a subsidiary of Rovereto, many employees will work at the new center. Enterprise of Korea; and other executives and staff been very good for me and my family, Italy-based Marangoni S.p.A., which To help pave the way for smarter technology, Nexen members of the Nexen Central Research Institute. and I would like to thank the employers, recently disclosed plans for a global said, the center houses R&D facilities that can predict and “The Magok Central Research Institute really de nes peers, customers, suppliers and friends partnership with Borrachas Vipal S.A. implement optimal performances such as OE versus re- Nexen Tire’s growth DNA and its identity, …” Mr. Kang for this experience, and I wish all well.” of Brazil. Marangoni said the venture placement product manufacturing, arti cial intelligence said at the opening. “We will carry out a pivotal and glob- Mr. Armstrong has served in various could become the largest global inde- technology and virtual tire technique, a performance al role that will raise the value of the movement, shifting executive management roles through- pendent player in the retreading sector. research center to evaluate the performance of tires and the paradigm in the tire industry by creating new changes vehicles and a material research center to analyze diverse and future values that no one has seen before.” nano and macro dimensions on various materials. The opening of the Magok center comes nine The name “UniverCity” is derived from a combina- months after Nexen opened a combined European tion of “Nexen Universe” and “City,” Nexen said, and business/technical center in Kelkheim, Germany. reects the company’s core values — challenge, cre- Nexen also has R&D centers in Changnyeong, China, ativity and collaboration — and business philosophy and at its recently commissioned tire plant in Zatec, Czech of in nite possibilities and values. Republic, as well one for North America under construc- The building includes a courtyard and multi-helix tion in Rich eld, Ohio, north of Akron. Goodyear focused on ‘managing debt’ in lieu of Moody’s rating downgrades NEW YORK • Probability of Default Rating — to help mitigate ongoing elevated Moody’s Investors Service Inc. has downgraded to Ba3-PD from Ba2-PD; raw-material cost pressures over the downgraded the rating on a number of • Corporate Family Rating — to longer term. These actions collec- Goodyear commercial loans and notes, Ba3 from Ba2; tively could help offset roughly $300 Michelin has opened a 3-million-sq.-ft. distribution center in Woodruff, S.C. based on its view that Goodyear’s ac- • Senior Secured Bank Credit Fa- million in materials-costs headwinds tions to mitigate ongoing elevated raw cility — to Ba1 (LGD2) from Baa3 Goodyear is anticipating. materials costs don’t take into account (LGD2); At the same time, however, Moody’s Michelin opens warehouse other industry pressures on margins. Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/ said these actions are “unlikely to re- In a prepared statement, Goodyear Debenture — to B2 (LGD6) from B1 store Debt/EBITDA to below 3x, or near S.C. transportation hubs said: “This action was not unexpected, (LGD6); EBITA/Interest to above 3x over the WOODRUFF, S.C. south of I-85, with access to I-385 and given the recent raw-material cycle af- • GTD Senior Unsecured Regular intermediate-term” and said additional Michelin North America Inc. has put I-26, Michelin said. fecting the global tire industry, weak- Bond/Debenture — to B1 (LGD4) actions will be needed to restore pro ts into operation a 3 million-sq.-ft. distri- The location puts it close to critical ening global OE demand and a chal- from Ba3 (LGD4); and to levels experienced in 2016. bution center in Woodruff that the tire transportation hubs, such as the South lenging macroeconomic environment • Speculative Grade Liquidity Rat- Goodyear’s EBITDA has dete- maker claims is capable of processing Carolina Inland Port (rail) and the Port in China. ing — to SGL-3 from SGL-2 riorated by about $475 million (as over 200,000 tires a day. of Charleston, as well as to its seven tire “The action is not expected to have In addition, Moody’s downgraded adjusted by Moody’s) from year-end The $270 million, ve-building com- plants in upstate South Carolina. a signi cant impact on our business a Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/ 2016 to year-end 2018, Moody’s said. plex, under construction since Novem- The warehouse complex sits on a 247- or nancial position. We remain fo- Debenture by Goodyear Europe B.V. There are other industry pressures, ber 2016, is capable of warehousing up acre parcel of land, of which 20 percent cused on strengthening our balance to Ba2 (LGD2) from Ba1 (LGD2). Moody’s said — including the slow- to 4 million tires, Michelin said. is protected wetlands. Michelin said it is sheet by managing our debt and in- In its commentary on its actions, down in global automotive original Thanks to a proprietary automated working to protect the ora and fauna creasing our earnings, while position- Moody’s cited as positive Goodyear’s equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales tire-handling system — which includes that populate these wetlands. ing the company for the long term.” recent pricing actions, rationaliza- and industry expectations of “attish” 16 robots and 29 cranes — the facility is Michelin has applied for LEED Moody’s downgrades for Good- tion initiatives in Germany and oth- replacement tire volumes in the U.S. designed to handle up to 120 trucks per (Leadership in Energy and Environ- year include: er cost-savings programs initiated — that Goodyear needs to consider. day, operating 24/7. The system uses bar- mental Design) certi cation for meeting codes, scanners, RFID chips and comput- the North American standard for high ers, making the facility a paper-free site. quality environmental buildings created VISIT TIREBUSINESS.COM: Check out our redesigned website. Other online content: The center is near Woodruff, a com- by the U.S. Green Building Council. BEST PLACES TO WORK: Sign up for TB’s Best Places to Work survey. STORIES • VIDEOS munity of nearly 4,500 located about 17 Forklifts used in the center are pow- PHOTO GALLERY: Check out photos from the recent Continental Tires PHOTOS • NEWS miles southwest of Spartanburg, S.C., ered by hydrogen, a “reliable and ef - The America’s Gold Trip in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. LETTERS • PODCASTS near the intersection of South Caroli- cient alternative” to regular fuel that is na Highways 101 and 417, a few miles emission-free, Michelin said. 4 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com IndustryNews NEWS IN BRIEF

President Bush to speak Tire makers report mixed Q1 results at AAPEX keynote session Several tire makers reported increased a $61-million net loss due to a number of ex- ating income while the impact of raw materials LAS VEGAS sales but lower income during the quarter traordinary items. costs is estimated at around a negative $114 mil- Former President George W. Bush will ended March 31, due to various factors, in- Sales fell 6.1 percent to $3.6 billion, driven lion, mainly affecting rst-half results. participate in the Automotive Aftermar- cluding a slowdown in global vehicle produc- by unfavorable currency translation and lower Last year’s acquisitions of Camso Inc. and ket Products Expo (AAPEX) 2019 Grand tion, higher raw materials costs and foreign international volume, partially offset by im- Fenner P.L.C. provided roughly 75 percent of Opening Keynote session, Nov. 5, in Las currency exchange issues. provements in price/mix, Goodyear said. Unit the additional revenue Michelin reported in Vegas. volumes fell 2.6 percent to 38 million tires. the quarter. The 43rd president will discuss “The Continental Segment operating income dropped to Michelin’s Automotive (passenger/light truck Challenges Facing Our Nation in the 21st Continental A.G. suffered a 17.1-percent $190 million on the negative effects of higher tire) segment reported 0.2-percent revenue growth Century and the Power of Freedom.” drop in operating income in the rst quarter raw material costs, lower volume, unfavor- to $3.17 billion as OE business fell 8 percent and The AAPEX session, a ticketed event on 0.3-percent lower sales revenue. able foreign currency translation and weak- replacement business edged up 1 percent. OE for show attendees, also will feature a Despite the earn- er results from other tire-related businesses, sales were off in every region, while replacement State of the Aftermarket Industry presen- ings decline, Conti Goodyear said. sales were up in North and Central America, Asia tation by Bill Hanvey, president and CEO Chairman Elmar De- The negatives partially were offset by fa- and Africa/Middle East. of the Auto Care Association (ACA), and genhart classi ed the vorable price/mix, improved overhead ab- Replacement demand climbed 5 percent in Bill Long, president and CEO of the Motor rst quarter as a “solid sorption and net cost savings. the U.S., driven by rising imports ahead of & Equipment Manufacturers Association performance” in light Goodyear attributed the net loss largely possible new import duties, Michelin said. (MEMA) and president and chief operat- of a “weak” market to $93 million in charges it took related to In the truck/bus tire business, replacement ing of cer of the Automotive Aftermarket environment. plans to modernize tire plants in Fulda and sales fell 2 percent, while OE sales rose 4 per- Suppliers Association (AASA). “Global car pro- Hanau, Germany. Discounting this and other cent. In North America OE business jumped AAPEX 2019, which will be held Nov. duction was down substantially at the begin- one-time charges, adjusted net income was 12 percent, while replacement sales slid 7 5-7 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, is ning of the year, as expected,” Mr. Degenhart $45 million, which was 62.2 percent below percent as dealers focused on reducing inven- co-owned by the ACA and the AASA, said during the rm’s annual shareholders’ the 2018 rst quar- tories that were built up in late 2018 ahead the light vehicle aftermarket division of meeting. ter net. of anticipated new import duties on Chinese MEMA. “That is why our solid results are all the The rm’s Amer- products. more gratifying, thanks to our strong market icas business unit ITC sets steel wheels position on the mobility markets worldwide. results mirrored the Titan Our increased cost discipline also contributed corporate results — Titan International Inc. reported double-dig- hearing for July 9 to this achievement.” operating income it declines in operating and net income for the WASHINGTON Conti’s operating income fell to $1 billion plunged 29.9 percent quarter on 3.5-percent lower sales. The International Trade Commission (ITC) on sales of $12.6 billion. to $89 million on 2.7-percent lower sales of Titan cited lower sales volumes in Europe and will hold its nal-phase hearing on possible $1.88 million. Russia, currency devaluations and higher inven- countervailing and antidumping duties against Cooper Goodyear cited higher raw materials costs, re- tory costs for the lower earnings. Titan’s pre-tax steel trailer wheels from China on July 9. Relatively strong operations by its Americas duced earnings from tire-related businesses and operating income (EBITDA) fell 32.9 percent to Elkhart, Ind.-based Dextar Wheel Co., business unit during the quarter helped Cooper unfavorable foreign currency translation for the $25.5 million, while sales fell to $410.4 million. a division of American Development Inc./ Tire & Rubber Co. overcome $15 million in earnings drop, and the negative effect of foreign Net income applicable to common share- Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., peti- one-time costs to report operating pro ts on par currency translation and lower third-party chem- holders plunged 92.2 percent to $1.2 million. tioned the ITC in August 2018 under Sec- with 2018 and increased net sales. ical sales for the reduced revenue. Favorable changes in the price/mix com- tions 701 and 731 of the Trade Act. Cooper’s rst-quarter operating income Replacement tire shipments rose 3 percent, Dexstar claims imports of Chinese was virtually unchanged from 2018 at $26.4 Goodyear said, driven by a 4-percent increase in wheels, 12 to 16.5 inches in diameter, were million, while sales increased 2.9 percent to consumer replacement business. U.S. consumer being sold in the U.S. at less than fair val- $619.2 million. Net income fell15.8 percent to replacement unit sales volume increased 6 per- ue. The Chinese government also was al- $6.98 million. cent, led by above-average growth in the 17-inch- ponent enhanced sales by 5.8 percent, Titan legedly granting subsidies to the wheels’ Cooper’s earnings in the quarter were and-greater category. OE volume fell 8 percent. said, but this gain was offset by unfavorable manufacturers, the company said. impacted negatively by $10 million in costs currency translation of 5.8 percent of net In February 2019, the Commerce De- related to the imposition of import duties on Hankook sales. Titan reported lower sales in each of its partment levied preliminary countervailing medium truck/bus tires imported from Chi- Hankook Tire Technology rst-quarter oper- segments — agricultural, earthmoving and duties of 58.3 to 293.27 percent against the na as well as $5 million in charges related to ating earnings fell 24.2 percent to $124.5 mil- consumer — for differing reasons. Chinese imports. In April, it found dump- restructuring moves the company is making lion on 2.1-percent higher sales to $1.46 billion. By segment, Titan reported: ing margins of 38.27 to 44.35 percent. in Europe. Hankook did not elaborate on the reasons y Agricultural — income from operations The duties relate to Cooper’s imports of for the earnings decline. Revenue rose despite down 34.7 percent to $13.9 million on 1.3-per- Triangle Tire launches Cooper- and Roadmaster-brand truck tires a global auto industry slowdown. cent percent lower sales of $191.7 million; from its Qingdao Ge Rui Da Rubber Co. Ltd. Unit sales of larger-diameter passenger/ yy Earthmoving/construction — income Spanish-language website joint venture in Qingdao, China, and from an SUV tires — 18-inch and larger — increased from operations down 44.5 percent to $5.52 FRANKLIN, Tenn. off-take agreement with Prinx Chengshan 3.3 percent, Hankook said, and now represent million on 6.4-percent lower sales of $176.7 Triangle Tire USA has launched a (Shandong) Tire Co. nearly 54 percent of overall sales. million; and Spanish-language version of its website to Cooper’s Americas segment delivered an op- Hankook, the No. 7 tire maker worldwide, yy Consumer — income from opera- communicate with Spanish-speaking com- erating pro t of said increasing sales of larger-diameter tires is tions down 44.1 percent to $2.12 million on mercial and consumer tire audiences more $38.8 million, up 24.1 part of its strategy to solidify its position as a 1.4-percent lower sales of $41.9 million. effectively. percent from 2018 premium brand and for strengthening its com- In addition to product pages for each despite the $10 mil- petitiveness in premium product categories. Trelleborg of the company’s OTR, medium truck, lion impact of TBR Trelleborg A.B. reported a slight increase passenger, light truck and specialty tire tariffs in the period Michelin in pre-tax operating earnings (EBIT) to product offerings, the website features a this year, the com- Group Michelin’s sales revenue climbed 11.3 $141.3 million as sales increased 9.4 percent timeline with photos and videos showing pany said. Cooper percent to $6.6 billion during the quarter thanks to $1.02 billion. progress being made at the construction attributed the im- to “robust” price-mix component and the rst- Trelleborg Wheel Systems reported a 4.6-per- site for the company’s planned tire plant in provement to price/ time contributions of newly acquired businesses. cent drop in operating income, to $38.3 million, Edgecombe County, N.C. mix improvements and reduced manufactur- Michelin’s revenue increase came despite on 10.7-percent higher sales of $302.5 million. Another page on the company’s Spanish ing and product liability costs. Offsetting the a 0.5-percent drop in tonnage volumes, the Trelleborg cited the timing of price increases and English language sites, called “Gear- improvements were higher raw materials and company reported, and was aided by a favor- at the beginning heads,” features content from Triangle import duties costs. able currency-exchange effect. of the year and drifting competitors and enthusiasts riding Sales increased 6.1 percent to $514.9 mil- Michelin did not disclose earnings at this foreign exchange on Triangle tires, Triangle said. lion — the third consecutive quarterly gain time but said the rst-quarter performance rate changes for — on the positive effects of a favorable price/ is allowing it to con rm its earlier-published the lower earn- mix component. Unit volumes were un- expectations for 2019 — segment operating ings. CORRECTIONBREAKING NEWS changed: up in North America but down in income to exceed the 2018 levels (at constant Organic growth accounted for most of the Latin/South America, Cooper said. exchange rates) and volume growth in line sales increase, Trelleborg said, with positive with global market trends. demand for agricultural tires in Europe and Goodyear has not yet established a coop- Goodyear Based on April 2019 exchange rates, Miche- North America offsetting weaker demand in erative project with Waymo L.L.C. A story Goodyear suffered a 32.4-percent plunge in lin said the currency effect is expected to have Asia. The pattern was similar for tires for main the April 29 edition, headlined “Changes operating income for the quarter and posted a relatively favorable impact on segment oper- terials-handling and construction vehicles. are a-coming: Goodyear exec talks technology at Clemson,” Goodyear Chief Technology Of cer Chris Helsel was quoted as saying Volume 37, No. 3—Tire Business (ISSN 0746-9071) is published biweekly by 2 years; group rates available. Surface delivery—to Canada, 1 year—$107 (includes Crain Communications Inc. at 2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000, Cuyahoga Falls, GST); to all other countries, $119 per year. Four weeks notice required for change that Goodyear had established cooperative Ohio 44221. Periodicals postage paid at Akron and additional mailing of ces. of address. Single copy—$4. Canadian Post International Publications Mail Product projects with several advanced technology Postmaster: Send address changes to: Tire Business, Circulation Dept., 1155 Gratiot (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement #40012850, GST #136760444. Canadian companies, including Waymo. Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912. Subscription rates: U.S., $79—one year; $148— return address: 4960-2 Walker Road, Windsor, ON N9A6J3. Printed in U.S.A. Fit for your everyday journey ©2019 Hankook Tire America Hankook ©2019

Ultra-high-performance all-season tire

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Hankook Tire America Corp. 333 Commerce Street, Suite 600, Nashville, TN 37201 www.laufenn.com 6 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com OUR VIEW

