What’s Treading with Tire Review

Babcox Media

What’s Treading with Tire Review brings you the latest tire industry trends, issues, technology and shop management practices among dealers in the industry today.

  1. 4d ago

    Inside the Massive Tennessee Tire Plant Powering Hankook’s U.S. Growth

    The Hankook Clarksville plant puts a lot of big tire industry talking points under one very large roof: domestic production, product availability, supply chain stability and proof-of-product testing. I visited Hankook’s Tennessee campus for a closer look at the company’s North American manufacturing strategy, including the Phase Two expansion that is expected to add another 4.5 million to 5 million consumer units of annual capacity. The plant first began domestic production in 2017 with about 4.5 million units of annual capacity, and Hankook is also beginning medium commercial tire production at the site, with plans to reach up to 1 million medium truck units. “I think we’re all aware of what’s going on in the market with tariffs. A lot of product is coming in from all over the world, and we feel it’s very important to have domestic production with an American-made product," said Rob Williams, President and CEO of Hankook Tire North America. "It’s good from a supply chain standpoint. It’s also very important for dealers to be able to get product just in time.” Inside the facility, automation plays a major role, from AI-driven forklifts to highly technical equipment operated from control panels. Hankook also benefits from sister companies that help build the equipment and technology used in its tire production process. “Today, with any production, automation is very important. Innovation is very important. It still has the human element, though," Williams said. "We never want to feel like the technology overshadows the human element. However, today we can employ people who know they can work on state-of-the-art equipment. You’ll see forklifts running around that are all AI-driven. We literally can have one operator operate multiple pieces of equipment because in a lot of cases, they’re really just overseeing the control panel.” The visit also included drive time on several Tennessee-made products, including the Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, Laufenn X Fit AT2, Dynapro XT and DynaPro MT2. Between the expanded plant, warehouse space and proving ground behind the facility, the Hankook Clarksville plant is becoming a major part of how the company plans to grow in North America. www.tirereview.com www.hunter.com

    7 min

  2. Jun 2

    Why Road Gators Usually Aren’t Failed Retreads

    Commercial tire retreading still carries a few stubborn myths, and Shaun Uys, Head of Replacement Commercial Tires at Continental Tire, says it's time to clear them up. In this episode of What's Treading, Uys explains why drivers see “road gators” on the highway. He says failed retreads usually do not cause them. He also explains why a properly managed retread process can match a new tire’s performance. Then, he breaks down Continental’s 3G casing approach. This approach gives fleets a stronger platform for multiple retread cycles when they properly maintain tires. Uys also discusses the technology and quality checks behind Continental’s retreading process. He covers casing inspection, buff angles, curing cycles, cushion gum and AI-supported analysis. For tire dealers working with fleets, he explains how retreads can lower tire costs. He also explains how retreads can extend casing value and support a more complete tire program. Uys says when fleets can reuse a casing multiple times, the cost savings can be “really significant.” www.tirereview.com/subscribe

    6 min

  3. May 19

    Inside Big O Tires’ Push for Smart, Consistent Growth

    At this year’s Big O Tires Convention & Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, Big O leadership and franchisees gathered to discuss the company’s growth, franchise strategy and long-term goals for the dealer network. The event featured more than 60 vendors and brought together franchisees from across Big O’s more than 470 locations. In this episode of What’s Treading, we speak with Big O Tires COO Gary Skidmore about balancing new store growth with same-store sales growth as the franchise network continues expanding. Growth and Franchise Alignment Big O added 14 stores in 2025, a record for the company. But, according to Skidmore, growth only works if franchisees and corporate leadership remain aligned on long-term goals and operational strategy. He explains that Big O’s focus is not simply on opening more locations, but finding franchisees that fit the company’s culture and structure as the network grows.

    3 min

  4. May 5

    The Exact Moment to Open a Second Tire Shop

    During the K&M Tire Dealer Conference, David Sickels moderates a roundtable with three independent operators answering a critical question dealers face: when to expand a tire shop. The panel features Austin Miller of Tire Star (4 locations), Dan Rhonda of Ronda Auto Centers (2 locations, previously scaled higher), and John Wood of Warren Tire Service Center (15 locations). When to expand a tire shop comes down to three factors: staffing, capacity, and financial readiness. Miller explains that early growth came from opportunity and long hours, but sustainable expansion requires a shop that can operate without the owner. Rhonda highlights how having trusted people in place makes scaling easier, especially in multi-store environments. Wood points to capacity as the trigger – when customers are being pushed out weeks, it’s time to grow. For independent tire dealers evaluating growth, this is a direct look at when to expand a tire shop and what it takes to make it work. Key takeaways for tire dealers: Expand when your shop is consistently at capacity Build leadership before adding a second location Expect some business to shift between stores Location, parking, and supplier proximity matter more than expected Strong systems and vendor relationships improve with scale

    55 min

  5. Apr 21

    Inside Hankook’s TGL Marketing Strategy

    The Hankook TGL partnership is about so much more than golf. At the TGL Finals inside the SoFi Center, designers center everything around performance. The simulator, the rotating green, the broadcast presentation – every part of the experience is structured to make performance visible and easy to understand. That’s exactly why Hankook wants its brand associated with this environment. What Makes TGL Different TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League) blends live competition with real-time data and broadcast technology. Systems track, measure, and display every shot instantly. That turns the performance into something jaw-droppingly visual. That matters because it mirrors how people explain tire performance. Measurable attributes like grip, wear, rolling resistance, and traction define tires. Inside TGL, the system presents performance in a very similar way through data and immediate feedback. The Hankook TGL partnership places the brand inside an environment where those types of metrics are front and center. It’s a natural alignment between product and platform. Why Controlled Environments Matter for the Hankook TGL Partnership Inside the SoFi Center, lighting, camera angles, digital overlays, and crowd experience are all controlled. That helps Hankook’s brand appear the same way every time within a setting built around advanced technology. For the tire manufacturer, the partnership is measurable, explainable performance, and that is something tire dealers can use to build trust with their customers. Subscribe: tirereview.com/subscribe.

