Jim Smith could have asked a number of different tire manufacturers to supply retread equipment and tread rubber to his new plant in Wahpeton, N.D. The choice, however, was clear, according to Smith. “I wanted to do business with Goodyear,” he said.
“Our main focus is on the dealer business, but we also have plans to aggressively grow our business with end users,” said Smith.
The performance attributes of Goodyear retread products, particularly Goodyear’s exclusive UniCircle Technology, “are a natural fit” for trucking fleets and owner-operators that want to drive down their operating costs, he noted.
“UniCircle treads are spliceless and adhere snugly to the tire’s casing. This helps reduce tearing and chunking while enhancing miles to removal.”
In addition, because there’s no cutting or splicing during application of the UniCircle tread, the resulting retreaded tire is uniform and balanced, which helps extend casing life. Goodyear also optimizes the UniCircle cure to help deliver lower rolling resistance than standard flat retreads, which also helps boost fuel economy.
“UniCircle gives us a product that none of our competitors have,” said Smith. “And on top of that, UniCircle quality is second-to-none. UniCircle retreads run great and they deliver a wide range of real-world benefits for fleets, commented Smith.”
Smith cited the premium support that he receives from Goodyear as another reason why he joined the company’s retread network. “I personally know the Goodyear technical support representatives who have been assigned to us. Their expertise helps our facility operate at optimal levels so we can serve our customers more effectively.”
“Smith Tire & Tread’s focus on customer service makes the company an excellent addition to the Goodyear Authorized Retreader Network,” said Chris Helsel, director of retread, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems.
“Jim Smith and his employees are completely customer-centric,” said Todd Labbe, general manager, commercial retread, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems.
“They understand the tire dealers who buy their retreaded tires, and they understand the trucking operations that use these retreads on their vehicles. We are honored that Smith Tire & Tread chose Goodyear to be its supplier, and we look forward to playing a role in this exciting young company’s growth.”
About Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems
Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems offers The Total Package Solution of industry-leading tires, services and profitability tools to help commercial trucking fleets lower their total cost of ownership. To learn more, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com.
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