Brennan Lafferty Brand new V.P./group publisher [email protected] • 313-446-6768 EDITORIAL STAFF P:330-836-9180 F:330-836-2831 world for tire David E. Zielasko V.P./publisher, Editorial director [email protected] • 330-865-6131 marketers Donald J. Detore Editor [email protected] • 330-865-6126 ow does a tire maker/tire importer/private Bruce Davis brander make its tires stand out in the Special projects reporter [email protected] • 330-865-6145 crowded Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 elds? H Miles D. Moore How do tire companies get vehicle owners to Senior Washington reporter remember their products when it comes time to [email protected] • 703-256-9275 replace the donuts on their vehicles? Kathy McCarron Reporter How does any tire brand/tire line, for that mat- [email protected] • 330-865-6127 ter, stand out from the 400+ brands sold in the Michael McCrady Art director/page designer U.S. and Canada? [email protected] • 330-865-6148 These are questions that vex tire companies Forum INTERNET STAFF constantly as they try and grow their tire lines in Erin Pustay Beaven the North America tire market, especially today Online content editor as price compression and increased competition [email protected] • 330-865-6106 Conti pursuing another Mark McCarron in the segments below Tier 1 make it harder for Digital coordinator companies to grab sales and maintain acceptable [email protected] • 330-865-6123 margins. avenue of opportunity PRODUCTION/IT STAFF Scott Merryweather Throw in the fact that the U.S. replacement pas- Media services manager senger and light truck tire markets have remained By Don Detore line and now with the General G-MAX Jus- [email protected] • 330-865-6104 generally at in recent years, and you can see the [email protected] tice, Conti has begun to ll out its portfo- Anthony DiPonio early a decade ago, the leadership lio, offering products in niche markets with Chief information of cer challenge all tire companies and tire marketers [email protected] • 313-446-1605 face. at Continental Tire The Americas growth potential. L.L.C. came to a difficult conclu- Returning to the police-pursuit market SALES STAFF That’s why we like the approach Tire Group N P:330-836-9180 F:330-836-1005 sion: The company didn’t have the product to was quite a process. According to Mr. Char- International L.L.C. (TGI) is taking as it enters Patrick Cannon compete for government and other national ity, Conti had to assemble the right team to Group sales director the U.S. market with a broadened lineup of Cos- account eet business. lead the effort — those with strong under- [email protected] • 313-916-1625 mo-branded tires. Over the span of the next eight years or so, standing of the business — and then produce Christine Zernick Instead of giving the new tires numerical identi- Sales director the American arm of German-based rubber the right products. [email protected] • 330-865-6108 cations or nondescript, hard-to-remember model and automotive giant Continental A.G. began As part of its efforts to reintroduce itself Bruce Miller names, it has purposely chosen amboyant moni- plotting a course that it hopes one day to the market, Conti has become Regional sales manager kers for the new UHP, SUV, SUV-UHP and M/T will position the tire maker among one of three approved suppliers by [email protected] • 313-737-6665 the top three competitors globally. the National Association of State John Hickey treads. Think about how easy it will be to remem- Sales manager ber names like Sexy Beast, Kitty Kat, Chubby That plan took on more shape Procurement Of cials (NASPO), a [email protected] • 260-437-8502 Nubby and El Jefe. during the recent Gold Trip for nonprofit cooperative purchasing Peter Bianchi Conti dealers in Cabo San Lucas, program that facilitates public-pro- Sales manager These are names so memorable you might talk [email protected] • 312-265-6484 about them at a cocktail party or bring up in con- Mexico. There, Conti executives an- curement solicitations and agree- nounced the release of the G-MAX ments using a lead-state model. Brooke Stender versation with friends, because they are funny, Classi ed sales representative Justice, General Tire’s entry into The designation became of cial on [email protected] •330-865-6117 descriptive, catchy. the competitive government agency April 1. Lori DiFrancesco TGI said it decided to go this route in naming business. Detore “We’ve never been on this list Sales and conference coordinator its new tires after conducting market research that Joe Maher, product manager for before,” Mr. Charity said. “We’re [email protected] • 330-865-6121 showed consumers are more apt to remember a passenger and winter tires in the U.S., told pretty excited about it.” MARKETING & EVENTS STAFF Sarah Arnold brand if they connect with it on a personal level. dealers the product was designed speci cally Feedback on the G-MAX Justice has been Marketing & events manager This is no doubt the same reason why the Miche- for police departments, government entities positive, thus far. And that has Conti of - [email protected] • 330-865-6169 lin baby ad campaigns of the past resonated so and law-enforcement agencies. Compared with cials believing their decision to re-enter this Sally Dietz a Tier 1 competitor, Mr. Maher said, the tire of- market has been the right one. Assistant trade show manager well with consumers. Who can resist a cute baby [email protected] • 330-865-6112 sitting in a tire? You don’t forget that. fers 15 percent better performance in wet brak- “We’re starting from a smaller base, so ing, cut and chip resistance, and road wear. we’re seeing some pretty signi cant growth,” AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT The Goodyear Aquatred from years ago also Jennifer Mosley Conti said the tire will t seven major police Mr. Charity said. “Over the next three years, Group director, Audience development resonated with consumers, who could easily re- pursuit vehicles, includ- we’ll start to see some [email protected] • 312-649-5312 member the name and also visualize the water ing three models each ‘We saw an opportunity step changes, and now For new subscriptions or change evacuation capabilities of the tire. from Ford and Chevrolet. that we’re on NASPO, of address write to: Circulation Department, Tire Business “We want to make the tire-buying experience “It will save agencies a couple of years ago to we’re really active on 1155 Gratiot Ave. memorable and fun for the consumer and our money through its lon- these bids. Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912 grow the business in a or call 877-320-1716 (U.S. and marketing will continually reinforce that,” TGI ger wear and durabili- “Over the next three Canada only) or 313-446-0450. President Joaquin Gonzalez, said. ty,” Mr. Maher said. couple of areas.’ to ve years, we’ll see FAX: 313-446-6777 More importantly, this activity ramp up.” email: [email protected] That’s a smart move in a replacement tire mar- Chris Charity, vice president of sales for Conti in an industry where The police-pursuit For single copy sales: ket lled with hundreds of quality brands. email: [email protected] One way to stand out is to give tires names cus- growth has been slow, it’s another step in Conti’s segment is one avenue Conti has targeted quest to expand market share. for growing market share. As Bill Caldwell, Reprints: tomers are likely to remember. Lauren Melesio It’s what tire makers must do to differ- vice president of sales and marketing, said, if [email protected] • 212-210-0707 entiate themselves in a time with so much the tire maker wants to run with the big boys, EXECUTIVE OFFICES disruption: Find opportunity out of the sur- it has to compete against them, too. 2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000, Letters to the Editor rounding chaos. “We’re now capable and ready to go in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221 “We saw an opportunity a couple of years other parts of businesses that we weren’t P:330-836-9180 F:330-836-2831 ago to grow the business in a couple of ar- really participating before and where the CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC eas,” Chris Charity, vice president of sales, Bridgestones and Goodyears of the world Tire Business encourages letters to the editor Keith E. Crain Mary Kay Crain told Tire Business. “One of those areas is to were more dominant,” he said. on any subject of interest to independent tire Chairman Vice chairman work with eets and national accounts, and “A dealer doesn’t want to switch to some- dealers. Send a letter to: Editor, Tire Business, KC Crain Chris Crain also in the government area.” thing that doesn’t t his business. We’re in a 2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000, Cuyahoga Falls, President Senior executive Mr. Charity called those opportunities better position today for a lot of that business vice president Ohio 44221. Letters also can be emailed to Lexie Crain “low-hanging fruit,” ripe for Conti’s picking. because we have the right product now, the Robert Recchia [email protected]. Armstrong Conti began “looking at the government side, right infrastructure in place to actually con- Secretary C h i e f n a n c i a l o f c e r Letters must be signed and may be edited for looking at local bid opportunities, working with quest those guys’ business, one for one.” G.D. Crain Jr. Gertrude R. Crain length and clarity. Please include a daytime dealers, listening to what needs they had in Founder Chairman phone number for veri cation purposes. Letters those areas,” Mr. Charity said. “Quite frankly, Mr. Detore is editor of Tire Business. He can be (1885-1973) (1911-1996) also may be published on TB’s website: we needed to have the right products.” reached via e-mail at [email protected]; 330-865- www.tirebusiness.com. With the release of the all-terrain Grabber 6126; Twitter: @dondetore. Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 7 AutomotiveService Establish, honor interim diagnostic deadlines By Dan Marinucci ume from a service department to [email protected] Dan Marinucci cure any and all ills. boss may establish interim is a freelance The auto repair facilities that I deadlines for technicians based automotive admire most — businesses that have Aon the time elapsed or on the service writer and thrived for at least 20 to 30 years or actual procedures performed. Some former editor of more — all make accountability a experimentation would determine two automotive company policy. which approach is better suited to a service magazines. In fact, they stress that employee particular service department. Updating the shop foreman with interim reports may help with time and costs. accountability is the foundation of The overall objective is prevent- sistent test procedures. the true cost of runaway repair jobs. their ongoing success. ing some diagnostic and repair jobs potentially runaway repair job. I doubt that there’s any perfect ap- Some bosses believe these forms of From there, I’ll let readers draw from getting out of hand — period. My pals told me that they prefer proach for every service department accountability would rein in or restrict their own conclusions. This describes a job that puts the interim updates based on specic out there. Mandated procedures al- their top-producing techs. Meanwhile, boss in a no-win situation because its test results because it’s more ef- ways consume a certain amount of some high-production techs abhor any Dan can be reached via e-mail at tirebusi- cost spiraled up beyond anyone’s ex- cient — not to mention keeps their time. But that said, this time invest- oversight. [email protected]. His previous columns are pectations — especially the customer’s. techs focused on agreed-upon, con- ment is a pittance compared with Simply put, they bank on pure vol- available at www.tirebusiness.com. Sure, the customer may pay this unexpectedly high bill, but then he or she bad-mouths the tire dealer or service shop to everyone in the neigh- borhood, emphasizing how much the bill exceeded the original estimate. The boss could opt to absorb a big loss by sticking to the original but inadequate job estimate, and the business may never recoup that loss. In my last column, I recommend- ed interim deadlines as a way to enhance accountability. This requires techs update a shop foreman or service manager at prescribed intervals. In turn, these progress reports enable a service manager or sales person to discuss unexpected costs to a vehicle owner now instead of later. Delaying the news of additional costs never improves customer relations. This interim deadline may man- date that a tech report back to a manager or foreman — however brie y — within the rst 30 minutes on the vehicle. The employee’s update may be, “Boss, the job looks straight forward at this point— no surprises.” Then again, the update may be, “Hold on, boss, because all that ex- haust hardware is rusted solid. And a core plug on the back of the engine block is seeping. How far are we authorized to go on this car?” Perhaps the tech reports that the most basic test procedures haven’t identied the cause of a diagnostic trouble code. Some managers and shop fore- men I know prefer job updates — interim reports — based wholly on the actual steps or procedures a tech actually performed instead of the time expended on those. Or, the tech must conscientious- ly complete a vehicle inspection checklist. These bosses continually groom and coach their techs to complete certain prescribed troubleshooting tasks or checklists rst. (They have dened these sets of tests as being proper shop procedure.) Then — and only then — does a tech update the foreman or service manager. Reduced Soil Compaction The tech’s interim report shows the results of the shop’s test proce- Higher load capacity dures for the particular vehicle and Less operating costs symptom at hand. Or it shows the inspection checklist. Maximum performance At the risk of emphasizing the Reliable Comfort obvious, this tech does not continue testing or replace any parts until a foreman or manager authorizes it. BKT USA Inc. Regardless of which “interim dead- 2660 West Market St., Suite 100 line” approach your business uses, Fairlawn (Akron) - OH 44333 this single step puts the brakes on a Toll free: (+1) 888-660-0662 - Ofﬁce: (+1) 330-836-1090 Fax: (+1) 330-836-1091 8 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com AutomotiveService Hunter: ‘Dif cult’ tire/wheel tments growing Hunter’s ‘Push Reports’ ST. LOUIS all diameters exceeding 30 inches. market and any special handling and/or The growth of low-pro le, run-at Assemblies such as these are re- equipment they might require. provide inspection data and larger-rim-diameter tires over the quiring more skill from technicians past 20 years has raised the bar in terms using conventional tire changers and ST. LOUIS return on investment,” said Alan of tire/wheel mounting and balancing traditional balancers, Hunter said. Hunter Engineering Co. has de- Hagerty, Hunter product manager, and the types of equipment and amount “New assemblies demand accuracy veloped a performance-driven tool noting the Push Reports option en- of training needed to service them. as well,” Pete Liebetreu, vice president of called Push Reports that provides hances the value of that equipment. According to data gathered by marketing, said. “They can be sensitive to shop managers with “actionable data” With Push Reports, shops can set Hunter Engineering Co., tire/wheel vibration and damage during service. automatically from their Hunter in- daily performance goals and identi- service work that falls under these cat- “The best equipment and best-equipped spection equipment. fy presented, achieved and missed egories now accounts for 73 percent shops are better able to handle these addi- This new autonomous inspection opportunities to better sell align- of the tments on U.S. consumer ve- tional requirements with easy-mounting, system is able to measure alignment and ments and tires, Hunter said. hicles, up from roughly 59 percent 10 damage-free tire changers and accurate, tire tread depth automatically, Hunter The app provides custom reports years ago and 40 percent 15 years ago. weight-ef cient, road force-capable bal- said, allowing shops to check every ve- that can be pushed via text or email, Hunter de nes low-pro les as 45 ancers.” hicle that comes through their doors. allowing managers and owners to see series or lower, large diameters as rim Hunter has developed a “Tire Chang- “Shops are investing in inspection shop performance and utilization of diameters exceeding 20 inches and er Decision Guide” that assess the Hunter Engineering Co. data show equipment that provides the best their Hunter inspection systems. heavy assemblies as those with over- range of tire/wheel combinations on the growth of dif cult tire/wheel tments. ASA partners with Podium for online reputation tool

BOISE, Idaho Software provider ASA Automotive Systems Inc. is partnering with consumer communications platform Po- dium Corp. Inc. to help dealers using ASA software interact with customers and build their online reputation through reviews. Podium’s interaction management platform and online reputation management tools are available for companies running ASA’s TireMaster, TireMaster GTX and TireMaster Enterprise Soft- ware. With the tire and auto service industry operating in an extremely competitive market, dealers must build their online reputations, Dave Vogel, general manager of ASA Automotive Systems, said. “By automating online review invitations, dealers can text review invites to review their dealership to customers who recently completed a transaction,” Mr. Vogel said. “This is when review invitations are most likely to become reviews. “The Podium integration will save dealers time as well as improve trust through ‘digital word of mouth’ by increasing the number of online reviews on Google and Facebook that customers use when deciding where to buy tires or get a service job done from,” he said. According to ASA, Podium’s platform allows dealers to interact with THE RULES OF THE ROAD ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN. customers across channels, providing Atturo offers quality off-road tires and performance tires speciﬁcally designed for SUV, crossover and dealers insight into what customers are saying online. 4x4 vehicles. Our tires are manufactured in Taiwan and Thailand and provide an aggressive look with All text, Facebook Messenger, Goo- impressive performance. Explore the lineup and see how you can Go Your Own Way with Atturo Tires. gle Click-to Message and Webchat messages are delivered to one inbox, For more information visit ATTURO.COM/TIRES or email [email protected] giving dealers the chance to respond directly, ASA said. They can have con- versations live in their Podium account. James Baxter, owner of Neigh- borhood Tire Pros in Decatur, Ga., said that with the integration of Lehi, Utah-based Podium and ASA Tiremaster, “We’ve seen a 500- to 600-percent monthly increase in the number of Google and Facebook reviews given by our customers, and a substantial increase in our star rating. “The two-way messaging system that Podium offers is the best in the industry and is the perfect complement to all the features and excellent support we enjoy from ASA.” www.tirebusiness.com/bestplaces LESS THAN 1 WEEK UNTIL NOMINATIONS DEADLINE OF MAY 17