    5 min

  6. Apr 7

    Will Mickey Thompson’s Baja Belted II Tire Change How Trucks Get Built?

    Some tires follow trends, while others bring one back. Mickey Thompson's Baja Belted II is bringing back classic style and design while updating its features and constructions to match the expectations of today's driver. In this episode of What's Treading, Mickey Thompson’s Senior Product Manager of Light Truck and Off-Road, Ben Anderson, walks through the return of the Baja Belted, a name that dates back to off-road racing in the late '70s and a Baja 1000 win in 1982. The Baja Belted II keeps the look enthusiasts want while updating the construction, tread design, and sizing to match how these trucks are actually being built today. “You’re going to have people building the vehicle around this tire,” Anderson says. For dealers, Ben says this is a niche product with real pull for the right customer. The size range alone, stretching from 15-inch fitments all the way to 30-inch show builds, opens the door to conversations dealers likely aren't having with traditional A/T or M/T buyers. More importantly, Ben says, it gives dealers a reason to engage with customers who are chasing a specific look. The episode also digs into what has changed from the original. It adds a non-directional tread pattern for easier rotation and wear management. It updates pitch sequencing for a quieter ride. And, it tweaks the sidewall design and still delivers flotation and sand performance people know from the Baja Belted name.

    20 min

  7. Mar 17

    Why Formula E Drivers Use Just One Tire for Both Wet and Dry

    At the Formula E race in Miami, the Formula E EV tire plays a bigger role than most fans realize. Beneath the car, Hankook’s iON Race tire must handle extreme EV torque, heavy vehicle weight and changing track conditions – all with a single tire design. Unlike many racing series, Formula E teams don’t switch between slicks and rain tires. Engineers must design one tire that performs in both wet and dry conditions while maintaining durability and efficiency under the unique loads created by electric race cars. Inside the tire, the technology goes far beyond a typical TPMS sensor. Each iON Race tire includes a specialized monitoring system capable of measuring temperature in up to 15 positions inside the tire, giving teams and FIA officials real-time insight into tire performance and pressure compliance during the race. For Hankook engineers, Formula E serves as a proving ground for future EV tires. Data gathered on the track helps the company refine designs that can handle the instant torque, heavier weight and efficiency demands of modern electric vehicles. Subscribe to Tire Review for more behind-the-scenes coverage of tire technology and motorsport engineering: www.tirereview.com/subscribe

    6 min

  8. Mar 3

    Can Point S Reach 500 Stores? Leadership Talks What’s Driving Growth

    Three years ago, Point S set an ambitious goal: 500 stores in 50 states within five years. At its 2026 Annual Owners Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, leadership shared how close the group is to that goal, and what still stands in the way. In this episode of What’s Treading, Senior Editor Christian Hinton spoke with Point S leadership and dealers about distribution challenges, vendor partnerships, brand consistency and what’s fueling expansion across nearly 40 states. Can Point S Reach 500 Stores? In 2023, Point S had 275 stores in 29 states. Today, the network stands at 464 stores across 39 states, including 80 new locations added in 2025 alone. Clint Young, president and COO of Point S, says growth has been strong... but not without hurdles. “Our biggest Achilles heel with growth has always been distribution,” Young said. “We’re working to find dealers that are large enough to be able to take direct shipments and we can facilitate a very good member experience with them. So that’s still a challenge, and we’re looking at some growth opportunities with warehousing and some partnerships that we’re really excited about.” CEO Walter Lybeck said improvements in third-party distribution have already helped accelerate expansion. “Third-party distribution was not as developed a couple of years ago as it is now," he said. "That’s something that’s really been able to help us in filling up that bucket for our new members.” Distribution and Platinum Partner Strategy Leadership emphasized that growth is not just about adding store count. It’s also about strengthening dealer profitability and alignment. The 2026 promotional calendar centers around four Platinum Partners and 10 member-focused campaigns. According to Lybeck, narrowing that focus brings clarity. “By having four platinum partners, it really helps our members kind of focus on what it is that we need to be purchasing," he said. Young added that the structure creates energy at the store level. “That’s going to give our owners and their store team members a lot of excitement and their communities to go out and connect with their populations and sell tires, so that is a big win for us,” he said. Why Brand Consistency Matters Brand consistency across more than 450 independent locations was another key theme of the meeting, and dealers echoed that sentiment. Michael Montgomery, general manager of TNT Tire Point S in Tacoma, Washington, said even simple upgrades make a difference. “New paint, 20-foot aprons in front of each one of the bay doors. New asphalt throughout the entire parking lot," he explained. "If it looks good, they’ll feel comfortable coming in.” Vendor Relationships and Dealer Momentum The vendor show, featuring about 80 vendors, remains central to the annual meeting. Young said the event builds more than purchasing power. “It sounds like you go to a vendor show to do business, but you really go there to build relationships with the vendors," he said. "What ends up happening is the members are building relationships with each other.” With 464 stores, expanded distribution support and a Top 3 Tire Dealer ranking in Consumer Reports, Point S leadership believes the path to 500 stores is becoming clearer — powered by relationships, brand alignment and disciplined growth.

    7 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

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What’s Treading with Tire Review brings you the latest tire industry trends, issues, technology and shop management practices among dealers in the industry today.

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