What is the biggest challenge facing OTR tire manufacturers and dealers right now?
Cicero: Many dealers have inventory that they purchased during the shortage of product that they are now holding. We’re trying to shoulder some of that burden for our dealers with our warehouse in Tennessee. Fenner: The biggest challenge for all is to effectively manage our businesses. Both manufacturers and dealers need to stay close to their customers. Manufacturers need to understand what their dealers are facing and find ways to improve on their relationships. Now is the time for dealers to get back to the basics. This means not only staying close to their customers, but revisiting their fleet inspection programs, tire maintenance programs, retreading opportunities, fitment guidelines, training programs and all over service-related items that will assist their customers in improving overall costs. The dealer who focuses his efforts in these areas will be rewarded. Lucas: With such market volatility, it is important to manage inventory levels to a point where market demands can be m