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tirebusiness.com 10 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Covering ag, import, associate and private brands TGI broadening Cosmo portfolio ahead of U.S. launch By Bruce Davis to 275/65R18 and T and H speed ratings; [email protected] • Sexy Beast — 12 sizes ranging from 265/R20 MIAMI XL to 305/3rR24 XL and H and V speed ratings; Tire Group International L.L.C. (TGI) is • Kitty Kat — ve W speed-rated sizes rang- broadening the portfolio of its Cosmo brand ing from 225/35R20 XL to 275/40R20 XL; and — adding UHP, SUV, SUV-UHP and M/T • Chubby Nubby — ve Q speed-rated sizes patterns — as it gears up to launch the brand ranging from 33x12.5R20LT to 33x12.5R24LT. to U.S. customers. TGI describes the El Jefe as a tire with wide The new lines will carry some rather un- footprint and high-mileage compound; the orthodox names — Sexy Beast UHP, Kitty Sexy Beast UHP as having a “sleek, stream- Kat SUV UHP, Chubby Nubby M/T and El lined pattern” for a quiet high-performance Jefe H/T SUV — thanks to market research ride; the Kitty Kat SUV-UHP as having an TGI conducted that revealed that consumers asymmetric tread pattern for “exceptional” are more apt to remember a brand if they con- cornering and braking characteristics; and nect with it on a personal level. Tire Group International is introducing several new tire lines, including Chubby Nubby, left, and said the Chubby Nubby gets its name from its The new product names play off the Cosmo Sexy Beast UHP, right, with names that it hopes consumers will nd easy to remember. wide base and “aggressive” reinforced shoul- brand’s Tiger logo/mascot. ders and heavy-duty sidewalls. TGI launched Cosmo in 1994, initially as Wheeler said. Business will be containerload only at rst, The new lines are produced primarily in a bias-ply light truck tire brand, and has mar- “Cosmo is positioning itself to raise the bar Mr. Wheeler said, although TGI will monitor Thailand by Zhongce Rubber (Thailand) Co. keted it predominantly to its Latin American/ when it comes to marketing a product that for the brand’s progress closely to determine if or Ltd., TGI said. Caribbean customer base since while adding most people is viewed as foreign and an un- when domestic distribution would make sense. Mr. Wheeler joined TGI recently after 25 radial passenger, light truck, medium truck, appreciated necessity,” TGI President Joaquin TGI anticipates building the brand slow- years’ experience with Goodyear, Michelin etc. lines. Gonzalez said. ly but steadily in the North America/TCi Tire Centers and Kum- The Miami-based wholesaler expand- “We want to make ‘We want to make the tire-buy- U.S., Mr. Wheeler said, ho Tire USA Inc. He’s responsible for sales, ed the brand’s reach last the tire-buying expe- stressing the strategy marketing and customer service teams for the year to Europe and now rience memorable and ing experience will be “quality over North American market. has started to market it fun for the consumer quantity” in terms of Cosmo is one of TGI’s six proprietary throughout the U.S., ac- and our marketing memorable and fun for the establishing and build- brands; the others are Astro, Atlas, Industar, cording to Rick Wheeler, will continually rein- consumer, and our marketing ing relationships with Luna and Orion. It has a sales of ces in Tam- who was hired earlier this force that.” customers. pa in addition to its headquarters in Miami. year as vice president of Mr. Wheeler said will continually reinforce that.’ Parallel to the rm’s This is TGI’s second attempt at launching a national sales, a newly cre- TGI’s strategy with Joaquin Gonzalez, TGI president efforts to build a dis- brand in the U.S. Two years ago it re-launched ated position. the Cosmo brand will tributor base, TGI is the Atlas brand of passenger, light truck and The new tires are de- be to build partnerships with targeted small planning a nationwide consumer marketing commercial tires — a brand launched origi- Wheeler signed to provide low noise, to mid-sized independent dealers looking for campaign targeting the millennial, female and nally in the 1930s by Standard Oil but which low rolling resistance and “exceptional” perfor- a quality Tier 3 product. The U.S. launch will Hispanic demographics. had been dormant since the late 1990s — with mance with “activated grip” technology, TGI focus on passenger, SUV and light truck t- The new lines are available now, TGI said, an extensive nostalgia-themed marketing said. The brand will be marketed and priced ments, Mr. Wheeler said, but eventually could in the following size ranges: campaign, featuring posters and video clips of as a premium Tier 3 entry-level product, Mr. include the commercial truck products as well. • El Jefe – 14 sizes ranging from 215/70R16 Atlas advertising from the 1960s and 1970s. Ex-Zafco exec secures OTR Quiet year for branding deals for wholesale firm Mergers, acquisitions highlight year; By Bruce Davis Giti to revitalize GT Radial brand [email protected] By Bruce Davis introduce new products every year out of this JACKSONVILLE, Fla. [email protected] plant,” Giti North America CEO Tim Fulton Former Zafco International and Martino n terms of branding trends, the past said during a recent media tour of the plant. Tire & Auto executive Minoo Mehta is ramp- year was relatively quiet for the North The plant, Giti’s most state-of-the-art fa- ing up the scale of the wholesale distribution IAmerican tire industry. cility worldwide, is producing about 8,000 company he opened in 2015, by securing U.S. Changes in branding came primarily via tires per day now with an eventual capacity distribution rights to Pirelli-brand farm and the merger/acquisition route — think Group for 10 million tires per year. OTR and Magna-brand OTR tires. Michelin’s takeover of Camso Inc. and its Giti also is making plans for wider distri- The company, Jacksonville-based Tires Di- basket of brand names — or shifts in re- bution of its Giti brand, which for now is pri- rect Wholesale, recently opened a warehouse sponsibility for speci c brands in the wake marily being used as an OE-dedicated line. in Atlanta and plans to open another in Dallas of rising U.S. import duties on products from Other changes involving tire branders before mid-year and in Florida before year- China. over the past year include: end, Mr. Mehta said. Among the more notable initiatives is • CEAT Specialty Tires Inc. adding the The warehouses will complement the rm’s Tire Group International’s plan to broaden Altura OTR brand as an associate brand existing distribution centers in Houston, Los its base beyond Latin America/the Carib- alongside its agship CEAT farm and OTR Angeles and Jacksonville. bean into the U.S. by adapting its Cosmo brand. The company is sourcing the Pirelli farm brand to include sizes and types for North • Gus Lima and Marco Zingi, principals and OTR tires from Prometeon Tyre Group American tastes and conditions. See more of Oriente Triangle Latin America Inc., se- operations in Brazil. Magna produces its complete story on this page. cured a deal with Turkey’s Petlas Tire Corp. OTR tires at a plant in the Netherlands and Giti Tire USA recently announced plans for North American distribution rights to via third-party manufacturers in China and to revitalize the GT Radial brand in North the Petlas brand. To prepare for the deal Thailand. America, starting with new products in sev- Oriente Triangle set up a new company, The company offers both container-direct eral key market segments, including grand Oriente Tire USA L.L.C. in Miami, and shipping and smaller shipments from its U.S. touring, light truck/SUV and medium com- named David Halldane sales director. warehouses, Mr. Mehta said, moving on av- mercial. While the new company exists, the prin- erage about eight containers a day in and out Tire Business photo by Bruce Davis The company, part of Singapore-head- cipals involved don’t expect tires to be of each warehouse in the growing distribution Former Zafco International and Martino Tire quartered Giti Tire Group, is banking on the available on a broad basis until 2020. network. & Auto executive Minoo Mehta has secured growing tire capacity at its Richburg, S.C., • Prinx Chengshan Tire Co. Ltd. — a Tires Direct Wholesale built its business U.S. distribution rights to Pirelli-brand farm plant to be the foundation for this initiative. former Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. joint SEE WHOLESALE, PAGE 11 and OTR and Magna-brand OTR tires. “We have plans over the next ve years to SEE BRANDING , PAGE 11 Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 11 Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport the new company. its name to SWT Americas L.L.C., page 10. surface in the past year include: Branding • St. Louis Wholesale Tire Inc. also in reference to Speedways Rubber • Aftermarket diesel pickup truck • East Coast International Tire CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 struck a deal with Petlas to become Co., the Indian tire maker that sup- modi ers Diesel Power Gear L.L.C. Group Co. Inc., based in Maspeth, venture — set up a U.S. sales of ce, the exclusive U.S. distributor for the plies much of SWT’s farm, OTR and — a.ka. the “Diesel Brothers” — N.Y., and handling Annaite truck Prinx Chengshan North America Inc., Turkish tire maker’s Starmaxx-brand industrial tire product portfolio and jumped into the tire game with the tires and Farroad and Wanli-brand in the Los Angeles area late last year ag and industrial-brand tires. is considered a corporate partner. launch of the “Legion” brand, built passenger and light truck tires. to support the launch of a new truck The St. Louis-based nationwide The Aledo, Texas-based company by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. • Fury Off Road Tires & Wheels and bus tire brand in North America. distributor of specialty tires and in- is developing a new website — www. • Michelin North America Inc. in Coppell, Texas, handling Fu- The company tentatively indicated it ner tubes is in the process of lining swtamericas.com — which will link is refreshing the look of its Uniroy- ry-brand tires and wheels, predom- would use its Fortune brand here but up new distributors in geographic re- to the Speedways corporate site once al-brand tiger mascot. See more inantly in the extreme (large diame- said other names were being consid- gions for the brand, which it called the it’s launched. The company is devel- complete story on page 20. ter) light truck segment. ered. “best-kept secret” in the ag industrial oping growth plans, but they are not • Continental Tire the Americas has A number of companies active in The imposition by the U.S. of el- tire world. expected to take effect until 2020, a begun using its Viking brand — sel- tire importing and/or distribution ei- evated import duties on truck tires • Sutong China Tire Resources company spokesperson said. dom used in the U.S. but well-known ther faded from existence or went into from China earlier this year, however, Inc. — importer of the Caraway, • Tires Direct Wholesale, a grow- in Europe as a winter tire product — hibernation this past year, including: has prompted Prinx Chengshan to de- Cavalry, Hemisphere, Hi-Run, Long ing Jacksonville, Fla.-based whole- for a new line of winter tires launched ITA, a tire distribution arm of Ito- lay the launch until it can get a plant March, Lande, Pinnace and Road saler, jumped into the branding are- recently for the 2019-20 winter sea- chu International; ITG Voma Corp., it is building in Malaysia on stream, One brands — deleted “China” na by securing deals to import and son. Conti acquired the Viking name which handled the Capitol and other according to John Aben, the former from its name, opting instead to go distribute Pirelli-brand farm and in 1983 with its takeover of Norwe- brands from China; and International Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. and Nexen Tire to market as Sutong Tire Resources. OTR tires and Magna-brand OTR gian tire maker Viking Tyres. Tires L.L.C., which handled a number America Inc. executive hired to set up • Route 66 Tire & Rubber changed tires. See more complete story on Some other new companies to of OTR brands. Wholesale CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 prior to securing the Pirelli and Magna deals by selling a wide range of medium truck tires, including major brands such as Bridgestone, COUNT ON PROVEN EXCELLENCE. Goodyear, Michelin and Toyo, along with import brands Haida, Kapsen and Windpower. It now also handles Pirelli-brand truck tires for customers in Florida COUNT ON SUMITOMO. and Texas, Mr. Mehta said, along with Magna’s growing line of truck tires. He’s in negotiations to add other brands as well, he told Tire Busi- ness. Mr. Mehta, who was the gener-

al manager of Zafco from 2012-15, also is running a second business, Tire Super Centers (TSC), a Jackson- ville-based dealership with ve commercial truck tire centers in Florida and one in Georgia. Mr. Mehta bought this business about three years ago and has added four locations since taking it over. While primarily servicing commercial accounts, the TSC locations also sell passenger tires and perform maintenance and repair work on

cars and light trucks. Mr. Mehta said he’s looking to Becoming an outstanding commercial tire brand requires excellence in all areas, not just one. add more locations to this business, as well. Sumitomo’s product quality, application coverage and ll rate were ranked in the Top 3 by Since leaving Zafco in 2015, Mr. nearly 600 dealers in the last 3 Tire Review annual surveys.* Count on proven excellence, Mehta has been active with Tire Consultants Group, an enterprise count on Sumitomo. Learn more at SumitomoTruckTires.com. that provides sales, branding, advertising, marketing and operational *Survey conducted by Marketplace Insights on behalf of Tire Review support to tire dealers, wholesalers, for its 2018 Brand Study (August 2018 Sourcebook issue). manufacturers and other interested parties in North America, Prior to joining Zafco/Martino Tire in 2012, he worked for ATV Inc./American Tire Depot and Dis- count Tire Centers in California for nearly 15 years. For what drives you. 12 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com

Tire Business Special Feature 2019 TireBrandsReport Brands at a glance Brand ...... Company Corsa ...... Omni United USA inc. Goodyear3 ...... Titan International Inc. Mastercraft ...... Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Accelera ...... Zafco International L.L.C. Cosmo ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. Goodyear (v) ...... Kelsey Tire Inc. Mastertrack...... Unicorn Tire Corp. Achilles ...... Achilles Tires USA Inc. Crop Max ...... American Omni Trading Co. Grassmaster ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Maxam ...... Maxam Tire North America Inc. Advance* (OTR) ...... GTC North America Crosswind ...... TBC Corp. Greatway ...... Super Tire Inc. Maximizer ...... McLaren Industries Inc. Advance* (truck/bus) ...... TBC Corp. CST ...... Maxxis International-USA Green Max ...... Linglong Americas Inc. Maximo ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Advanta ...... American Paci c Industries Inc. Cultor ...... Mitas Tires North America Inc. Green+ ...... Active Green+ Ross Tire & Automotive Inc.-Agricultural & Forestry Division Aeolus ...... Alliance Tire Americas Inc. Daewoo ...... Daewoo International (America) Corp. Greenball ...... Greenball Corp. Maxxis ...... Maxxis International-USA Aeolus ...... Dynamic Tire Corp. Dakota ...... Super Tire Inc. Grenlander ...... Horizon Tire Inc. Mayrun ...... WTD Wholesale Tire Distributors Aoteli ...... Janak Global Enterprises Inc. Dargoltz ...... Stephanie Tires Corp. Groundspeed ...... Sentury Tire USA Mesa ...... Big O Tires L.L.C./TBC Corp. Ag-Pro...... Penn Tire Co. Dawg Pound ...... East Bay Tire Co. GT Radial ...... Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. Metzeler ...... Pirelli Tire L.L.C. Agristorm ND2 ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Dayton ...... Bridgestone Americas Inc. Guardsman Plus ...... Sears Tire Group Michelin...... Michelin North America Inc. Agro Land ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Dcenti ...... Dcenti Tire Inc. Hankook ...... Hankook Tire America Corp. Mickey Thompson ...... Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc. Air-Loc ...... St. Louis Wholesale Tire Deestone ...... American Omni Trading Co. Hartford ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Milemax ...... Armadillo Tire L.L.C. Air Ryde ...... Global Rubber Industries D e n i t y ...... Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack Hartland ...... Discount Tire Co. Inc. Milepro ...... Super Tire Inc. Alliance...... Alliance Tire Americas Inc. (Yokohama) Delinte ...... Sentury Tire USA Harvest King ...... TBC Corp. Milestar ...... Tireco Inc. Altura ...... CEAT Specialty Tires Inc. Delium ...... Penn Tire Co. Heatmaster ...... OTR Wheel Engineering INc. Mirada ...... TBC Corp. American1 ...... Specialty Tires of America Inc. Delta ...... TBC Corp. Hemisphere ...... Sutong China Tire Resources Inc. Mitas ...... Mitas Tires North America Inc. American Classic* ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Denman ...... Lucas Classic Tires Hercules .... Hercules Tire / American Tire Distributors MITL ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas American Classic* ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Dextero ...... Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. Heritage ...... Sure Tire Co. Inc.-Industrial Division American Tourer ...... Omni United USA Inc. Diamondback ...... Dynamic Tire Corp. Hi-Fly ...... Unicorn Tire Corp. Mobile Trac ...... Allied Tire & Wheel Americus ...... American Omni Trading Co. Dick Cepek ...... Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc. Hilo ...... Leviathan Corp./OTRUSA.com MOMO...... MOMO Tires America Ameritrail ...... Allied Tire & Wheel DieHard ...... Sears Tire Group Hi-Run ...... Sutong China Tire Resources Inc. Monarch ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Amerityre ...... Amerityre Corp. Dobermann* ...... Dobermann Tire Corp. Hixih ...... Hixih Rubber Industry Group Inc.-Industrial Division Amp ...... The Wheel Group Dobermann* ...... Tube & Solid Tire Ltd. Hoosier ...... Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. Motomaster ...... Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. Annaite ...... East Coast Intl. Tire Group Doral ...... TBC Corp. Indus ...... MRL Tyres USA Inc. MRF ...... Tyres International Inc. Antares ...... Horizon Tire Inc. Double Coin .... China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. Industar ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. MRL ...... MRL Tyres USA Inc. A-Plus ...... Super Tire Inc. Douglas ...... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Innova ...... Achieva Rubber Corp. Mudshark ...... OTR Wheel Enginereing Inc. Apollo ...... Apollo Vredestein Tires Inc. DRC ...... Sonny Bosco Inc. IROK ...... Interco Tire Corp. Multi-Mile ...... TBC Corp. Arisun ...... ZC Rubber America Inc. Dunlop2 ...... Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Ironhead ...... Sailun-Jinyu International Nanco ...... Tireco Inc. Arizonian ...... Discount Tire Co. Inc. Dunlop2 ...... Sumitomo Rubber North America L.L.C. Ironman ...Hercules Tire / American Tire Distributors Nankang ...... Tireco Inc. Armadillo ...... Armadillo Tire L.L.C. Dunlop (v) ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Isdaka ...... Stephanie Tires Corp. National ...... TBC Corp. Armstrong ...... Armstrong Tire L.L.C. (Zafco) Duramas ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. ITL ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Net Gear ...... ABC Tire Group Inc. Arroyo ...... WTD Wholesale Tire Distributors Duramax ...... Sentry Tire & Rubber L.L.C. Inc.-Industrial Division Neuton ...... YHI International / Konig Wheels Aspen ...... Big O Tires L.L.C./TBC Corp. Duraturn ...... YC Rubber Co. (North America) L.L.C. ITP ...... Carlstar Group L.L.C. Nexen ...... Nexen Tire America Inc. Astro ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. Duro ...... Duro Tire & Wheel JK ...... Lucy’s Tire Americas Nexen Solid ...... Professional Industrial Tire Co. Atlas* ...... Linglong Americas Inc. Durun ...... Unicorn Tire Corp. Joyroad ...... Janak Global Enterprises Inc. Nika ...... Vee Rubber America Inc. Atlas* ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. Dynacargo ...... TBC Corp. Judoka ...... Janak Global Enterprises Inc. Nitto ...... Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. Atturo ...... Atturo Tire Corp. Dynamaxx ...... Maxam Tire North America Inc. K-9* ...... Tube & Solid Tire Ltd. Nokian ...... Nokian Tyres Inc. Aurora ...... Hankook Tire America Corp. Dynamo ...... Dynamic Tire Corp. K-9* ...... Dobermann Tire Corp. Nordman ...... Nokian Tyres Inc. Avon (v) ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Dynastar ...... China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. Kanati ...... Greenball Corp. Nu-Air ...... McLaren Industries Inc. Avon ...... Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc. DynaTrac ... Hercules Tire (American Tire Distributors) Kapsen ...... Foreign Tire Sales Inc. Nutech ...... American Omni Trading Co. Barum ...... Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. Dynatrail ...... China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. Kapsen^ ...... Milestone Tire Canada Corp. Ohtsu ...... Sumitomo Rubber North America L.L.C. Barum ...... Discount Tire Co. Inc. Eclat ...... Armadillo Tire L.L.C. Karrier ...... American Kenda Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd. Omni Cargo ...... American Omni Trading Co. Bedford ...... Lucas Classic Tires Eldorado ...... TBC Corp. Kelly ...... Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Omni Trail ...... American Omni Trading Co. Bergougnan.....Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Ensign ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Kenda ...... American Kenda Rubber Industries. Onyx ...... Unicorn Tire Corp...... Inc.-Industrial Division Evergreen ...... Milestone Tire Canada Corp. Co. Ltd. Orca ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas BFGoodrich ...... Michelin North America Inc. Evolux ...... Linglong Americas Inc. Kilomax ...... Armadillo Tire L.L.C. Inc.-Industrial Division BFGoodrich* (v) ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Excelsior ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Kingforest^ ...... Milestone Tire Canada Corp. Orion ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. BFGoodrich* (v) ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Exmile ...... Armadillo Tire L.L.C. Kolsan ...... Taray International Corp. Otani ...... Foreign Tire Sales Inc. Big O ...... Big O Tires L.L.C. /TBC Corp. EZ Load ...... Tires International Corp. Koryo ...... Altila Tire L.L.C. Outrigger ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. BKT ...... BKT USA Inc. Falken ...... Sumitomo Rubber North America L.L.C. Kumho ...... Kumho Tire USA Inc. Ozka ...... Taray International Corp. BlackBear ...... Tri-Ace Wheel & Tire Corp. Farm Boy ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Lancaster ...... Statewide Tires Inc. Pantera ...... Sentury Tire USA Blacklion^ ...... Sailun-Jinyu International Farroad ...... East Coast Intl. Tire Group Lande ...... Sutong Tire Resources Inc. (distributed by Tire Alliance Group) Blacklion* ...... Dynamic Tire Corp. Federal...... Federal Tire North America Inc. Landsail ...... Sentury Tire USA Path nder ...... Discount Tire Co. Inc. Blockley ...... Lucas Classic Tires Firestone ...... Bridgestone Americas Inc. Laufenn ...... Hankook Tire America Corp. Patriot...... Omni United USA Inc. Blue Star ...... China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. Firestone (v) ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Laugfs ...... Laugfs USA L.L.C. Paydirt ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Boto ...... Penn Tire Co. Forceum ...... Zafco International L.L.C. Leao ...... Linglong Americas Inc. Payload ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Brawler ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Formula ...... Prometeon Tyre Group Commercial LeMans ...... Bridgestone Americas Inc. PeakMaster ...... Global Rubber Industries ...... Inc.-Industrial Division ...... Solutions L.L.C. Legion ...... Diesel Power Gear L.L.C. Petlas ...... Oriente TIre USA L.L.C. Bridgestone ...... Bridgestone Americas Inc. Fortune ...... Prinx Chengshan Tire North America Lester ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Phantom ...... Discount Tire Co. Inc. Buckshot ...... Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc. Freedom Hauler ...... Transamerica Tire Co. Ltd. Lexani ...... Lexani Tires Worldwide Inc. Phoenix ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Cambertire ...... Cambertire L.L.C. Freestar ...... Tireco Inc. Lightning ...... Lexani Tires Worldwide Inc. Pinnacle ...... Sutong Tire Resources Inc. Cambridge ...... Vee Tyre & Rubber Co. Fuel ...... Fuel Off Road Inc. Linglong ...... Linglong Americas Inc. Pirelli (consumer) ...... Pirelli Tire L.L.C. Camso ...... Camso Inc. Fury ...... Fury Off Road Tires & Wheels Lionhart ...... Turbo Wholesale Tires Inc. Pirelli (commercial) ...... Prometeon Tyre Group Caraway ...... Sutong Tire Resources Inc. Futura ...... Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack Litefoot ...... OTR Wheel Enginering Inc. Commercial Solutions L.L.C. Carlisle ...... Carlstar Group L.L.C. Fuzion ...... Bridgestone Americas Inc. Loadstar ...... American Kenda Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd. Pirelli (farm, OTR) ...... Tires Direct Wholesale Casumina ...... U.S. Tirex Inc. Galaxy ...... Alliance Tire Americas Inc. Long March ...... Sutong Tire Resources Inc. Pirelli Cinturato (v) ...... Lucas Classic Tires Cavalry ...... Sutong Tire Resources Inc. G a r e l d ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Longstone ...... Lucas Classic Tires Pit Bull ...... Pit Bull Tire Co. Ceat* ...... CEAT Specialty Tires Inc. GBC Motorsports ...... Greenball Corp. Lucas ...... Lucas Classic Tires Power King ...... TBC Corp. Ceat* ...... Tyres International Inc. General ...... Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. Luna ...... Tire Group International L.L.C. Premium Sport ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Centennial ...... Greenball Corp. Geostar ...... Tireco Inc. M&H Racemaster ...... Interco Tire Corp. Primewell ...... Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. Coach Master ...... International Tires 1 L.L.C. Ginelli ...... Dcenti Tire Inc. Magna ...... Tires Direct Wholesale Primex ...... Alliance Tire Americas Inc. Coker Classic ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Giti ...... Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. Maine Tire ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Pro Comp ...... Pro Competition Tires, Wheels & Constellation ...... Alliance Tire Americas Inc. Gladiator ...... American Paci c Industries Inc. Inc.-Industrial Division Suspension Co. Inc. Continental ....Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. Globe Guard ...... Global Rubber Industries Malhotra ...... MRL Tyres USA Inc. Pro Trac ...... Coker Tire Co. Inc. Convoy ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Globe Star ...... Global Rubber Industries Marastar ...... Carlstar Group L.L.C. ProMeter ...... Foreign Tire Sales Inc. Cooper ...... Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Gold Partner...... Dcenti Tire Inc. Marcher ...... Stephanie Tires Corp. Radar ...... Omni United USA Inc. Copartner ...... Janak Global Enterprises Inc. Golden West ...... Allied Tire & Wheel Mark-Ma ...... Tri-Ace Wheel & Tire Corp. RBP ...... Lexani Tire Worldwide Inc. Cornell ...... Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack Goodyear3 ...... Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Master ...... Countrywide Tire & Rubber Inc. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 13

