Retail Tire Pricing: An In-Depth Look
Retail tire pricing has been "volatile" and "turbulent," says JP Brooks, chief revenue officer at Fitment Group. He explains why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Jun 26, 2025•21 min•Ep. 117
The Modern Tire Dealer Show
The Modern Tire Dealer Show provides a regular look at the tire industry with special attention to the independent tire dealer. The show features interviews, conversations and analysis from industry leaders and the staff of Modern Tire Dealer magazine, including Editor Mike Manges, Managing Editor Joy Kopcha and Associate Editor Maddie Gehring.
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Episodes
What the EV Mandate Rollback Means for Auto Repair
The U.S. Senate has rolled back California’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate — so what does that mean for tire dealers amping up their EV service business? Craig Van Batenburg has been in the hybrid and EV world for decades, and he spends his days training technicians how to safely work with high-voltage systems. Craig says tire dealers need to take the politics out of the EV conversation and focus on what really matters — caring for customers and their vehicles.
Jun 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 116
How Culture Drives Tire Dealership Performance
What does it mean to create a truly customer-centric environment at your tire dealership — and how can it benefit both your business and your team? Randy O’Connor, owner of D2D Development Group and MTD columnist, joins this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show to break it down.
May 29, 2025•27 min•Ep. 115
Why the Customer is Sometimes Wrong
Is the customer always right? "No," says Dennis McCarron. Find out why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
May 15, 2025•17 min•Ep. 113
How Private Equity Is Looking at the Tire Industry in 2025
With an uncertain economy, more tariffs and the unpredictability of President Donald Trump, are private equity groups still as interested in tire dealerships as they have been in recent years? MTD’s Mergers & Acquisitions Columnist Cole Strandberg weighs in on the current state of the market in 2025. He says private equity groups are seeking creative ways to join the tire industry.
May 01, 2025•14 min•Ep. 114
A Program For Tool Acquisition
NAPA Auto Care has a new program that helps technicians purchase the tools they need. Learn more on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Apr 17, 2025•18 min•Ep. 112
A Look at I&I Mobile Tire Services' Journey
In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, husband-and-wife duo Ini and Ijeoma Ibanga share their journey from running a traditional brick-and-mortar tire shop to launching their own mobile tire service, I&I Mobile Tire Services. Learn how they’re revolutionizing the industry by delivering tire solutions directly to customers—whether at home, on the road, or on the job site. Tune in to hear how their innovative approach is redefining convenience and customer service in the tire business...
Apr 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 111
How to Offer ADAS Service at Your Dealership
Sponsored Podcast: In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, David Henry, sales development manager at Hunter Engineering Co.'s training department, discusses why you should get on-board with ADAS service and what's needed to make that happen.
Mar 20, 2025•13 min•Ep. 110
How to Capture More Customers
In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Aubrey Amborn, director of sales for NetDriven, provides advice on how to keep up with customers' shopping preferences so you can capture more business.
Mar 06, 2025•21 min•Ep. 109
Bill Hanvey Talks Right to Repair Impact on Tire Industry
The Right to Repair movement is gaining momentum, and its impact on independent tire dealers is more significant than ever. In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, breaks down the latest legislative updates, what’s at stake for tire dealers and how the industry can take action. Tune in to hear how these changes could affect your business and what you can do to stay ahead.
Feb 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 108
Tire Safety Basics From Kevin Rohlwing
Following the rules of safety is the best way to ensure tire dealers send their personnel home and in good health at the end of every workday. But Kevin Rohlwing, chief technical officer for the Tire Industry Association, says taking safety seriously also benefits your customers. “It’s not just the health and safety of your employees. It’s the health and safety of your customers.” We cover some of the basics of safety in a retail tire dealership with Rohlwing on this episode of The Modern Tire D...
Feb 06, 2025•37 min•Ep. 107
Editors Preview MTD's 2025 Facts Issue
In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, MTD's editors provide a preview of MTD's 2025 Facts Issue, our exclusive, comprehensive look at the U.S. tire industry.
Jan 23, 2025•21 min•Ep. 106
Why Spencer Carruthers Loves His Dealership's 'New Normal'
Operational changes Spencer Carruthers made during COVID-19 have become the "new normal" at his dealership, West Bridgewater, Mass.-based Kenwood Tire - and he couldn't be happier. Find out why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Jan 09, 2025•19 min•Ep. 105
'We Have an Infinite Mindset'
In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Logan Wilks, vice president of Albertville, Ala.-based Wilks Tire & Battery Service, discusses how having "an infinite mindset" helps his dealership overcome present-day challenges.
Dec 26, 2024•17 min•Ep. 104
Managing Family Businesses and Emerging Trends in the Tire Industry
Join Larry Sutton, founder of RNR Tire Express, and Adam Sutton, CEO of RNR Tire Express, for an insightful conversation on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show. This dynamic father-and-son duo shares their experiences navigating the challenges and rewards of working together in a family business. They also discuss how RNR Tire Express stays ahead in the ever-evolving tire industry, offering valuable lessons for dealers and industry professionals alike.
