Tire Business Special Report Tire Discounters focuses Mountain View Q&As with tire Mid-YearTireReport 10 on training to improve 11 Tire & Service 12-13 industry experts Focusing on the aftermarket employee experience sees rising sales June 24, 2019 $79 per year, $4 per copy www.tirebusiness.com The end of an era Zielasko to retire from TB, begin another chapter in industry By Dave Zielasko who co-founded Rubber & Plastics News, employees. This was the foundation estab- [email protected] founded Tire Business for Crain and ac- lished by company founder G.D. Crain. It’s t doesn’t seem possible that I am writ- quired European Rubber Journal, the three why Crain, in my opinion, continues to this ing a column about my retirement from publications I have had the honor to lead. day as one of the world’s premier publish- ICrain Communications Inc., my em- Dad was my mentor and an outstanding ing and media companies. ployer for more than three decades. editor and publisher. He taught me how to Thanks to RPN, Tire Business and ERJ, I don’t feel old and still have the same write and report, the importance of retain- I’ve gotten to know and understand two vi- enthusiasm, joy and wonder I had when I ing one’s ethics, how hard work pays off tal and vibrant industries on different con- joined the company nearly 35 years ago and the value of keeping costs to a mini- tinents. I’ve met more amazing people than as chief copy editor of Rubber & Plastics mum and quality high. I was blessed to I can remember, seen the world and written News, moving a few months later to a edg- have him as a father. and reported for publications that I believe ling tabloid called Tire Business, where I’ve What I didn’t know at the time was Crain our readers truly appreciate. spent a good part of my career. Communications had that same journalism Throughout this journey, I’ve worked What a ride it’s been, starting the rst two philosophy: A focus on news, where the with amazing colleagues starting with years working for my dad, Ernie Zielasko, reader comes rst, solid ethics, care for its SEE ZIELASKO, PAGE 22 Goodyear to re-enter Secret of success international racing ITDG celebrates silver anniversary as growth spurt continues By Don Detore [email protected] Tire maker may take on broader program PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic By Bruce Davis year-branded program will replace The group may have celebrated [email protected] the Dunlop-brand race program in the its 25th anniversary in a place called LE MANS, France WEC starting with the 2019-20 season. “Secrets,” but Dave Marks said Goodyear plans to re-enter inter- Teams using Dunlop race tires there’s no mystery why Independent national sports-car racing later this have won the WEC’s LMP2 cate- Tire Dealers Group L.L.C. (ITDG) year with its Goodyear brand, start- gory at Le Mans nine straight years. has grown as much as it has. ing with the FIA World Endurance Goodyear said the Dunlop brand It’s all about the people, he said, Championship (WEC), including will continue in motorsports in both who are committed to hard work, the Le Mans 24-hour race. car and motorcycle racing. Among open dialogue and an expectation The decision is seen as a prelude the major series where Dunlop is ac- that if someone falls, others will to a broader program that tive is the British Touring be there to pick them up and help could involve prototype and Car Championship, which them succeed. GT-style racing. has a racing tire supply “I’m very proud of the people in Goodyear — which last and title sponsorship with this group,” said Mr. Marks, who competed under the Good- Dunlop through the 2021 in July will celebrate his second year brand in international season. anniversary as president and CEO endurance racing in 2006 — Group Michelin has of the group. disclosed its plans just days been the primary tire sup- “There’s no room for egos. There Tire Business photo by Don Detore ahead of the 2019 Le Mans plier for WEC since 2012 just isn’t. That’s why I’m proud to be ITDG leaders Dave Marks (left), president and CEO, and Chris Barry, se- 24-hour race, which ran and agreed in 2017 to con- part of it. Most of us come from hum- nior sales director, address dealers at the Farewell Dinner. June 15-16 on the famed Le- Crawley tinue supplying race tires ble beginnings. We’re just working ference, featuring most of ITDG’s reach a certain monetary number of Sarthe circuit in west-cen- through at least the 2020- stiffs. We get the job done, and we’ll vendors, was held at the all-inclusive sales in a given year and elect to buy tral France. 21 season. be there for each other. If someone Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa in a share of ITDG stock. The FIA World Endurance Cham- Technically speaking, the WEC is has a great idea, (everyone says) bring Punta Cana. In the rst ve months pionship features long-distance rac- an open competition series for tire it on. We don’t care who it is.” ITDG began in 1994 of 2019, nine dealerships es on four continents with the Le makers, but Michelin has been the A contingent of 250-plus mem- with a handful of inde- have joined ITDG, as well Mans season nale, a race won 14 only one supplying the series’ top bers, spouses, vendors and other pendent dealers based in as four shareholders. Since times by Goodyear-equipped cars. Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) class invited guests not only shared ideas California only and has 2004, ITDG has more The last win was in 1997. for the past few years. The regula- but also shared plenty of meals, grown into a group with than doubled the number of Goodyear has competed in the tions do not stipulate that a tire mak- humor and camaraderie during the 159 members that operate members and locations. Since WEC for the past eight seasons with er supply a minimum percentage ve-day excursion in early May to 727 locations in 43 states coast- 2016 alone, the group has added 16 its Dunlop brand, but the new Good- SEE GOODYEAR , PAGE 22 celebrate ITDG’s silver anniversary. to-coast. Many of the members members and 118 locations. The annual Trade Show and Con- are shareholders — members who SEE ITDG, PAGE 20 ©Entire contents copyright 2019 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved. 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Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, June 24, 2019 • 3 IndustryNews Michelin veteran Garcin named to lead N.A. unit GREENVILLE, S.C. the global level, Michelin said. Group Michelin has promoted “I am con dent in the future of Alexis Garcin, a 17-year Michelin our company as we continue to fo- veteran, to chairman and president cus on bringing our sustainable of Michelin North America Inc., suc- mobility strategy to life — the crit- ceeding Scott Clark, who was recent- ical balance of customer-centricity, ly promoted to group executive vice nancial results, respect for the en- president responsible for the global vironment and empowerment of our passenger car and light truck busi- people,” Mr. Garcin said in a state- Supreme Court refuses ness, motorsports and experiences. Garcin Clark ment provided by Michelin. Mr. Garcin has been senior “This is an exciting opportunity vice president of Michelin’s global ters, from Clermont-Ferrand, France. to work with our team in the North to hear lawsuit appeal long-distance transportation business “Alexis brings an interpersonal style American region to better serve our By Miles Moore Schwab of knowingly selling him a line since 2018. From 2011 to 2017, he and a leadership approach that direct- customers and drive the business [email protected] defective tire. He sought economic was global strategic marketing direc- ly re ect the group’s core values,” Mi- forward.” WASHINGTON damages of $10 million and non-eco- tor for the truck and bus division. chelin CEO Florent Menegaux said. Before joining Michelin, Mr. Gar- The U.S. Supreme Court has re- nomic damages of up to $500,000. In his new position, Mr. Garcin “His experience and expertise will fa- cin worked for Bosch Group. He fused to hear an appeal of a wrong- Toyo and Les Schwab moved for will be responsible for all key “cus- cilitate the group’s continued growth holds a degree in economical sciences ful death lawsuit, which the tire dismissal, on the grounds that Mr.