Tire Business Special Feature 2019 TireBrandsReport Brands at a glance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Solid Maxx ...... B.I.T. Tires Traction Master ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Waterfall ...... Horizon Tire Inc. RDR ...... Dcenti Tire Inc. Solid Solver... Mitchell Industrial Tire Co. Inc. (MITCO) Trail nder ...... Discount Tire Co. Inc. Wearmaster ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Brand ...... Company Solidmax ...... World Wide Distribution Inc. Trail Xtreme ...... Allied Tire & Wheel Westlake* (P/LT) ...... Tireco Inc. Regency ...... Bridgestone Americas Inc. Sotera ...... Horizon Tire Inc. Trailer King II ST ...... TBC Corp. Westlake* (Truck/OTR) ...... Tyres International Inc. Road Hugger ...... Discount Tire Inc. Speedways ...... Omni United USA Inc. Transeagle ...... Transamerica Tire Co. Ltd. Wide Track Solids ...... Professional Industrial Tire Co. Road Pioneer ...... World Wide Distribution Inc. STA ...... Specialty Tires of America Inc. Transporter ...... Penn Tire Co. Windforce ...... WTD Wholesale Tire Distributors Roadhandler ...... Sears Tire Group Star re ...... Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Travelstar ...... Unicorn Tire Corp. Windpower^ ...... Dynamic Tire Corp. RoadLux ...... Omni United USA Inc. Starmaxx ...... St. Louis Wholesale Tire Treadstar ...... Allied Tire & Wheel Windpower ...... World Wide Distribution Inc. Roadmaster ...... Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Sumitomo ...... TBC Corp. Treadura ...... Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc. Winrun ...... WTD Wholesale Tire Distributors RoadOne ...... Sutong China Tire Resources Inc. Summit ...... Sure Tire Co. Trelleborg ...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Wizzard ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Roadshine ...... Stephanie Tires Corp. Sunfull ...... Unicorn Tire Corp. Inc.-Industrial Division Workforce ...... ABC Tire Group Inc. RoadX ...... Sailun-Jinyu International Sunstone ...... Stephanie Tires Corp. Trelleborg...... Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas XPT ...... Global Rubber Industries RoadX^ ...... Dynamic Tire Corp. Super A ...... Super Tire Inc. Inc.-Agricultural & Forestry Division YKS ...... Foreign Tire Sales Inc. Rodaco ...... Camso Inc. Super Solid ...Mitchell Industrial Tire Co. Inc. (MITCO) Tri-Ace ...... Tri-Ace Wheel & Tire Corp. Yokohama ...... Yokohama Tire Corp. Route 66 Hot Rod UHP ...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Super Swamper ...... Interco Tire Corp. Triangle ...... Triangle Tires USA L.L.C. Zeetex...... Zafco International L.L.C. Royal Black ...... Super Tire Inc. Super Trac RBT ...... Allied Tire & Wheel Ultimate XT ...... Global Rubber Industries Zenna ...... American Paci c Industries Inc. Royalton ...... Lucas Classic Tires Super Trail...... Allied Tire & Wheel Uniroyal ...... Michelin North America Inc. Zeta ...... World Wide Distribution Inc. Rubbermaster ...... Countrywide Tire & Rubber Supermax...... Horizon Tire Inc. Universal ...... Universal Vintage Tire Co. Zero-T ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Rydanz ...... Horizon Tire Inc. Sure-Trac ...... Lucy’s Tire Americas Valkyrie ...... B.I.T. Tires 350/440 Mag ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Saf ro ...... WTD Wholesale Tire Distributors SWT...... SWT Americas L.L.C. Vee ...... Vee Rubber America Inc. Sahara Classic ...... Excel Tire & Wheel Corp. Synergy ...... Sutong Tire Resources Inc. Veento ...... Vee Rubber America Inc. * — indicates two or more rms share rights to Sailun^...... Dynamic Tire Corp. the brand; ^ — marketed in Canada by the com- TBB ...... Statewide Tires Inc. Venezia...... American Omni Trading Co. Sailun ...... TBC Corp. pany indicated; (v) — vintage version of the brand; Terra Raider ...... Penn Tire Co. Venom Power ...... Transamerica Tire Co. Ltd. 1 — Specialty Tires uses the ‘American’ name for Samson* ...... GTC North America Thunderer ...... American Omni Trading Co. Vercelli ...... American Omni Trading Co. a range of products — e.g., American Farmer, Samson* ...... TBC Corp. Tiber ...... Tyres International Inc. Verizon ...... ABC Tire Group Inc. American Racer, etc.; 2 — Goodyear controls the Sceptor ...... TBC Corp. Dunlop brand in North America for passenger, light Tiron ...... Leviathan Corp./OTRUSA.com Viking ...... Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. Security ...... Brand Inc. and medium truck, replacement and OE, except for Titan ...... Titan International Inc. Vitour ...... World Wide Distribution Inc. supplying OE tires to U.S. or Canadian assembly Semperit ...... Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. Tomahawk ...... OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Vogue ...... Vogue Tyre & Rubber Co. plants of Japanese car makers. Sumitomo Rubber Sentry ...... Sentry Tire & Rubber L.L.C. Tow-Master ...... Greenball Corp. Vredestein ...... Apollo Vredestein Tires Inc. North America controls the Japanese transplant OE Sentury ...... Sentury Tire USA supply rights plus all rights regarding motorcycle Towmax STRII...... TBC Corp. Wards Riverside ...... Lucas Classic Tires Solar ...... TBC Corp. tires. 3 — Titan controls the rights to use the Good- Toyo ...... Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Wanli ...... East Coast Intl. Tire Group year name on agricultural tires in the Americas and Solideal ...... Camso Inc. Trac-Gard ...... Tireco Inc. Warrior ...... China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. Europe. 14 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Private brand marketers Directory of private brand marketers NOTE: This directory shows marketers of Brand: Nutech; Mfr: Deestone, Thailand [MTB] Brand: Atturo; Mfrs: Federal Corp., Taiwan; Fax: 423-756-5607 Web: www.discounttireco.com various private label tires — brands owned/ Brand: Thunderer; Mfr: Deestone, Thailand [P, Svizz One Corp., Thailand [HP, LTR, STR] Email: [email protected] Brand: Arizonian; Mfr: N.A. [P, LTR] controlled by the company listed but manu- HP, LTR, MTR, STR] Web: www.cokertire.com Brand: Path nder; Mfr: N.A. [P, LTR] factured under contract by a third party or Brand: Venezia; Mfrs: Qindgao Sentury; B.I.T. Tires Brand: American Classic; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Phantom; Mfr: N.A. [P] parties. Where known, brands' manufac- LingLong, China [P, HP] 1104 Century St., Springdale, Ark. 72762 Brand: BFGoodrich; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Road Hugger; Mfr: N.A. [P] turers and/or countries of origin are shown. Brand: Vercelli; Mfrs: Qingdao Sentury, China; Jason Caldwell, manager Brand: Coker Classic; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Trail nder; Mfr. N.A. [P, LTR] Companies that distribute both private and LingLong, China, Thailand [P, HP] Phone: 800-248-0612 Brand: Excelsior; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] import brands are marked with an asterisk Fax: 479-750-9403 Brand: Firestone; Mfr: Specialty TIres of Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc. (*) to denote they appear in both the import American Pacific Industries Inc. Email: [email protected] America, U.S. [P-vintage] P.O. Box 720, Batesville, Miss. 38606 and private brand marketer directories. 8320 E. Hartford Drive, Scottsdale, Ariz. Web: www.bittires.com Brand: Gar eld; Mfr: N.A. [vintage] Eric Snellgrove, Sales manager 85255 Brand: Solid Maxx; Mfr: N.A. [IND, F/I-B, Brand: Hartford; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Phone: 662-563-7601 Active Green+ Ross Tire & Barry Littrell, COO F/I-R, OTR] Brand: Phoenix; Mfr: N.A. [Racing] Fax: 662-563-4157 Automotive Centre Inc. Phone: 480-387-5980 Brand: Valkyrie; Mfr: N.A. [IND, F/I-B, F/I-R, OTR] Brand: Premium Sport; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Email: [email protected] 580 Evans Ave., Toronto, Canada M8W 2W1 Fax: 480-268-7478 Brand: Pro Trac; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Web: www.gatewaytire.net Phone: 416-255-5581 Email: [email protected] Big O Tires L.L.C. Brand: Buckshot; Mfrs: Thailand, Taiwan [LTR] Fax: 416-255-4793 Web: www.apitire.com (Subsidiary of TBC Corp.) Countrywide Tire & Rubber Brand: Treadura; Mfr: Chinese [F/I-B] Email: [email protected] Brand: Advanta; Mfr: N.A. [LTR, MTR] 4280 Professional Center Drive, Suite 400, 123 N. 3rd St., Suite 706, Minneapolis, Minn. 55401 Web: www.activegreenross.com Brand: Gladiator; Mfr: Off-shore [LTR, STR, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410 Phone: 800-328-0773 East Bay Tire Co. Brand: Green+; Mfr: Michelin [P, P-winter, LTR] MTR, MTB, ATV, IND , OTR] John Kairys, VP and GM Fax: 800-447-4864 2200 Huntington Drive, Unit C, Fair eld, Brand: Zenna; Mfr: Off-shore [P, HP] Phone: 561-383-3000 Email: [email protected] Calif. 94533 Allied Tire & Wheel Email: [email protected] Web: www.countrywidetire.com Sarah Tolnai, mkting. mgr. 12300 Edison Way, Garden Grove, Calif. Armadillo Tire L.L.C. Web: www.bigotires.com Brand: Master; Mfr: Chinese [ATV] Phone: 707-402-7732 92841 209 S. Jefferson Ave., McGregor, Texas 76657 Brand: Aspen; Mfr: Sumitomo Rubber [P, HP] Brand: Rubbermaster; Mfrs: Chinese, Email: [email protected] Greg Wells, general manager Steven Smith, owner Brand: Big O; Mfr: Cooper Tire, U.S. [P, HP, LTR] Indonesian [STR, L/G]; Web: www.eastbaytire.com Phone: 800-529-4335 Phone: 254-709-1395 Brand: Mesa; Mfr: Cooper Tire, U.S. [LTR] Brand: Dawg Pound; Mfrs: Alliance, BKT, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Daewoo International (America) Corp. Camso, Carlstar, Sailun, TVS [F/I, IND, MTB, Web: www.alliedwheel.com Web: www.armadillotire.com Cambertire L.L.C. 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 204, Troy, Mich. 48084 OTR, STR, STB] Brand: Ameritrail; Mfr: N.A. [STR] Brand: Armadillo; Mfrs: China, Sri Lanka [IND] Spring Lake Road, Mukwonago, Wis. 53149 Phone: 248-339-2880 Brand: Arisun; Mfr: ZC Rubber, China [ATV] Phone: 262-434-7000 Email: [email protected] Foreign Tire Sales Inc.* Brand: Golden West; Mfr: China [STR] Armstrong Tire L.L.C. Email: [email protected] Web: www.daewoo-tire.com 2444 Morris Ave., Union, N.J. 07083 Brand: Mobile Trac; Mfr: N.A. [STB] (Owned by Zafco International) Web: www.cambertire.com Brand: Daewoo; Mfr: N.A. [P, MTR, OTR] Phone: 908-687-0559 Brand: Super Trac RBT; Mfr: N.A. [OTR] 3200 NW 67th Ave., Building 2, Suite 260, Brand: Cambertire; Mfr: Specialty Tires of Fax: 908-687-0231 Brand: Super Trail; Mfr: N.A. [STR] Miami, Fla. 33122 America [HP] Dcenti Tire Inc. Email: [email protected] Brand: Trail Xtreme; Mfr: N.A. [STR] Phone: 877-577-4466 13875 Live Oak Ave., Irwindale, Calif. 91706 Web: www.foreigntire.com Brand: Treadstar; Mfr: N.A. [STB] Email: [email protected] Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. Email: [email protected] Brand: Prometer; Mfr: LingLong Tire, Thailand Web: www.armstrongtire.com 2180 Yonge St., Toronto, Canada M4P 2V8 Web: www.dcentitire.com [P, HP, MTR, STR] American Omni Trading Co.* Brand: Armstrong; Mfr: Otani Tire Co. Ltd., Phone: 416-480-3072 Brand: Dcenti; Mfrs: China, Thailand [P, HP, LTR] Brand: YKS; Mfr: N.A. [MTB, OTR] 15354 Park Row Drive, Houston, Texas 77084 Thailand [P, HP, LTR, MTR] Fax: 416-480-8117 Brand: Ginelli; Mfrs: Overseas [LTR] Chris Brackin, VP sales Web: www.canadiantire.ca Brand: Gold Partner; Mfr: China [MTR] Fuel Off Road Inc. Phone: 281-600-8473 Atturo Tire Corp. Brand: Motomaster; Mfrs: Goodyear, Han- Brand: RDR; Mfr: Indonesia [LTR] 19200 S. Reyes Ave., Compton, Calif. 90221 Fax: 281-600-8475 3250 N. Oak Grove Ave., Waukegan, Ill. 60087 kook[P, P-winter, HP, LTR, ATV] Web: www.fueloffroad.com Email: [email protected] George Lugo, sales director; Kevin Martin, Discount Tire Co. Inc.* Brand: Fuel; Mfr: Offshore [P, LTR] Web: www.american-omni.com sales Coker Tire Co. Inc. 20225 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. Brand: Americus; Mfr: Deestone, Thailand [P, Phone: 855-632-8031 1317 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37402 85255 Fury Off-Road Tires & Wheels HP, LTR, MTR] Email: [email protected] Jess Hoodenpyle, VP sales Phone: 480-606-6000 1461 South Belt Line Road, Suite 300, Brand: Crop Max; Mfr: Deestone, Thailand [F/I] Web: www.atturo.com Phone: 800-251-6336 Fax: 480-606-5505 CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 15 Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Private brand marketers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 OTR Wheel Engineering Inc. Phone: 763-746-0410 Pro Competition Tires, Wheels & Brand: Blacklion; Mfr: Sailun Jinyu Group, China, Coppell, Texas 75019 6 Riverside Industrial Park, Rome, Ga. Fax: 952-224-2978 Suspension Co. Inc. Vietnam [P, HP, LTR, STR, MTR] Phone: 855-575-3879 30161 Email: [email protected]; 400 W. Artesia Blvd., Compton, Calif. 90220 Brand: Ironhead; Mfr: Sailun Jinyu Group, China, Email: [email protected] Phone: 706-235-9781 Brand: Ag Pro; Mfrs: China, Vietnam [F/I] Phone: 800-776-0767 Vietnam [MRT] Web: www. furtytires.com Fax: 706-234-8137 Brand: Transporter; Mfrs: China, Vietnam Fax: 310-747-3912 Brand: RoadX; Mfr: Sailun Jinyu Group, China, Brand: Fury; Mfr: Shandong New Continent Web: www.otrwheel.com [MTR, OTR, STR, ATV] Email: [email protected] Vietnam [MTR] Tire Co. Ltd., China [LTR] Brand: Grassmaster; Mfr: Thailand [IND, L/G] Brand: Terra Raider; Mfr: Indonesia [LTR] Web: www.procompusa.com Brand: Heatmaster; Mfr: Thailand [IND, OTR] Brand: Pro Comp; Mfrs: Various offshore [LTR] Sears Tire Group Greenball Corp. Brand: Lightning; Mfr: Thailand [IND, OTR] Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, Ill. 222 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 700, Anaheim, Brand: Litefoot; Mfr: Thailand [L/G] (Business unit of Icahn Enterprises L.P.) Professional Industrial Tire Co. 60179 Calif. 92805 Brand: Mudshark; Mfr: Thailand [IND, OTR] 3111 W. Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 1532 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga, Tenn. Phone: 847-286-6330 Mike Castaneda, VP, aftmkt. sales Brand: Outrigger; Mfr: Thailand [OTR] 19132 37406 Fax: 847-286-6691 Phone: 800-946-9412 Brand: Tomahawk; Mfr: Thailand [ATV] Web: www.pepboys.com Ken Cooper, exec. VP Web: www.sears.com/automotive-tires-wheels- Fax: 310-694-9109 Brand: Traction Master; Mfr: Deestone [IND, Brand: Cornell; Mfr: Cooper [P] Phone: 800-251-7683 tires/b-1289602424 Email: [email protected] L/G] Brand: D e n i t y ; Mfrs: Cooper, Hankook [LTR] Fax: 866-729-8473 Brand: DieHard; Mfr: Kumho [P, LTR] Web: www.greenball.com Brand: Wearmaster; Mfr: Titan Tire [IND] Brand: Futura; Mfr: Cooper [P, HP, LTR] Email: [email protected] Brand: Guardsman Plus; Mfrs: Various [P] Brand: Centennial; Mfrs: Thailand, Various Brand: Wizzard; Mfr: Thailand [ATV] Web: www.protire.com Brand: Roadhandler; Mfr: Hankook [P, HP, LTR] Asian [LTR, ATV] Brand: Zero-T; Mfr: Thailand [L/G] Pit Bull Tire Co . Brand: Wide Track Solids; Mfr: China [IND] Brand: GBC Motorsports; Mfrs: Indonesia, Brand: 350/440 Mag; Mfr: Thailand [ATV] 1815 Locust St., St. Louis, Mo. 63103 Stephanie Tires Corp. Thailand [ATV] Phone: 800-645-2006 Sailun-Jinyu International 20213 NE 16th Place, Miami, Fla. 33179 Brand: Greenball; Mfrs: Various Asian [IND, Penn Tire Co.* Fax: 314-621-5396 1 Kenview Blvd., Suite 300, Brampton, Phone: 305-652-2200 STR, STB; L/G] P.O. Box 538, Hopkins, Minn. 55305 Email: [email protected] Ontario, Canada L67 5E6 Fax: 305-652-7600 Brand: Kanati; Mfr: Indonesia [LTR] Mark Crigler, Eastern region; Scott High ll, Web: www.pitbulltires.com Phone: 647-530-8294 Email: [email protected] Western region Brand: Pit Bull; Mfrs: Various [LTR, LTB, ATV] Fax: 905-595-0469; CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 Hercules Tire (Owned by American Tire Distributors Inc.) 1995 Tif n Ave., Suite 205, Findlay, Ohio 45840 Joshua Simpson, sr. VP proprietary brands Phone: 844-432-9729 Email: [email protected] Web: www.herculestire.com Brand: DynaTrac; Mfr: Linglong Tire, Thailand [MTR] Brand: Hercules; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR, STR, MTR] Brand: Hercules; Mfr: Camso/Solideal, Indo- nesia [IND, OTR] Brand: Ironman; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR, MTR]