Dec 12, 2024•26 min•Ep. 103
A Tire Dealer of the Year Who Isn’t Afraid to Change
Beth Barron is Modern Tire Dealer’s reigning Tire Dealer of the Year. And in the 30-plus years she’s been working at Chabill’s Tire & Auto Service, the business has undergone plenty of changes. Barron isn’t afraid of change, and shares four key decisions that have helped propel Chabill’s Tire & Auto Service into a more profitable and efficient operation. Learn from her award-winning style on this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Nov 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 102
What a Second Trump Presidency Means for Tire Dealers
In this special, post-election episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Roy Littlefield IV, vice president of government affairs for the Tire Industry Association, explains how a second Donald Trump presidency could impact independent tire dealers.
Nov 14, 2024•17 min•Ep. 101
Navigating Tire Industry Disruptions
The tire industry seems to be full of disruptions. Randy O’Connor, owner and principal of D2D Development Group, says for the most part disruptions in the tire industry have leveled out. However, there are many things tire dealers can do now to help them get through industry disruptions. O’Connor touches on this and more in the latest episode of the Modern Tire Deale Show.
Oct 31, 2024•32 min•Ep. 100
Answers to Frequently Asked TPMS Questions
Sponsored Podcast: In this special episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, John Amato, director of training for Autel, answers frequently asked questions about how tire dealers can maximize TPMS profit potential.
Oct 17, 2024•14 min•Ep. 99
The 'Chick-Fil-A' of Tire Retail
David Gray wants his company, Gray's Tire & Service Center, to be "the Chick-Fil-A" of tire dealerships. He explains why in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Oct 03, 2024•20 min•Ep. 97
Why Joe Tomarchio Thinks Private Equity Is Good for Independent Tire Dealers
Joe Tomarchio, the man who helped Monro Inc. more than triple in size through 60-plus acquisition deals, doesn’t think tire dealers should fear the growing interest of private equity in the tire industry. He explains the positives he sees for independent tire dealers as they face new competitors, and new buyers in the market. Join Tomarchio for this exclusive conversation, and learn what he’s doing in retirement, on The Modern Tire Dealer Show. (Hint: he’s not really retired. He’s just slowing d...
Sep 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 98
Joe Tomarchio Offers Tough Love for the Tire Industry
There’s a lot that can be said about Joe Tomarchio. A co-founder of the Mr. Tire store chain that he and his brother sold to Monro Inc. in 2004, he has spent more than 50 years in the tire industry. He has fine-tuned his retail strategy after also leading more than 1,100 tire and automotive service locations in 27 states for Monro. He sees things as black and white — and that includes everything from the importance of human capital and paying employees well to charging customers appropriately an...
Sep 05, 2024•34 min•Ep. 96
Choosing the Right Vendor for Your Dealership
Finding the right vendor is crucial to the success of an independent tire dealership. In this episode of the Modern Tire Dealer Show, Steve Kruse, co-owner of Mitchem Tire Co., a four-location dealership in Springfield, Mo., shares insights on the importance of vendor relationships and how to identify the right partners for your business model.
Aug 22, 2024•12 min•Ep. 95
Why Private Equity is Buying Small Tire Dealerships
M&A expert Michael McGregor discusses why smaller tire dealerships are attractive targets for acquisition by private equity groups in this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Aug 08, 2024•21 min•Ep. 94
How TPMS Tools Have Evolved
Sponsored Podcast: John Amato, director of training for Autel, explains how TPMS tools have evolved in this can’t-miss episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
Jul 25, 2024•15 min•Ep. 93
How to Rethink Your Workforce Strategy
Complaining about problems in the workforce doesn’t help you fill the open spots on your roster. And strategist Mike Brown says a gift card for lunch or doughnuts for breakfast only goes so far to incentivize team members to do great work day after day. Brown, the founder and CEO of Brainzooming, says tire dealers need to zero in on the critical role their workers play in making their businesses successful and more profitable, and then design compensation packages and incentives that feed into t...
Jul 11, 2024•24 min•Ep. 92
Revolutionizing Employee Training with Online Solutions
Employee training is crucial in the automotive and tire industry, but finding time can be a challenge. In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, Dave Boyes, president of Today’s Class, shares insights on the importance of online training and how it can be the solution.
Jun 27, 2024•17 min•Ep. 91
Has Retail Tire Pricing 'Normalized?'
In this episode of The Modern Tire Dealer Show, JP Brooks, chief revenue officer at Fitment Group, examines retail tire pricing at the mid-year point and provides a preview of what to expect during the second half of 2024.
Jun 13, 2024•18 min•Ep. 90
Kevin Rohlwing Shares How to Be Ready for Anything
When it comes to planning for the future of your tire dealership, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all of the things to consider and prioritize. We talked with Kevin Rohlwing about what tire dealers need to do today to prepare for the tire store of tomorrow, and it surprisingly all came down to one word. Rohlwing, the chief technical officer for the Tire Industry Association, shares his thoughts on The Modern Tire Dealer Show.
May 30, 2024•28 min•Ep. 89
A Deep Dive Into Direct and Indirect TPMS
Sponsored Podcast: Will the future of TPMS be direct or indirect? John Amato, director of training for Autel, explains the differences between direct and indirect TPMS systems, the advantages of each and more.
May 16, 2024•14 min•Ep. 88
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