Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems Strengthens Service Network
AKRON, Ohio, July 11 -- As more trucks take to America's highways, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company sets up shop to service expanding fleets and puts a new twist on a popular real estate saying - location, location, network.
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For cell phone companies and Goodyear's commercial tire business, the network is everything. Strength is in numbers and coverage. As the June 29 exclusive agreement to develop and operate truck service centers at Pilot Travel Centers LLC locations shows, location and network are critical to fleet customers.
Goodyear continues to strengthen its network of commercial tire service providers by adding "on-highway" Pilot Truck Care Centers - 21 truck service garages by the end of the year and more slated in the future. It's also counting on subsidiary Wingfoot Commercial Tire Center's expansion as well as business-building programs tailored for independent tire dealers.
"It's all about the network," said Steve McClellan, vice president of commercial tire systems. "It's all about locating our centers where trucking fleets demand our services. These locations then must be linked to each other in a servicing network. We must grow along with the trucking industry."
America now has more than 3.29 million big trucks, according to R.L. Polk & Co., which compiles the data by counting registrations. New and used truck sales and tonnage continue to climb.
McClellan said consolidation of smaller fleets into larger fleet customers is creating opportunities in tire and mechanical services. "We are expanding our tire 'cradle-to-grave' services and becoming a complete outsource solution for fleets with single invoicing and critical services to reduce fleet downtime."
Through North America's largest network of service solutions providers, information management systems, roadside assistance and on-highway locations, Goodyear's "cradle-to-grave" services supply original-equipment tires, replacement tires, fleet management tools, multiple retreads and tire disposal and replacement.
Information Technology that links services with the service providers "is the glue that fortifies the network. It's a network where truck centers work together to grow each other's business. By linking service centers in the network, we can track fleets' tire and service needs as their trucks travel North America's highways. Our service centers are available when a driver needs us," McClellan said.
The goal is to become the main service provider in the trucking industry. The vice president said the company would use its current distribution channels as well as independent dealers and competitors' outlets to service growing fleets. They would all be part of Goodyear's network of service providers.
"The Pilot Travel Centers LLC agreement makes sense when you include what our dealers offer. Together, they impact how fleets and end-users will be serviced. Both offer consistent product offerings and services," he said.
Goodyear commercial tire systems offer complete products and services to the trucking industry, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tires. In addition, the company's cradle-to-grave tire and service network includes retreading, tire management tools and business solutions for tomorrow's trucking fleets. For more information on Goodyear's line of commercial tires and services, go to http://www.goodyear.com/truck.
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