Horizon Tire Inc. 4818 4th St., Irwindale, Calif. 91706 Phone: 323-622-1920 Fax: 323-622-1927 Web: www.horizontire.com Brand: Sotera; Mfr: N.A. [MTR] Brand: Supermax; Mfrs: Vee Rubber Co., Thailand, & others [P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTR, MTB, E PECTATIONS WILL BE SHATTERED STB, ATV, IND, OTR]

Interco Tire Corp. 2412 Abbeville Highway, Rayne, La. 70578 Phone: 800-299-8000 Fax: 337-334-9796 Web: www.intercotire.com Brand: IROK; Mfrs: Various [LTR, LTB, STR, F/I, ATV, OTR] Brand: M&H Racemaster; Mfrs: Various [Racing] Brand: Super Swamper; Mfrs: Various [ATV, LTR, LTB]

Kelsey Tire Inc. P.O. Box 564, Camdenton, Mo. 65020 Phone: 800-325-0091 Fax: 800-845-7581 Email: [email protected] Web: www.kelseytire.com Brand: Goodyear; Mfr: Goodyear [P-vintage-B, P-vintage-R]

Lexani Tires Worldwide Inc. 5793 Martin Road, Irwindale, Calif. 91706 Aaron Tennison, VP sales Phone: 877-453-9264 Fax: 626-856-1428 Email: [email protected] Web: www.lexanitires.net Brand: Lexani; Mfrs: Thailand, China [P, HP, LTR, STR, ATV] Brand: RBP; Mfrs: China, Thailand [ATV]

Lucas Classic Tires 2850 Temple Ave., Long Beach, Calif. 90806 Maytag Smith, GM Phone: 800-952-4333 Fax: 562-595-0381 Email: [email protected] Web: www.lucasclassictires.com Brand: Bedford; Mfrs: Various [P-vintage-B] Brand: Blockley; Mfr: N.A. [Racing-vintage] Brand: Denman; Mfr. N.A. [P, LTB] Brand: Longstone; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage-B] Brand: Lucas; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage-B] Brand: Pirelli Cinturato; Mfr: Pirelli [Rac- 07.01.19 ing-vintage] Brand: Royalton; Mfr.: N.A. [P-vintage-B] Brand: Wards Riverside; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage-B]

Omni United USA Inc.* 9900 Two Lakes Trail, Charlevoix, Mich. 49720 Scott Rhodes, VP sales N. Am. Phone: 855-906-6646 Fax: 888-852-4152; Email: [email protected] Web: www.omni-united.com; www.radartires.com Brand: American Tourer; Mfr: Thailand [P, HP, LTR] Brand: Patriot; Mfrs: Thailand, Taiwan [P, HP, LTR] Brand: Radar; Mfrs: Indonesia, China, Thailand [P, HP, LTR, MTR, STR] © 2019 Yokohama Tire Corporation 16 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Private brand marketers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Brand: Agristorm ND2; Mfr: Speedways Rubber, Brand: Mirada; Mfr: Sumitomo [P, HP, LTR] Phone: 973-850-0121 Tireco Inc.* Web: www.stephanietires.com India [F/I] Brand: Multi-Mile; Mfrs: Cooper, Sumitomo, Email: [email protected] 500 W. 190th St., Suite 600, Gardena, Calif. Brand: Dargoltz; Mfr: China [IND] Brand: Agro Land; Mfr: Speedways Rubber, India Sailun, Sentury, various off-shore [P, HP, LTR] Web: www.tirealliance.com 90248 Brand: Isdaka; Mfr: China [ATV, IND, M/C, OTR, STR] [F/I, IND, OTR] Brand: National; Mfrs: Sumitomo, Sailun, Brand: Pantera; Mfr: Sentury, Thailand [P, HP, LTR] Andrew Hoit, VP sales & marketing Brand: Convoy; Mfr: Speedways Rubber [F/I, IND, OTR] Sentury, various off-shore [P, HP, LTR] Phone: 310-767-7990 Sure Tire Co. Brand: Farm Boy; Mfr: Speedways Rubber Brand: Power King; Mfrs: Various [LTR, LTB, Tire Group International L.L.C. Fax: 310-217-9267 935 Main Plaza Drive, P.O. Box 126, Wentzville, Brand: Paydirt; Mfr: Speedways Rubber [F/I, IND, OTR] STB, MTR, MTB, IND, ATV, OTR] 7500 NW 35th Terrace, Miami, Fla. 33122 Email: [email protected] Mo. 63385 Brand: Payload; Mfr: Speedways Rubber [F/I, IND, OTR] Brand: Solar; Mfr: Sumitomo [HP] Joaquin Gonzalez, president; Willie Kram- Web: www.tireco.com Phone: 636-332-5100 Brand: Route 66 Hot Rod UHP; Mfr: Speedways Brand: Sceptor; Mfr: Nexen Tire [HP] er, sr. VP, domestic sales Brand: Freestar; Mfr: Offshore [STR] Fax: 636-327-5130; Rubber [P, HP] Brand: Towmax STRII; Mfr: Shandong Heng- Phone: 305-696-0096 Brand: Geostar; Mfr: Offshore [STR] Email: [email protected] feng Tyre [STR] Fax: 305-696-5926 Brand: Milestar; Mfr: Offshore [P, HP, LTR, Web: www.suretire.com TBC Corp.* Brand: Trailer King II ST; Mfr: Shandong Email: [email protected] MTR, MTR] Brand: Heritage; Mfr: N.A. [P, LTR, STR] 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Changfeng Tyre [STR] Web: www.tiregroup.com; www.atlas-tires.com Brand: Nanco; Mfr: Offshore [STB, F/I, IND, ATV] Brand: Summit; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR, STR] 33410 Brand: Astro; Mfr: Nexen, South Korea [IND] Brand: Trac-Gard; Mfr: Offshore [F/I, ATV] Marty Krcelic, exec. VP The Wheel Group Brand: Atlas; Mfr: Shandong Linglong, Thailand SWT Americas L.L.C. Phone: 866-822-4968 18400 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry, Calif. 91748 [P, LTR, MTR] Tires International Corp. (formerly Route 66 Tire & Rubber) Fax: 800-467-4638 Phone: 866-894-3351 Brand: Cosmo; Mfrs: Sailun Jinyu, Shangwang 2104 Franklin St., Houston, Texas 77002 P.O. Box 780, Aledo, Texas 76008 Web: www.tbcbrands.com Web: www.thewheelgroup.com Rubber, Qingdao Qihang, China [LTB, STR, STB, MTR, Phone: 713-228-0234 Gregg Hubbard, president; Cari Solano, Brand: Delta; Mfrs: Cooper, Sumitomo, Sailun, Brand: Amp; Mfr: Offshore [LTR] MTB, F/I, IND, OTR] Email: [email protected] national account manager Sentury, various off-shore [P, HP, LTR] Brand: Duramas; Mfrs: YanChang Petroleum, Web: www.tiresinternational.net Phone: 833-798-8473 Brand: Doral; Mfr: Sumitomo [HP] Tire Alliance Groupe L.L.C. (TAG) Shangdong Hugerubber, China [P, MTR] Brand: EZ Load; Mfrs: Various [IND] Fax: 877-348-8221 Brand: Eldorado; Mfrs: Cooper, Sumitomo, 25 B Hanover Road, Suite 140, Florham Brand: Industar; Mfr: Qianzhen Tyre, China [LTB, MTB] Email: [email protected] Sailun, Sentury, various off-shore [P, HP, LTR] Park, N.J. 07932 Brand: Luna; Mfr: Longkou Xinlong, China [LTB, MTB] Transamerica Tire Co. Ltd. Web: www.route66tire.com Brand: Harvest King; Mfrs: Various [F/I] Paul Alves, CEO and president Brand: Orion; Mfr: Wanda Tyre, China [MTR] 3181 Poplar Ave, Suite 218, Memphis, Tenn., 3811 Joe Davis, sales director Phone: 702-576-1651 Email: [email protected] Web: www.transamericatire.com Brand: Freedom Hauler; Mfrs: China, South- east Asia [STR, STB, MTR] Brand: Transeagle; Mfrs: China, Southeast Asia [STR, STB, MTR] Brands: Venom Power; Mfrs: Southeast Asia [HP, LTR]

Universal Vintage Tire Co. 2994 Elizabethtown Road, Hershey, Pa. 17033 Phone: 717-534-0715; Fax: 717-534-0719; Email: [email protected] Web: www.universaltire.com Brand: American Classic; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Avon; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: BFGoodrich; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Dunlop; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Ensign; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Lester; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage] Brand: Universal; Mfr: N.A. [P-vintage]

Vogue Tyre & Rubber Co. 1101 Feehanville Drive, Mt. Prospect, Ill. 60056 Greg Hathcock, president; Kevin Goyak, exec. VP Phone: 847-297-1900 Fax: 847-375-9367 Email: [email protected] Web: www.voguetyre.com Brand: Vogue; Mfr: Sailun Group, China, Vietnam [P, HP, LTR]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. 702 Southwest Eight St., Bentonville, Ark. 72716 Brand: Douglas; Mfr: Goodyear [P, HP]

WTD Wholesale Tire Distributors 14350 Macaw St., La Mirada, Calif. 90638 Phone: 562-677-3900 Fax: 562-677-3097 Email: info@saf rotires.com Web: www.wtdus.net Brand: Arroyo; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP] Brand: Mayrun; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR] Brand: S a f r o ; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTR, MTB] Brand: Windforce; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR] Brand: Winrun; Mfr: N.A. [P, HP, LTR]

YHI International / Konig Wheels 88 Sunnyside Blvd., Plainview, N.Y. 11803 Phone: 800-645-3878 Email: [email protected] Web: www.neutontire.com Brand: Neuton; Mfr: N.A. [HP]

Zafco International L.L.C.* 3200 NW 67th Ave., Building 2, Suite 260, Miami, Fla. 33122 Chris Tolbert, VP sales, East; John Thomas, VP sales, West Phone: 305-406-3811 Fax: 305-406-9811 Email: [email protected] Web: www.zafcointernational.com; www. acceleratire.com; www.zeetex.com; www. forceumtire.com Brand: Zeetex; Mfrs: P.T. Elengperdana Tyre Industry, Indonesia [P, HP, LTR]; China [MTR, STR, ATV] Brand Keys P= Passenger; HP= High-performance radial; R= Radial; B= Bias; LTR= Light truck radial; LTB=Light truck bias; L/G= Lawn & Garden; STB= Specialty trailer bias; STR= Specialty trailer radial; MTR= Me- dium truck radial; MTB= Medium truck bias; F/I-R= Farm/Implement radial; F/I-B= Farm/Implement bias; ATV= All terrain vehicle; IND= Industrial; OTR= Off-road; N.A.=Not available (Unless otherwise indicated, all passenger tires are radials.) Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 17 Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Import brand marketers Directory of import brand tire marketers NOTE: This directory contains the importers of re- Phone: 330-836-1090 Web: www.ceatspecialty.com Discount Tire/America's Tire* Ltd., Taiwan) cord/key distributors of various import brands — Fax: 330-836-1091 Brand: CEAT [F/I, OTR, IND]; Altura [OTR] 20225 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85255 14290 Lochridge Blvd., Covington, Ga. 30014 which Tire Business de nes as brands owned/con- Email: [email protected] Phone: 480-606-6000 Keith Brantley, director of sales & marketing; trolled by a non-U.S.-based tire manufacturer with Web: www.bkt-tires.com China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. Fax: 480-606-5505 Phone: 770-788-2060 no manufacturing base/capacity in North America. Brand: BKT [F/I, IND, OTR, L/G, ATV] (Subsidiary of Double Coin Holdings Ltd., China) Web: www.discounttireco.com Fax: 770-768-2099 In some cases, where no single designated importer 406 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 200, Monro- Brands: Barum [P, HP]; Hartland [STR] Email: [email protected] of record exists, certain brands may be listed by more Brand Inc. via, Calif. 91016 Web: www.durotire.com than one distributor. Companies that distribute both 7548 Diplomat Drive, Suite 101, Manassas, Va. 20109 Phone: 888-226-5250 Dobermann Tire Corp. Brand: Duro [P, LTR, STR, ATV, IND, M/C] import and private brands are marked with an aster- Phone: 703-367-9442 Fax: 888-226-5260 (Subsidiary of Covencaucho Industrias S.A., Venezuela) isk (*) to denote they appear in both the import and Fax: 703-367-9443 Email: [email protected] 1740 W. 4th Ave., Hileah, Fla. 33010 East Coast International Tire Group Inc. private brand marketer directories. Email: [email protected] Web: www.doublecointires.com Johnny DeFilippo, treasurer; Francisco Rive- 57-46 Flushing Ave., Maspeth, N.Y. 11378 Brands: Leao [MTR]; Security [MTR, F/I, OTR] (Canadian market handled by Huayi Tire Canada ro, nancial manager Junbo Luan, GM ABC Tire Group Inc. Inc., 95 Royal Crest Court, Unit 10 Markham, Ontar- Phone: 305-863-7202 Phone: 917-855-1766 1641 West Main St., Suite 415, Alhambra, CEAT Specialty Tires Inc. io, Canada L3R 9X5. Phone: 888-726-3390) Fax: 305-863-7220 Fax: 718-786-9288 Calif. 91801 (Subsidiary of CEAT Ltd., India) Brands: Blue Star [LTB, STB, MTB]; Double Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mark McGilvra, VP sales; Candy Yin, sales 3440 Torringdon Way, Suite 205, Charlotte, N.C. 28277 Coin [MTR, F/I, IND, OTR]; Duraturn [LTR, STR, Web: www.dobermanntire.com Web: www.ecitires.com Phone: 626-281-3031 Tarang Srivastava, president; James Enyart, MTR]; –(distributed by YC Rubber Co. (North America Brands: Dobermann [IND]; K-9 [ATV, IND, OTR] Brands: Annaite [MTR]; Farroad [P, LTR]; Fax: 626-281-2158 technical manager L.L.C.); Dynastar [LTR]; Dynatrail [LTR, STR]; Wanli [P, LTR] Email: [email protected] Phone: 980-616-191 Warrior [P, LTR, MTR] Duro Tire & Wheel Web: www.abctiregroup.com Email: [email protected] (Subsidiary of Hwa Fong Rubber Ind. Co. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 Brands: Border [IND, F/I, ORT]; Net Gear [IND, OTR]; Verizon [IND, OTR]; Workforce [IND, OTR]

Achieva Rubber Corp. Raptis R-T5 1800 Border Ave., Torrance, Calif. 90501 Phone: 310-328-8868 Fax: 310-328-5768 Email: [email protected] Web: www.achievatire.com PERFORMANCE

Brand: Innova [ATV, IND, M/C] ® IS ONLY HALF Premium UHP | All-Season Achilles Tires USA Inc. (Subsidiary of P.T. Multistrada Arah Sarana, THE STORY Indonesia) 15791 Rock eld Blvd., Suite B, Irvine, Calif. 92618 Mo Tanaka, GM sales; Michele Kurniawan, Whether it’s going from 0-60, taking director of operations Phone: 949-501-6030 summer road trips or off-road adventures, Email: [email protected] Hercules® Tires aren’t just built for the Web: www.achillestiresusa.com Brand: Achilles [P, HP, LT, Racing] journey – they’re also designed to drive Alliance Tire Americas Inc. your proﬁts to their peak and sharpen (Subsidiary of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.,

Japan; represents Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd.) your competitive advantage. 201 Edgewater Drive, Suite 285, Wake eld, Roadtour 855 SPE Mass. 01880 Allen Lyons, VP aftrmkt. sales, West & Cana- da; Brian Sheehey, VP mkting. Phone: 800-343-3276 Fax: 701-322-2147 Email: [email protected] Web: www.atgtire.com; www.constellationtire.com Brands: Aeolus [MTR]; Alliance [F/I, IND, ® OTR]; Constellation [MTR, OTR]; Galaxy [F/I, Grand Touring | All-Season IND, OTR]; Primex [F/I, IND, OTR]

American Kenda Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd. (dba Kenda USA–Subsidiary of Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., Taiwan) 7095 Americana Pkwy., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 Brandon Stotsenburg, VP automotive Phone: 614-866-9803 Fax: 614-866-9805 Email: [email protected] Web: www.kendatire.com Brands: Karrier [STR]; Kenda [P, HP, LTR, STR, STB, ATV, IND, M/C, L/G]

American Koryo Inc. Terra Trac 1898 Rustin Ave., Riverside Calif. 92507 Phone: 909-869-0500 Web: www.koryotireus.com Brand: Koryo [P, HP, MTR] ® M/T Premium Mud Terrain | All-Season American Omni Trading Co.* 15354 Park Row Drive, Houston, Texas 77084 Scott Bishop, sales mgr. Phone: 281-600-8473 Fax: 281-600-8475 Email: [email protected] Web: www.american-omni.com Brand: Deestone [LTB, STB, MTB, F/I, IND, OTR, ATV]

Apollo Vredestein Tires Inc. (Subsidiary of Apollo Tyres Ltd., India) 1175 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30361 Phone: 770-302-2160 Email: [email protected]; Web: www.vredestein.com Brands: Apollo [IND, OTR]; Vredestein [P, HP, F/I]

Armadillo Tire L.L.C. 209 S. Jefferson Ave., McGregor, Texas 76657 Steven Smith, owner HERCULES DEALERS ARE BACKED BY SOME OF THE MARKET‘S STRONGEST BENEFITS: Phone: 254-709-1395 Email: [email protected] Web: www.armadillotire.com Limited Distribution High Proﬁt Potential Broad Family of Innovative Products National and Local Marketing Support Unbeatable Service Levels Brands: Eclat [IND]; Exmile [IND]; Kilomax [IND]; Milemax [IND]

BKT USA Inc. (Subsidary of Balkrishna Industries Ltd., India) * 2660 W. Market St., Suite 100, Akron, Ohio 44333 Performance Promise HerculesTires.comculesTires.com | #herculestires

*Select tires only 18 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Import brand marketers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Email: [email protected]; Email: [email protected] Dynamic Tire Corp. Foreign Tire Sales Inc.* Brands: Air Ryde [IND-Solid]; Globe Guard Web: www.hixihtire.com Leviathan Corp./OTRUSA.com 211 Hunter's Valley Road, Woodbridge, 2444 Morris Ave., Union, N.J. 07083 [IND-Pneumatic]; Globe Star [IND-Solid]; Brand: Hixih [MTR] 55 Washington St. 457, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201 Ontario, Canada L4H 3V9 Phone: 908-687-0559 PeakMaster [IND-Solid]; Ultimate XT Horizon Tire Inc.* Phone: 855-687-8721 Phone: 905-595-5558 Fax: 908-687-0231 [IND-Pneumatic & Solid]; XPT [IND-Pneumatic] 4818 4th St., Irwindale, Calif. 91706 Email: [email protected] Fax: 905-595-0469 Email: [email protected] Phone: 323-622-1920 Web: www.otrusa.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.foreigntire.com GTC North America Fax: 323-622-1927 Brands: Hilo [OTR]; Tiron [OTR] Web: www.dynamictire.com Brands: Kapsen [ST]; Otani [P, HP, LTR, STR, (aka Great Lakes Tire Co. — Subsidiary of Web: www.horizontire.com Brands: Aeolus [P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTR, MTB, MTB, MTR, F/I, OTR]; ProMeter [P, HP, LTR, Guizhou Tyre Co. Ltd., China) Brands: Antares [P, HP, LTR]; Grenlander [P, LTR]; Linglong Americas Inc. OTR]; Blacklion [P, HP, LTR, LTB, MTB]; STR, MTR, MTB, F/I, OTR] 4580 Stephen Circle NW, Suite 202, Canton, Rydanz [P, HP, LTR]; Waterfall [P, HP, LTR, F/I, IND] (Subsidiary of Shandong Linglong Tire Co. Ltd., China) Diamondback [P, HP, LTR, LTB, STR, STB, Ohio 44718 1484 Medina Road, Suite 118, Medina, Ohio 44256 MTR, MTB, OTR]; RoadX [MTR, MTB]; Sailun Giti Tire (Canada) Ltd. Paul Copen, VP operations; Karl Lammlein, Janak Global Enterprises Inc. Lucy Shi, sales director [P, HP, LTR, LTB, STR, STB, MTR, MTB, OTR]; (subsidiary of Giti Tire Investment Co. Ltd. — sales director 10200 State Road 84, No. 210, Ft. Lauder- Phone: ++86-535-824-2203 Windpower [MTR, MTB] See Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. in Flag Brand section) Phone: 330-498-5000 dale, Fla. 33324 Email: [email protected] #250-10330 152nd St., Surrey, BC, Canada V3R 4G8 Fax: 330-498-5002 Brands: Joyroad [P, LTR, SUV, MTR]; Judoka Web: www.linglongtire.com Federal Tire North America L.L.C. Phone: 416-923-6868 Email: [email protected] [F/I, IND, OTR] Brands: Atlas [P, HP, LTR, ATV, MTR, MTB, OTR, (Subsidiary of Federal Corp., Taiwan) Web: gtradial.ca Web: www.gtcna.com F/I]; Green Max [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Linglong [P, 370 Amapola Ave., Suite 215, Torrance, Calif. 90501 Brands: Dextero [P, LTR]; GT Radial [P, HP, Brands: Advance [LTB, MTR, MTB, F/I, IND, Laugfs USA L.L.C. LTR, LTB, STR, STB, MTR, MTB, F/I, OTR, IND]; Leao Leo Kao, sales LTR, STR, MTR]; Primewell [P, LTR, STR, MTR] OTR]; Samson [LTB, MTR, MTB, F/I, IND, OTR] (Subsidiary of Laugfs Rubber Corp., Sri Lanka) [P, LTR, LTB, STR, STB, MTR, MTB, F/I, OTR, IND] Phone: 310-328-1888 P.O. Box 602, Elmhurst, Ill. 60126 Fax: 310-328-1188 Global Rubber Industries Hixih Rubber Industry Group Mark Anglewicz, President Lucy's Tire Americas Email: [email protected] (Subsidiary of Global Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka) (Subsidiary of Tongli Tire Co. Ltd., China) Phone: 847-878-8854 (Represents JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., India) Web: www.federaltireusa.com 3358 Confederate Point, Canton, Ga. 30114 715 Anoakia Lane, Arcadia, Calif. 91006 Email: [email protected]; 12940 NW South River Drive, Medley, Fla. 33178 Brand: Federal [P, HP, LTR] Phone: 770-335-3272 Phone: 626-734-8888 Brand: Laugfs [IND] Phone: 305-593-2028 Fax: 305-593-2391 Email: [email protected] Web: www.lucystire.com Brands: JK [MTR]; Samson [F/I, IND, OTR]; Sure-Trac [P, LTR]

Maxam Tire North America Inc. (Subsidiary of Maxam Tire International S.a.r.l., Luxembourg) 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 102, Danvers, Mass. 01923 Jimmy McDonnelll, VP sales & marketing Phone: 844-629-2662 Put us to the test Fax: 978-560-0624 Email: [email protected] Web: www.maxamtire.com and see that we run with the best Brands: Dynamaxx [OTR, IND]; Maxam [F/I, IND, OTR] Maxxis International-USA (Subsidiary of Maxxis International/Cheng Shin Rubber, Taiwan) 545 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, Ga. 30024 Phone: 678-407-6700 Fax: 770-962-7705 Email: [email protected] Web: www.maxxis.com Brands: CST [ATV]; Maxxis [P, HP, LTR, MTR, ATV]

McLaren Industries Inc. 9985 103rd St., Jacksonville, Fla. 32210 Phone: 800-836-0040 Fax: 310-212-6444 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mclarenindustries.com (Canada: [email protected]; 800-717-4962; Web: www.mclarenindustries/ca/en/) Brands: Maximizer [IND, OTR]; Nu-Air [IND, OTR]

Milestone Tire Canada Corp. 80 Nugget Ave., Scarborough, Ontario M15 3A7 Alex Zhang, director Phone: 416-291-5588 Fax: 416-291-4843 Email: [email protected] Web: www.milestonetires.com Brands: Evergreen [P, HP]; Kinforest [P, HP]; Kapsen [P, MTR]

MOMO Tires America 6600 Stadium Drive, Kansas City, Mo. 64129 Gianluca Grioni, dir. of sales Phone: 816-895-7511 Email: [email protected] Web: www.momotires.com Brand: MOMO [P, HP, LTR]

MRL Tyres USA Inc. (Af liated with MRL Tires Ltd., India) 4520 S. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75227 Rachit Arora; Rajesh Arora, Director Email: [email protected] Proven to be a Better Web: www.mrltires.com Brands: Indus [LTB, STB, F/I, OTR, IND]; Malhotra [LTB, STB, F/I, OTR, IND]; MRL [LTB, STB, F/I, OTR, IND] Long-Term Value Nexen Tire America Inc. (Subsidiary of Nexen Tire Corp., South Korea) In recent fuel eciency tests conducted by a neutral, 21073 Path nder Road, Suite 100, Dia- mond Bar, Calif. 91765 independent research firm, Double Coin went head-to-head Phone: 909-923-4011 against two leading TBR tire brands. We finished second. Fax: 909-923-3991 Email: [email protected] Even though we didn’t finish first, our success proves one thing Web: www.nexentireusa.com — our tires deliver more value to the customer — and it makes Brand: Nexen [P, HP, LTR]

©2019 CMA, LLC. the simple point that the Smart Money is still on Double Coin. Nokian Tyres Inc. (Subsidiary of Nokian Tyres P.L.C., Finland) 501 Union Street, Suite 200A, Nashville, Tenn. 37219 Phone: 800-565-2525 Fax: 802-662-8297 Email: [email protected] Web: www.nokiantires.com Read about it at: Brands: Nokian [P, LTR, F/I, IND, OTR]; Nord- man [IND, OTR] www.DoubleCoinTires.com/fuel-eciency Omni United USA Inc.* 5350 Birch Pointe Drive, Interlochen, Mich. 49643 To ﬁnd your local dealer, visit: www.DoubleCoinTires.com Scott Rhodes, VP sales CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 19 Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Import brand marketers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 Web: www.stephanietires.com Phone: 855-906-6646 Brands: Marcher [F/I, IND, OTR]; Roadshine Fax: 888-852-4152 [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Sunstone [P, LTB, STB, MTB] Email: [email protected] Web: www.omni-united.com Super Tire Inc. Brands: Corsa [LTR]; RoadLux [MTR, STR]; 4769A Eastpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77028 Speedways [F/I, IND, OTR] Bruce Liu, VP; JC Molina, op. mgr. Phone: 713-670-0218 Oriente Tire USA L.L.C. Fax: 713-670-0682 (Represents Petlas Tyre Industries & Trade Co., Turkey) Email: [email protected] 9840 SW 77th Ave., #301, Miami, Fla. Web: www.super-tire.com 33156 Brands: A-Plus [P, HP, LTR, STR, MTR]; Dakota Carlos Ceballos, sales director [LTR, MTR]; Greatway [MTR]; Joyall [MTR]; Phone: 786-573-0757 Milepro [MTR]; Royal Black [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Fax: 786-573-0762 Super A [STR, STB, MTB, F/I, OTR, IND] Email: [email protected] Web: www.orientepetlas.com Sutong Tire Resources Inc. Brand: Petlas [P, LTR] 33402 Highway 290, Hockley, Texas 77447 Phone: 713-690-5500 Penn Tire Co.* Fax: 713-690-5501 P.O. Box 538, Hopkins, Minn. 55305 Email: [email protected] Mark Crigler, Eastern region; Scott High ll, Web: www.sutongctr.com Western region Brands: Caraway [STR]; Cavalry [LTR]; Hemi- Phone: 763-746-0410 sphere [P, LTR]; Hi-Run [ATV, ST, L/G]; Lande Fax: 952-224-2978 [OTR]; Long March [LTR, MTR]; Pinnacle [P, Email: [email protected]; MTR]; RoadOne [P, HP, MTR]; Synergy [P, LTR] Brand: Boto [OTR]; Delium [LTR] Taray International Corp. Prinx Chengshan Tire North America (Represents Ozka Lastik ve Kaucuk, Turkey and FEATURES (Represents Prinx Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Kolsan Lastik, Turkey) 12’ Tire Service Truck (other sizes available) | Work lights | Strobes in front and rear | Hose reel Co. Ltd., China) 112 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, Fla. 34145 5757 W. Century Blvd. Suite 752, Los Ange- Jerol Ayasun, GM (2)36” and (2)48” Toolboxes | 1600lb Tire rack liftgate | Champion gas air compressor les, Calif. 90291 Phone: 239-394-6099 John Aben, president Fax: 239-394-5388 Phone: 310-205-8355 Email: [email protected] Fax: 310-205-8345 Web: www.taray.com Email: [email protected] Brands: Ozka [F/I, LTB, OTR, IND]; Kolsan [P, HP, LTR] Web: en.prinxchengshan.com Brand: Fortune [P, LTR, MTR] TBC Corp.* (Represents Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Professional Industrial Tire Co. Japan, and Sailun Jinyu Tire Co. Ltd., China) 1532 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37406 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410 Ken Cooper, exec. VP Marty Krcelic, Exec. VP Phone: 800-251-7683 Phone: 866-822-4968 Fax: 866-729-8473 Fax: 800-467-4638 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tbcbrands.com Web: www.protire.com Brands: Advance [MTR]; Crosswind [P, HP, LTR]; Brand: Nexen Solid [IND] Dynacargo [MTR]; Sailun [P, HP, LTR, MTR, STR]; Samson [MTR]; Sumitomo [P, HP, LTR, MTR] Prometeon Tyre Group Commercial Solutions L.L.C. Tireco Inc.* (Subsidiary of Prometeon Tyre Group, Italy/ (Represents Nankang Rubber Tire Corp. Ltd. China, formerly TP Commercial Solutions) and Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co.) www.smyrnatruck.com I 855-269-5347 I [email protected] 12707 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200, San 500 W. 190th St., Suite 600, Gardena, Calif. 90248 Diego, Calif. 92130 Andrew Hoit, VP sales & marketing Phone: 770-686-8671 Phone: 310-767-7990 At .com, you can: Web: www.prometeon.com Fax: 310-217-9267 • Submit a classi ed ad • Submit story ideas • Search tire wholesalers • Check your TB subscription status Brands: Formula [MTR]; Pirelli [MTR] Email: [email protected]; Web: www.tireco.com • Read breaking news • Comment on news stories • Take the TB Poll • Request advertising information Sentry Tire & Rubber L.L.C. Brands: Nankang [P, HP, LTR]; Westlake [P, HP, LTR] 1440 E. Cedar St., Ontario, Calif. 91761 Phone: 888-858-8981 Tires Direct Wholesale Fax: 909-230-5553 6101 Ball Road, Suite 102, Cypress, Calif. 90630 Email: [email protected] Minoo Mehta, president Web: www.sentrytire.com Phone: 949-536-6892 Brands: Duramax [OTR, F/I, IND-Pneumatic]; Email: [email protected] Sentry [IND-Solid] Web: tiresdirectwholesale.net Brands: Magna [OTR]; Pirelli [F/I, OTR]; Sentury Tire USA Windpower [MTR] SchradeTPMS Solutionsr (Subsidiary of Qingdao Sentury Tire Co. Ltd., China)  3121 NW 125 St., Miami 33167 Tri-Ace Wheel & Tire Corp. Nicholas Gutierrez, sales director (Subsidiary of Hong Kong Tri-Ace Tire Corp. Ltd., China) Phone: 305-621-5101 1606 Greens Road, Suite 100, Houston, Texas EZ-sensAdditional Fitment Optionsr Fax: 305-624-7881 77032 Email: [email protected] Homey Zhang, U.S. GM 1 SKU Web: senturytireusa.com Phone: 816-294-0255 Combines 314.9, Brands: Delinte [P, HP, LTR]; Groundspeed Fax: 866-230-0942 [P, LTR]; Landsail [P, HP, LTR]; Pantera [P, HP, Email: [email protected] 315 & 433 MHZ LTR]; Sentury [P, HP] Web: www.tri-acetireusa.com Brands: BlackBear [LTR, ATV]; Mark-Ma PROGRAMMABLE Sonny Bosco Inc. [LTR]; Tri-Ace [HP, LTR, MTR] (Represents Danang Rubber J.S.C., Vietnam) Compatible with most 2129 W. Anaheim St., Long Beach, Calif. 90813 Triangle Tires USA L.L.C. tools on the market you Phone: 702-302-6636 (Subsidiary of Triangle Tyre Group Co. Ltd., China) 90˚ Email: [email protected] 117 Seaboard Lane, Suite F100, Franklin, Tenn. 37067 may already own EZ-sens r Web: www.sonnybosco.com Manny Cicero, president (Designed for specialty aftermarket rims) Brand: DRC [MTR] Phone: 615-610-5070; Fax: 615-610-5051 STEM OPTIONS

St. Louis Wholesale Tire Email: [email protected] • Rubber Snap-In in S p- en am so l r 5105 Brown Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63115 C Web: www.triangletireus.com • Aluminum Clamp-In Max Jarrod Rogers, sales mgr. Brand: Triangle [P, HP, LTR, STR, MTR, OTR] 200 MPH M • Black Anodized Clamp-In a H Phone: 888-231-1231 x 322 K M Fax: 314-389-8079 Tube & Solid Tire Ltd. Email: [email protected] (Subsidiary of Covencaucho Industrias S.A., Venezuela) Web: www.stlwholesale.com 5100 Kaepa Court, San Antonio, Texas 78218 OE QUALITY Brands: Air-Loc [STB, ATV, L/G]; Starmaxx Jason Rook, VP  adjustable [F/I, OTR, IND] Phone: 210-599-1222 From the OE Supplier EZ-sens r Fax: 210-599-8997 Statewide Tires Inc. Email: [email protected] (Subsidiary of JS General Science Technology Co. Ltd., China) Web: www.tubeandsolidtire.com 1900 W. Garvey Ave. S., Suite 260, West Brands: Dobermann [IND-Solid]; K9 [IND, F/I, Covina, Calif. 91790 MTR, STR, STB, OTR, ATV, L/G] Mike Cheng, Secretary Thank you for inspiring our future! Phone: 626-337-9888; Fax: 626-337-8808 Tyres International Inc. Email: [email protected] 4637 Allen Road, Stow, Ohio 44224 Web: www.tbbtires.com Marty Bez, president OE Brands: Lancaster [MTR]; TBB [MTR] Phone: 330-374-1000 Fax: 330-374-0038 Schrader TPMS World Leader | OE Supplier | Award-Winning | TPMS Partner Stephanie Tires Corp. Email: [email protected] TPMS Solutions 20213 NE 16th Place, Miami 33179 Web: www.tyresinternational.com Phone: 305-652-2200 Brands: Ceat [F/I, IND, OTR]; MRF [MTB, OTR]; Fax: 305-652-7600 Tiber [F/I, OTR]; Westlake [STR, MTR, OTR, IND] www.SchraderSensors.com Email: [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 20 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Uniroyal Tiger mascot gets new name, new look GREENVILLE, S.C. available to consumers in June, the company to the brand’s heritage. U.S. Royal was ble the number of tigers in the Michelin North America Inc. has rede- said. the predecessor to Uniroyal and has re- wild by 2022. signed the iconic Uniroyal Tire tiger mascot “The tiger is reliably strong and protec- mained a Uniroyal trademark for de- On behalf of its Uniroyal into “Royal,” a tiger cub wearing a crown tive, as are Uniroyal tires,” Olivia Le Meur, cades, the company said. The new icon brand — and its Tiger Paw line and sitting inside a Uniroyal tire. Uniroyal brand director, said. features a crown to emphasize the ti- of tires — Michelin committed The symbol of a tiger has been associated “For more than 50 years, the tiger has ger’s symbolic name. to donate at least $150,000 an- with Uniroyal since been associated with Royal will appear in various nually to the WWF for the next the 1960s, when the our tires. As we have settings and poses as the brand ve years and invited deal- brand introduced the our biggest product launches more than 100 sizes ers and consumers to Tiger Paw line of tires and a cartoon tiger launch in history this year, we want a brand of the Uniroyal Tiger Paw participate in the starred in Uniroyal ads. mascot that can help tell our story.” Touring A/S in 2019. program as well. Today, the Tiger Paw line of tires still rep- The brand commissioned artist Jared Em- The mascot redesign comes resents a large segment of Uniroyal’s port- erson to reimagine Royal the tiger. A series less than a year after Miche- Uniroyal has rede- folio. The new icon was created just ahead of images shows Royal as a tiger cub — a lin disclosed a partnership signed the iconic of the largest product launch in the brand’s nod to the brand bringing value to families. with a World Wildlife Fund Uniroyal Tire tiger history: the Tiger Paw Touring All-Season, The tiger’s name, “Royal,” also is a link program that aims to dou- mascot.

TireBrandsReport Import brand marketers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

U.S. Tirex Inc. (Represents J.S.C. Southern Rubber Industry, Vietnam) 3310 S. Archer Ave., Chicago 60608 Phone: 888-349-5618 Fax: 888-589-2749 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ustirex.com Brand: Casumina [MTR]

Unicorn Tire Corp. 4660 Distriplex Drive West, Memphis, Tenn. 38118 Michael Dorr, Director of sales and marketing Phone: 901-547-5866 Fax: 901-547-5860 Email: [email protected] Web: www.unicorntire.com Brands: Durun [HP, MTR]; Hi-Fly [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Mastertrack [STR]; Onyx [MTR, STR]; Sunfull [P, HP, LTR]; Travelstar [P, HP, LTR, MTR, STR]

Vee Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd. (Represents: Vee Rubber International Co. Ltd., Thailand) 3602 Browns Mill Road SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30354 Doc Pilotte, U.S. natl. sales mgr. Phone: 404-305-9396; Fax: 404-305-9397 Email: [email protected] Web: www.veerubberusa.com Brands: Cambridge [P, LTR]; Nika [P, LTR]; Vee [P, LTR, LTB, MTR, MTB, ATV, OTR, IND, MC]; Veento [P]

World Wide Distribution Inc. 460 Coit St., Irvington, N.J. 07111 Phone: 973-373-8300; Fax: 973-373-0343 Email: [email protected] Web: www.wwdtires.com Brands: Road Pioneer [STB]; Solidmax [IND, OTR]; Vitour [P, MTR, STR]; Windpower [MTR, OTR]; Zeta [P]

YC Rubber Co. (North America) L.L.C. (Subsidiary of Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group Rubber Co. Ltd., China) 150 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, Calif. 91101 Ken Coltrane, VP Phone: 626-513-8989 Email: [email protected] Web: www.duraturntires.com Brand: Duraturn [P, HP, LTR, STR, MTR]

Zafco International L.L.C.* 3200 NW 67th Ave., Building 2, Suite 260, Miami, Fla. 33122 Mariam Zafar, mkting. director Phone: 305-406-3811; Fax: 305-406-9811 Email: [email protected] Web: www.zafco.com; www.acceleratire.com; www.zeetex.com; www.forceumtire.com Brands: Accelera [P, HP, LTR]; Forceum [P, HP, LTR]

ZC Rubber America Inc. (Subsidiary of Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd., China) 663 Brea Canyon Road, Suite 4, Walnut, Calif. 91789 Craig McFerrin, VP sales; Joyce Chung, operations VP Phone: 909-598-5585’ Fax: 909-598-5587 Email: [email protected] Web: www.zc-rubber.com; arisuntires.com Brands: Arisun [STR, STB, MTR]; Westlake [P, LTR] — Westlake rights assigned to Tireco Inc.

Brand Keys P= Passenger; HP= High-performance radial; R= Radi- al; B= Bias; LTR= Light truck radial; LTB=Light truck bias; L/G = Lawn & garden; STB= Specialty trailer bias; STR= Specialty trailer radial; MTR= Medium truck radial; MTB= Medium truck bias; MC= Motorcycle; F/I-R= Farm/Implement radial; F/I-B= Farm/Implement bias; ATV=All terrain vehicle; IND= Industrial; OTR= Off- road; N.A. = Not available (Unless otherwise indicated, all passenger tires are radials.) Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 21 Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Flag-associate brand marketers Directory of ag, associate brand tire marketers

Amerityre Corp. Hankook Tire America Corp. Brands: Hoosier [HP, Racing, MC]; General Email: [email protected] 1200 Rove Ave., Charles City, Iowa 50616 1501 Industrial Road, Boulder City, Nev. 89005 (Subsidiary of Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., South [Racing] Web: www.mickeythompsontires.com; Phone: 704-542-3422 Michael Sullivan, CEO Korea) www.dickcepek.com; www.avonmoto.com Fax: 704-542-3474 Phone: 702-835-7680 333 Commerce St., Suite 600, Nashville, Kumho Tire USA Inc. Brands: Avon [MC]; Dick Cepek [LTR]; Mickey Email: [email protected] Web: www.amerityre.com Tenn. 37201 (Subsidiary of Kumho Tire Co. Inc., South Korea) Thompson [P, HP, LT, Racing] Web: www.mitasag.com Brand: Amerityre [IND] Phone: 615-432-0700 133 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30303 Brands: Cultor [F/I]; Mitas [F/I, OTR] Fax: 615-242-8709 Phone: 800-445-8646 Michelin North America Inc. Bridgestone Americas Inc. Email: [email protected] Fax: 800-525-8646 (Subsidiary of Group Michelin, France) Mitchell Industrial Tire Co. Inc. (MITCO) (Subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp., Japan) Web: www.hankooktireusa.com Web: www.kumhotireusa.com 1 Parkway South, Greenville, S.C. 29615 2915 Eighth Ave., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37407 200 4th Ave. South, Nashville, Tenn. 37201 Brands: Aurora [MTR]; Hankook [P, HP, LTR, Brand: Kumho [P, HP, LTR, STR, STB, MTR] Phone: 864-458-5000 Phone: 800-251-7226 Phone: 615-937-1000 MTR]; Laufenn [P, HP, LTR] Fax: 864-458-4191 Fax: 423-697-7143 Fax: 615-493-0098 Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc. Web: www.michelinman.com Web: www.mitco.com Web: www.bridgestoneamericas.com Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. (d.b.a. Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Brands: BFGoodrich [P, HP, LTR, MTR]: Miche- Brands: Solid Solver [IND (solid)]; Super Brands: Bridgestone [P, HP, LTR]; Firestone (Subsidiary of Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C.) Wheels — subsidiary of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.) lin [P, HP, LTR, M/C, MTR, F/I, OTR]; Uniroyal [P, Solid [IND (solid press-on)] [P, HP, LTR]; Fuzion [P, HP, LTR]; LeMans [P, 65465 U.S.931, Lakeville, Ind. 46536 4651 Prosper Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224 HP, LTR, MTR] HP, LTR] Phone: 574-784-3152 Todd Pickens, VP sales Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. Fax: 574-784-2385 Phone: 800-222-9092 Mitas Tires North America Inc. (Business unit of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.) Bridgestone Commercial Tire Web: www.hoosiertire.com Fax: 330-928-0503 (Subsidiary of Trelleborg A.B., Sweden) CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Solutions Group (Subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp., Japan) 535 Marriott Drive, Nashville, Tenn. 37214 Scott Damon, commercial group president Phone: 615-937-1000 Email: [email protected] Web: commercial.bridgestone.com; commercial. restone.com CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MAXXIS Brands: Bridgestone [MTR, OTR]; Dayton [MTR]; Firestone [F/I, MTR, OTR]; Regency TIRES DISTRIBUTOR TO GET [MTR] SIGNED UP TODAY Camso Inc. (Subsidiary of Group Michelin, France) 2633 rue MacPherson, Magog, Quebec, Canada J1X 0E6 Phone: 819-868-1500 Email: [email protected] Web: www.camso.co Brands: Camso [IND, OTR]; Rodaco [IND]; Solideal [IND, OTR]

Carlstar Group L.L.C. 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 500, Franklin, Tenn. 37067 Laren Harmon, exec. VP, global sales; Kent ASSOCIATE DEALER PROGRAM Allen, dir. aftmkt. sales Phone: 615-503-0220 Fax: 615-503-0228 Email: [email protected] Web: www.carlstargroup.com Brands: Carlisle [ATV, IND, F/I, OTR, STR]; ITP A Powerful new Program to ACCELERATE Profits [ATV]; Marastar [IND, STR] With the Maxxis Accelerate program working for you, your business will gain a Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. (Subsidiary of Continental A.G., Germany) strong competitive edge in a marketplace that rewards value. A brand born of 1830 MacMillan Park Drive, Fort Mill, S.C. 29707 performance, Maxxis supports your ability to build profit with a product line Phone: 704-583-8829 Fax: 704-583-8607 you can be proud to offer. Web: www.continentaltire.com Brands: Barum [P]; Continental [P, HP, LTR, MTR, IND]; General [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Sem- As a Maxxis Accelerate dealer, you will have unlimited access to the support of perit [P-winter]; Viking [P-winter] a Global Tire Manufacturing leader. Sign up and accelerate your success today! Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. 701 Lima Ave., Findlay, Ohio 45840 Christopher Ball, sr. VP and president, N.A. • Dealer Locator Tire Operations Phone: 419-423-1321 • Monthly and Quarterly Retail Promotions Fax: 419-424-4108 • Maxxis Branded Point of Sale materials Email: [email protected] Web: www.coopertire.com • Quarterly and Annual Bonus rewards Brands: Cooper [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Master- • Maxxis Wearables and promotional Items craft [P, LTR]; Roadmaster [MTR]; S t a r r e [P, HP, LTR] Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. www.maxxisaccelerate.com (Subsidiary of Giti Tire Investment Co. Ltd., Singapore) 10404 Sixth St., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 91730 Jim May eld, exec. VP; Armand Allaire, exec. VP commercial sales, N.A. Phone: 866-488-4737 Fax: 909-476-4028 Email: [email protected] Web: www.giti.com Brands: Giti [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; GT Radial [P, HP, LTR]; Dextero [P, LTR] – distributed by Walmart Inc.; Primewell [P, HP, LTR] – distributed by Bridgestone Americas through its captive retail store network.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 200 Innovation Way, Akron, Ohio 44316 0000 0000 0000 0000 Phone: 330-796-2121 Web: www.goodyear.com; www.dunloptires. Maxxis Authorized Dealer com; www.kellytires.com Brands: Dunlop^ [P, HP, LTR, MTR]; Goodyear# [P, HP, LTR, MTR, OTR]; Kelly [P, HP, LTR, MTR] 22 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport Flag-associate brand marketers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Fax: 724-349-8192 Brands: Bergougnan [IND]; Brawler 5665 Plaza Drive, Suite 250, Cypress, Calif. Email: [email protected] Titan International Inc. Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas [OTR]; ITL [IND]; Maine Tire [IND]; MITL 90630 Web: www.stausaonline.com 2345 E. Market St., Des Moines, Iowa Inc. – Agricultural & Forestry Division [IND]; Monarch [IND]; Orca [IND]; Trelle- Phone: 714-252-0007 Brands: American Carrier [OTR]; American 50317 (Subsidiary of Trelleborg Wheel Systems borg [IND] Fax: 714-252-0008 Contractor [IND]; American Farmer [F/I]; Paul Hawkins, sr. VP aftermarket sales S.p.A., Italy) Email: [email protected] American Logger [F/I]; American Racer Phone: 515-265-9200 80570 Trelleborg Drive, Spartanburg, S.C. Yokohama Tire Corp. Web: www.nittotire.com [Racing]; American XD Traxion [OTR]; STA Fax: 515-265-9301 29301 (Subsidiary of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., Brand: Nitto [P, HP, LTR] [LTB, P-B] Email: [email protected] Andrea Masella, country mgr. Japan) Web: www.titan-intl.com Phone: 866-633-8473 1 MacArthur Place, Suite 800, Santa Ana, Calif. Pirelli Tire L.L.C. Sumitomo Rubber North America Brands: Goodyear# [F/I, ATV]; Titan [F/I, IND, Email: [email protected] 92707 (Subsidiary of Pirelli & C. S.p.A., Italy) L.L.C. OTR, ATV] Web: www.trelleborg.com/wheels Dan Funkhouser, VP commercial sales; Larry 100 Pirelli Drive, Rome, Ga. 30161 (Subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Brands: Maximo [F/I]; Trelleborg [F/I] Krull, VP consumer sales Phone: 800-747-3554 Ltd., Japan) Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Phone: 800-423-4544 Fax: 706-368-5888 8656 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Business unit of Toyo Tire Holdings of Amer- Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Fax: 714-641-3017 Web: www.pirelli.com/tire/en-us/ 91730 icas Inc.) Inc. – Industrial Division Email: [email protected] Brands: Metzeler [MC]; Pirelli [P, HP, LTR, Matt Leeper, natl. sales dir.; Bob Klimm, 5665 Plaza Drive, Suite 300, Cypress, Calif. (Subsidiary of Trelleborg Wheel Systems Web: www.yokohamatire.com MC] dir., commercial sales 90630 S.p.A., Italy) Brands: Alliance~ [F/I, OTR]; Yokohama [P, Phone: 800-723-2553 Phone: 800-678-3250 107 Audubon Road, Building 2, Suite 205, HP, LTR, MTR, IND, OTR] Specialty Tires of America Inc. Fax: 800-950-2561 Fax: 714-229-6184 Wake eld, Mass. 01880 1600 Washington St., Indiana, Pa. 15701 Web: www.falkentire.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-548-8473 ^ = Goodyear owns exclusive rights to sell Don Trimble, asst. genl. sales mgr. Brands: Dunlop^ [P, LTR, MC]; Falken [P, HP, Web: www.toyotires.com Email: [email protected] Dunlop-brand passenger, light truck and Phone: 724-349-9010 LTR, MTR]; Ohtsu [P, HP, LTR] Brand: Toyo [P, HP, LTR, MTR] Web: www.trelleborg.com/wheels medium truck tires in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in the replacement market and to non-Japanese auto manufacturers as OE tments; Sumitomo Rubber has an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and sell Dunlop-brand consumer OE tires to Japanese-owned vehicle manufacturers in North America as well as motorcycle tires. # = Titan is licensed to use the Goodyear brand name for agricultural tires in North and South America and Europe. ~ = Also see Alliance Tire Americas under import branders Tireget.com selling Maxxis-brand products

SUWANEE, Ga. Maxxis International-USA recently authorized online tire site TireGet Inc. to sell Maxxis products on its tireget.com website. As an authorized dealer, Tire- Get.com can offer all Maxxis

manufacturer warranties. Chris Jenkins, president of TireGet.com, said his company is excited to become an authorized supplier of “quality Maxxis product.” “Maxxis is on the cusp of breaking out in the United States and sees our approach to the market as unique. We are glad to be able to offer this solid brand to the consumer.” The deal covers Maxxis-brand passenger, light truck and specialty trailer tires. Maxxis is one of two brands featured by name on the TireGet.com home page, along with Kumho. Suwanee-based Maxxis USA is a subsidiary of Taipei, Tai- wan-based Cheng Shin Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 23 Tire Business Special Feature TireBrandsReport

Michelin, Goodyear top J.D. Power OE consumer satisfaction study COSTA MESA, Calif. According to the study, owners report expecting The Michelin brand ranked rst in three of four vehicle more than 40,000 miles of tire wear but replacing full segments in J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Original Equipment sets of tires at just over 26,000 miles on average. Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, with Goodyear rank- “Based on typical driving habits, that could result ing highest in a fourth, the research rm reported. in costly purchases a full year earlier than expected, Michelin scored highest in the luxury (772 out of or worse yet, an unexpected replacement just before 1,000), passenger cars (756) and turning in a leased vehicle,” Mr. truck/utility (730) categories, J.D. Gruber said. Power said. Seventy-four percent of vehicle Goodyear placed highest in the owners who are extremely satis- performance sport category, with ed with both their vehicles and Monro adding Cooper 753 out of 1,000, J.D. Power said. OE tires indicate they “de nitely The study measured owner satis- would” repurchase the same brand faction in four key areas: tire wear; of vehicle, according to the report. to retail brand portfolio tire ride; tire appearance; and tire That number falls to 62 percent, traction/handling. however, when vehicle owners are FINDLAY, Ohio Mr. Hughes said. Overall customer satisfaction extremely satis ed with their vehi- Monro Inc. is adding the Cooper “We are excited that Cooper and with OE tires affects not only tire cles but less so with their tires. brand to the portfolio of brands Monro — two organizations that brand loyalty but also vehicle brand “While the tire experience alone available at its nearly 1,200 retail share a strong commitment to the loyalty, according to Brent Gruber, J.D. Power senior may not completely deter someone from remaining locations in operation in 28 states consumer, to continued growth and director, automotive quality practice. loyal to their vehicle brand, a bad tire experience can throughout the eastern U.S. outstanding service in the tire indus- “There is a big disconnect between consumers’ ex- certainly erode future owner loyalty,” Mr. Gruber said. The agreement to carry the brand try — are coming together to make pectation for the life of their OE tires and their actu- J.D. Power’s 2019 Original Equipment Tire Cus- ts in with Cooper’s declared strat- our great products and services al experiences,” Mr. Gruber said, “which we nd not tomer Satisfaction Study was based on responses from egy to build the brand and “empha- available to an ever wider audience only in uences how likely owners are to repurchase 27,777 owners of 2017 and 2018 model-year vehicles of consumers.” the same brand of tire, but also how likely they are to and was conducted in October-December 2018, the ‘We are excited that Mr. Hughes did not elaborate on repurchase the same brand of vehicle.” company said. Cooper and Monro — two what the deal with Monro might mean in terms of unit volume or rev- organizations that share a enue for Cooper, but he did say Mon- strong commitment to the ro would be stocking a “relatively consumer, to continued good portfolio” of Cooper-brand tires growth and outstanding and that both companies consider this a “partnership” that will grow service in the tire industry as Monro continues to build its net- — are coming together to work of retail stores. make our great products Mr. Hughes added this is one of a and services available to number of “strategic priorities” the an ever wider audience of company is executing to build business and grow the Cooper brand. consumers,” he added. Other moves include making inroads Brad Hughes, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. into the global OE business and intro- CEO and president, ducing new products at a faster pace. From its perspective, Monro g- size our strong value proposition to ures show the retailer installs more consumers,” Brad Hughes, Cooper than 3 million tires a year through Tire & Rubber Co. CEO and pres- its store network. ident, told stock analysts during the Among the major brands Monro rm’s recent scal 2018 nancial re- already carries are: BFGoodrich, sults conference call. Dunlop, Falken, General, Goodyear, “As our brand becomes even more Hankook, Kelly, Laufenn, Michelin recognized, our retail expansion and Pirelli, as well as the Pantera strategy becomes more important,” private brand. Walmart to sell TBB truck tires online ATLANTA nel as a way to improve the availability Walmart Inc. has added TBB- of GST’s products to the average con- brand medium truck tires to its on- sumers, while maintaining an effec- line tire product offering, according tive pricing structure. to Statewide Tires Inc., importer Parallel to the Walmart program, and marketer of the brand. TBB Tires is maintaining “healthy and productive” relationships with other existing wholesale dealerships, the West Covina, Calif.-based importer/wholesaler said. TBB an- Walmart lists four TBB-brand tires ticipates the brand exposure the on its site — the G110, G300, G320 Walmart deal will bring will help and KTX747 — in two sizes each. drive up demand for the brand. TBB tires are produced by Gen- Jiangsu GST established TBB eral Science Technology Co. Ltd. Tires in 2011 in West Covina. It (GST) of Wuxi, China. changed its name to Statewide Tires The relationship with Walmart in 2014. was struck by the sales team at Walmart also offers Americus-, GST’s recently opened Atlanta of- Cooper Roadmaster-, Double Coin-, ce, General Rubber North America Falken-, Hankook-, Roadlux-, Toyo- Co. Ltd., the company said. and Yokohama-brand medium truck General Rubber sees this new chan- tires through Walmart.com. 24 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com Hankook changes formal name Discount Tire debuts to Hankook Tire & Technology new slogan, campaign Miles Moore logo and font.” SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. [email protected] Hankook revamped its global corporate structure Discount Tire/America’s Tire has adopted a new marketing cam- SEOUL, South Korea recently to enhance competitiveness, including the cre- paign featuring the tagline “Let’s Get You Taken Care Of,” a message Hankook Tire Worldwide Co. Ltd. has adopted “Han- ation of an IT strategy department and a “Car Life Busi- the company said embodies its “culture of helping drivers feel at ease.” kook Technology Group” as its new identity and is chang- ness” headquarters, Hankook said. The message will be woven throughout all Discount Tire brand ing the names of several holding companies and major The company also is introducing “Proactive Culture,” messaging going forward, the Scottsdale-based dealership said, in- af liates, including “Hankook Tire & Technology” for a corporate culture where employees voluntarily become cluding digital, print and radio advertising, billboards, in-store sig- Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. the subject of innovation, ac- nage, web banners and more. The new identities are cording to Hankook. meant to reflect the com- “To this end, the company pany’s technological inno- will continue to strengthen vations and strengthen its its corporate culture to remove business development strate- uniform organizational culture, gy, Hankook said. to create a passionate working With these name chang- environment and horizontal es, Hankook is establishing communication,” the compa- a uni ed brand system, and ny said. The rst television commercial in the new campaign — titled these changes should repre- Among other Hankook “Lewis & Clark,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Lewis & Clark sent a turning point in en- af liates, the name changes Expedition of 1804-06 — debuted April 29 ahead of the summer va- hancing competitiveness, the company said. include: cation season. “The name change of Hankook Tire Group is an at- yy ATLASBX Co., a Korean battery company, will The commercial voice-over refers to the tires on the family SUV as tempt to cope with the era of the fourth Industrial Revo- change its name to Hankook Atlas BX. the “unsung pack mules of the Western passage” and suggests getting lution,” the tire maker said, “which increases the uncer- yy MK Technology Corp., a manufacturer of tire them inspected at a Discount Tire store before taking off. tainty of the future industrial ecosystem, to strengthen molds, tire curing containers and parts, will become Han- “We know people don’t always feel con dent about their tires, but the business competitiveness of individual af liates and kook Precision Works. that’s what we’re here for,” Lisa Pedersen, vice president of marketing to lay the groundwork for continuously promoting de- y EmFrontier Inc., an IT service and logistics engi- at Discount Tire, said. structive innovation that will challenge new business neering company, will become Hankook Networks. “‘Let’s Get You Taken Care Of’ is at the very core of our DNA. We development.” y Daehwa Engineering & Machinery Co. Ltd., a like to say we’re in the people business, we just happen to sell tires The company’s U.S. subsidiary will remain Hankook builder of machines used in tire manufacturing, will be- and wheels. Tire America Corp. come Hankook Engineering Works. “With more than 20,000 employees across the country, each one of “At the local level, our dealers and distributors will re- yy HK Automotive Co. Ltd., a company that covers us is putting people rst. It’s who we are,” she said. ceive the same outstanding service they’ve come to ex- dealerships, auto and tire maintenance and imported Discount Tire operates 1,020-plus stores in 35 states across the pect from Hankook Tire,” a company spokesperson said. auto parts, will become Hankook Car & Life. country, including California, where it uses America’s Tire as its store “Dealers and distributors will notice their new Han- Model Solution, which designs product prototypes, identi cation throughout most of the state. kook promotional materials feature the updated, sleeker will keep its current name.

components of the tire marker’s sports consumers between manufacturers Conti marketing strategy, including: and retailers. We’re not interested in CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 • Continued involvement in college growing the other way.” in Cabo San Lucas, including a basketball, including new deals with The disruptions that shaped 2018 night at Cabo Wabo Cantina, a pop- university programs at Maryland, prompted plenty of uncertainty for ular nightclub and restaurant found- Purdue, Xavier, Texas Christian, West dealers. ed by rock musician Sammy Hagar. Virginia, Auburn and Washington; “There is nothing we’re going to do Continental, Mr. Caldwell said, • Continued partnership with Dan because the system works for us the builds, develops, designs and mar- Patrick, a former ESPN sportscaster, way it was built today,” Mr. Caldwell kets tires. And, he told attendees, who hosts a popular radio show, as well said. “We’re not buying (American Continental knows what dealers do as with NASCAR legend Richard Petty; Tire Distributors Inc.), but we still best: Sell to consumers. • Expansion of the company’s pro- have to earn the sale from the deal- “So our plan of attack going for- fessional soccer sponsorships, includ- er. Those dealers have all the brands, ward is to remain not a competitor of ing the FIFA Women’s World Cup and whether on the Gold Program or not. yours, but a partner of yours and en- Major League Soccer (MLS), which is Somehow controlling where they can sure that we support you in the right adding franchises in four markets (Cin- or where they have to buy doesn’t way and making sure we have distrib- Tire Business photo by Don Detore cinnati, Miami, Nashville, Tenn., and change the fact that you still are com- utors that support us, and we want to Dealers from Tires, Tires, Tires of Sioux Falls, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, S.D., Austin, Texas) over the next two years. peting with those other products. make sure they’re successful as well.” who were enjoying Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on the Conti Gold Trip include, Mr. Rofer told dealers that Conti’s “So I think we have to win there. Continental, meanwhile, continued from left, Roxanne and Dan Nothdurft; Deb and Duane Lukes; and Gary and sports sponsorships in 2018 resulted Our team has to focus there. We don’t its strategy of taking steps not only Mary Michaels. The group was attending the closing celebration. in more than 16 billion online impres- win by changing the playing eld or to boost brand awareness through its will come in 41 sizes, covering 16- to it features Conti’s TractionPlus Tech- sions, exposure valued at $313 million. controlling this or controlling that. We marketing efforts, but also broaden 22-inch rim diameters, with speed rat- nology. The traction grooves provide College basketball (7.4 billion impres- win by competing against other manu- and improve its product portfolio. ings of T, H and V, providing 84-per- grip in snow, while the interlocking sions, $134 million in value) and MLS facturers on great product. Our people And that means new products. cent market coverage. It is backed by sipes provide stable handling, braking (6.2 billion impressions, $125 million who sell our products can be success- This year’s aggressive campaign a 65,000/70,000-mile limited tread- under heavy loads and all-season grip in value) led the way. ful doing that.” comprises four tires that have been wear warranty, a 60-day trial period, throughout the life of the tire. Mr. Rofer was equally excited Mr. Caldwell said globally, Con- or will be released this year, two in three-year roadside assistance and a The TerrainContact H/T lls a about Conti’s geotarget marketing, tinental A.G. wants to become one the light-truck/SUV/CUV market six-year limited treadlife warranty. gap in the Conti portfolio, sand- which he said can drive customers of the top three tire manufactur- and two in niche markets: It replaces the CrossContact LX20 in wiched between the TerrainContact to Gold Dealers via Conti/Gener- ers. Currently, the German-based • Continental CrossContact LX25, the replacement market; the LX20 will A/T and the CrossContact LX25. al mobile ads on websites and so- conglomerate ranks fourth, behind a replacement product for CUVs and continue as an OE-exclusive tment. Both the TerrainContact H/T and cial-media platforms. The market- Bridgestone, Michelin and Good- mid-sized SUVs; Mr. Maher told dealers the tire the CrossContact LX25 will launch ing is done within a ve-mile radius year, according to Tire Business’ • Continental TerrainContact H/T, stops shorter in wet conditions with in July, and together will cover 84 of the dealer’s location, and a user’s annual Global Tire Rankings. a replacement tire for on- and off- its EcoPlus technology traction percent of the market. browser behavior determines the “Each of us, in different parts of the road performance for the same ve- grooves and offers extended tread Orders are being accepted for the tire-buying consideration. business around the world, in different hicle segment; life and a “smooth, comfortable ride VikingContact 7, which the tire maker Conti, meanwhile, will continue to categories, are contributing to that,” • Viking Contact7, a winter tire without sacri cing responsiveness.” rolled out during an event in February. build its product portfolio and drive Mr. Caldwell said. “We need to keep for the sub-compact, compact, mid- The TerrainContact H/T, with a The tires begin shipping in August. customers to dealers and stay out of growing. We have a lot of runway in size and full-size passenger market 60,000/70,000-mile limited war- On April 1, Conti became an ap- the wholesale and retail markets. the U.S. market with our share of ac- and compact, and mid- and full-size ranty and 60-day trial period, will proved vendor for the National As- “Obviously we’re trying to grow in counts. The customers are telling us, CUV and SUV markets; and focus on pickup trucks and full-size sociation of State Procurement Of- the market, but through our custom- through their actions, whether we’re • General G-Max Justice, a prod- SUVs, also covering 16- to 22-inch ficials (NAPSO) for the next five ers, whether that’s retail or whole- doing the right thing or not. uct designed speci cally for agen- rim diameter sizes. It also will have years, as a prelude to the release of sale,” Mr. Caldwell said. “We have “It’s all about whether we’re doing cies such as police departments, 34 sizes — 24 metric and 10 light- the General G-Max Justice. our own retail (stores) in Europe, but the right actions, and the customers governmental entities and law-en- truck metric sizes — in rim diame- The product is available in six sizes that doesn’t t here. In my opinion be- decide how much we grow in the end.” forcement agencies. ters of 17 to 20 inches. that t four newer police vehicles as cause of the nature of the market, we “(Dealers) are looking for consis- According to Joe Maher, product “It has robust durability, performs well as two sizes for older vehicles. think (the disruption) actually creates tency,” Mr. Charity said, “and we manager for passenger and winter tires excellent in wet conditions and offers Regarding Conti’s promotional ef- opportunities for us, as there is more try to provide that. They’re still a in the U.S., the CrossContact LX25 a quiet ride,” Mr. Maher said, noting forts for 2019, Mr. Rofer highlighted and more of this competition for the very important part of what we do.” Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, May 13, 2019 • 25

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Quality used tires Customizable Mixes USED TIRES & CASINGS Domestic & International Shipping ALL SIZES 14”-24” Passenger Car, SUV, UHP & LT sizes Passenger, Lt. Truck, Lg. Truck Since 1957 Emanuel Tire, LLC Lakin Tire West Lakin Tire East 800-445-1887 Email: [email protected] (800) 488-2752 (800) 368-8473 www.lakintire.com 26 • May 13, 2019, TIRE BUSINESS Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com

on $200 billion of other goods. These ate negative impact not only on the U.S. busi- Clif Armstrong, president and CEO of Ma- Raising payments are partially responsible for nesses that manufacture and distribute these rangoni Tread North America, speaking on CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 our great economic results.” parts, but the motoring public who will see behalf of Retread Instead, noted that the new would institute the new tariffs, which he sanc- Mr. Trump doubled down on his comments higher prices on a wide range of products,” tariffs are over and above the countervail- tioned last year under Section 301 of the Trade May 8, tweeting that his proposals to raise ACA President and CEO Bill Hanvey said. ing and antidumping duties the International Act of 1974. He also said he would place 25 tariffs were having the desired effect on the David French, NRF senior vice president Trade Commission implemented in mid-Feb- percent tariffs on another $325 billion worth Chinese: for government relations, said his organiza- ruary. of Chinese goods, but the May 9 USTR notice “The reason for the China pullback & tion also opposes tariffs. “While the Section 301 trade tariff mov- did not mention that. attempted renegotiation of the Trade Deal “Tariffs are taxes paid for by American ing from the current 10 percent to 25 percent Section 301 allows the president to take re- is the sincere HOPE that they will be able business and consumers, not by China,” Mr. will have a positive impact on making both medial action against imports from countries to ‘negotiate’ with Joe Biden or one of French said. He cited a recent report stating non-Chinese-produced new tires and retread- that commit unfair trade practices against the very weak Democrats, and thereby that the 25-percent tariffs would cost the U.S. ing as a whole more competitive, it will not U.S. goods. continue to ripoff the United States ($500 934,000 jobs, cost the average U.S. family have the same impact as the AD and CVD Mr. Trump originally planned to institute billion a year) for years to come.…” $767 and reduce the Gross Domestic Product will have,” Mr. Armstrong said. the 25-percent tariffs Jan. 1. He later moved The ACA, which has opposed tariffs on by 0.37 percent. Nevertheless, “anything that brings parity the date to March 1, then nally postponed Chinese goods from the beginning, issued a AAM Editorial Manager Matthew McMul- to the market that allows quality and cost per them inde nitely pending the results of trade statement May 6 asking Mr. Trump to recon- lan blogged on the AAM website May 8, agree- mile to be a determining factor versus simply talks with China. sider. ing with the administration’s sentiments that the single-use and low acquisition cost is wel- However, on May 5 he said he believed the The organization said it supports the Trump Chinese were “backsliding” on their commit- come,” he said. tariffs were working and should be raised. administration’s efforts to combat China’s un- ment to resolve trade issues with the U.S. The stock market reacted shakily to the Mr. Trump tweeted: fair trade practices but opposes the use of tar- “There’s a lot of bipartisan support for the news of the higher tariffs. The Dow Jones “For 10 months, China has been paying iffs as a negotiating strategy. tough negotiation position the administration Industrial Average, after dropping 473 points Tariffs to the USA of 25 percent on $50 “The proposed sudden increase from 10 has taken,” Mr. McMullan wrote. “So don’t May 7, regained only 2.51 points May 8 to billion of High Tech, and 10 percent percent to 25 percent would have an immedi- settle for selling soybeans, Mr. President!” close at 25,967.33.7.

China passenger tire imports to U.S. China medium truck/bus tire imports to U.S. Millions of units Millions of units 250 25 25 50 49.4% 48 24.4% 24 48.2% 46 23.1% 23 43.2% 22 44 42 20.4% 217 21 41.8% 200 207 206 209 210 20 20 21.3 40 200 39.8% 38 194 199 19 19.7 190 18 37.8% 36 189 18.2 17 18.0 34 16 17.4 17.1 16.5 16.5 32 150 15 15 15.8 15.9 33.0% 30 13.3% 150 14 15.4% 149 147 148 150 14.6 28 143 13 29.5% 14.4 11.4% 25.0% 13.9 26 12 27.1% 13.2 126 24 120 11 12.9 114 22 100 11.4% 10 10 20 9 10.6 100 10.3 10.2 18 8 8.8 8.9 9.2** 16 7 8.4 7.8% 14 6 7.6 12 50 5 6.7 6.3 6.3 6.5 5 10 50 5.1% 4 46 4.9 8 3 4.3 37 3.9% 6 26 29 2 3.2 22 4 1 24 16 11 9 2 0 0 0 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. TIRE BUSINESS/Michael McCrady Chinese share* China Total imports U.S. aftermarket * Share of U.S. aftermarket. ** Increase vs. 2017 re ects pre-buying ahead of U.S. imports duties.

“tariff-beater” imports on hand Cooper noted in its rst quarter y Double Coin Holdings Ltd. Rayong Province, for passenger/light Impact could serve to ll the gap, at least nancial results it had incurred $10 built a plant for truck and OTR tires truck tires and added radial truck/ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 temporarily, for any shortfalls in million in costs related to the import in Rayong Province, Thailand, that bus tire capacity there a year later. problems facing importers and add a new imports, sources indicated. duties, which amount to slightly more went on stream in mid-2017 with The plant is rated at 5 million car wild card into the task of forecasting At this point it’s still speculation than 42 percent on Cooper products, rated annual capacities of 2.5 mil- tires and 700,000 truck/bus radials market changes. as to how much the duties — ranging Cooper President Brad Hughes said. lion radial truck tires and 50,000- a year. In fact, the imposition of a general from 20.98 to 63.34 percent counter- Cooper estimates the elevated im- plus OTR tires. Shipments to U.S. In addition, Cooper has agreed 10-percent tariff in September 2018 on vailing and 9 to 22.57 percent anti- port duties will result in $50 million customers began in April 2018. to work with Sailun Jinyu Group to $200 billion worth of goods from China dumping — will affect imports from in costs for the full year. Mr. Hughes y Guizhou Tyre Co. Ltd. is build a radial truck/bus tire plant near and the threat of hiking this to 25 per- China, but the track record for passen- said management expects there will building a truck/bus tire plant near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, rated at cent at year-end resulted in a spike in ger tire imports could be a blueprint. be additional incremental prices in- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is more than 2 million units annually. imports of truck/bus tires last year from Since the import duties took effect, creases this year but doesn’t expect rated at 1.2 million units a year, The venture will extend Cooper’s China to a record 9.2 million units. there have been a few disclosures of they will be suf cient to offset the with additional capacity foreseen in relationship with Sailun Jinyu, which The 42-percent increase in ship- price increases in response. Among full impact of the duty-related costs. Phase II and III expansions. already involves an offtake produc- ments was inated by perhaps 3 mil- these were: Bridgestone Americas Tire Despite the import duties and ad- y Jiangsu General Science Tech- tion agreement covering produc- lion units (or more) by importers’ Operations raising prices 20 percent ditional costs, Mr. Hughes stressed in nology Co. Ltd. announced plans in tion of Cooper’s Roadmaster-brand placing extra orders toward year-end on March 5 on all Dayton-brand comments to nancial analysts during late 2018 for a passenger and truck/ truck/bus tires at the company’s to get product on-shore prior to the truck and bus radial tires sold in the a conference call that Cooper is com- bus tire plant Rayong Province, with existing Vietnam plant and Sailun threatened year-end bump to 25 per- U.S.; and Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. mitted to continued growth of its TBR capacities of 6 million passenger tires Jinyu’s pending purchase of a 35-percent, multiple sources said. raising dealer base prices May 1 on business, with both the Cooper and and 1 million truck/bus tires annually. cent stake in Cooper’s Qingdao Ge While the administration eventu- its commercial tire range by an aver- Roadmaster-brand product lines. y Qingdao Sentury Tire Co Ltd. Rui Da Rubber Co. Ltd. (GRT) joint ally postponed those tariffs — which age of 5 percent, with the exception In addition, Prinx Chengshan opened a plant in Rayong Province in venture in Qingdao, China. were scheduled to take effect May 10 of the Toyo M320 on-/off-road tire. Tire Co. Ltd. — a former Cooper 2015 rated initially at 5 million car/ U.S. import statistics from the past — the importers’ moves proved provi- Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., which Tire joint venture — has put on hold LT tires annually before expanding several years show the shift away from dential when the Department of Com- sources all of its Cooper- and Road- plans to launch a truck tire brand in to 12 million tires in Phase II. China markedly. merce handed down in February its master-brand truck tires from Chi- North America, citing the impact of yy Sailun Jinyu Group Co. Ltd. Passenger tire imports from Thai- decision to impose countervailing and na, raised prices by an undisclosed the import duties and the potential opened a plant in Tay Ninh Province, land, for example, have tripled in the antidumping duty orders on truck and amount at the start of the second to source tires from a plant being Vietnam, in November 2014, for ra- past four years, rising to 33.8 mil- bus tires from China, sources said. quarter to compensate for the ele- built in Chonburi, Thailand. The dial car, truck and OTR tires (rated lion units last year from 11.2 million The surplus inventory of these vated import duties. plant has a nameplate capacity of capacity of 12 million units a year ) in 2015. Likewise, light truck tire 4 million passenger and 800,000 and is building a second factory there imports from Thailand have dou- truck/bus radials. for radial truck and OTR tires rated bled to 6.64 million units in 2018 At the same time, though, the im- at 1.2 million truck/bus tires and versus 3.03 million in 2015. port “shockwave” of 2015 — along 30,000 metric tons of OTR tires an- Truck/bus tire imports have risen with increased scrutiny of imports nually. as well, but not quite as dramatical- USED TIRES FOR SALE by governments in Europe and else- yy Shandong Linglong Tire Co. ly — up 40 percent to 2.45 million where — prompted several major Ltd. opened a car/light truck tire units last year. The 2019 data very Looking for a company to purchase all or most of our quality used Chinese tire makers to consider in Chonburi, Thailand, in 2014 and likely will show a marked change. tires and casings. Need a consistent buyer that is capable of building capacities outside of China. added radial truck tires to the mix a At the same time, Vietnam has handling a large volume of car, light truck, and semi tires. In the past ve years at least eight year later. The plant is rated at 1.2 emerged as viable player in the glob- 2000+ Passenger and light truck tires and 400+ semi per week. major Chinese companies have built million truck/bus tires and 12 mil- al tire sourcing game, shipping 8.5 You must visit our facility and sort your own tires. We’ve been in business for 25+ years and are very reputable. or are in the process of building tire lion car/LT tires a year. million passenger tires to the U.S. plants outside of China, predominant- y Zhongce Rubber Group Co. last year, nearly double the volume Contact Dave at 701-319-0777 ly in Thailand but also in Vietnam: Ltd. opened a plant in mid-2015 in in 2015.