Bruce Davis

Akron

Special Projects Reporter at Tire Business

Tire junkie, avid skier, proud dad

Featured in: Favicon

tirebusiness.com Favicon

independent.co.uk Favicon

cityam.com Favicon

autonews.com Favicon

crainsdetroit.com Favicon

concordmonitor.com Favicon

crainscleveland.com Favicon

plasticsnews.com Favicon

blueandgreentomorrow.com Favicon

rubbernews.com + 8 more

Articles

Reporter Bruce Davis reflects on decades reporting on tire industry

2 weeks ago | rubbernews.com | Bruce Davis

"The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off." — Abe Lemons, college basketball player and coach. "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." — Mark TwainBy the time most of you read this, I'll be well on my way to packing away the final few mementos of a 44-year, 46-week journalism career, all with Crain Communications Inc. Most people I know — especially those in this industry—struggle with the decision to retire.
Reporter Bruce Davis reflects on decades reporting on tire industry

2 weeks ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

"The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off." — Abe Lemons, college basketball player and coach. "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." — Mark TwainBy the time most of you read this, I'll be well on my way to packing away the final few mementos of a 44-year, 46-week journalism career, all with Crain Communications Inc. Most people I know — especially those in this industry — struggle with the decision to retire.
Hoosier and Michelin strike deals with Historic Sportscar Racing

1 month ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), the "premier" sanctioning body for historic and vintage motorsports competition in North America, has struck multi-year sponsorship and race-tire supply deals with Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. and Michelin North America Inc.
Family vibe helps Polo's Point S stand out in San Antonio

2 months ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

SAN ANTONIO — In a market overshadowed by the major retail tire chains, Polo Rodriguez Jr. seeks to differentiate his tire and auto service business by building lasting relationships with his customers. That strategy begins with instilling that philosophy with each employee at his two outlets in San Antonio — Polo's Point S and Extreme Point S. Rodriguez, 41, is a first-generation American and a second-generation tire dealer.
TBC '24 earnings up 38% despite 10% sales drop

2 months ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France — TBC Corp. generated 38.2% higher pre-tax operating income last year despite a 9.7% drop in sales revenue, according to Group Michelin, which co-owns TBC with Sumitomo Corp. of Americas (SCoA). TBC's pre-tax operating income (EBITDA) rose to $209 million on sales of $4.19 billion, yielding an operating ratio of 5%, up from 3.3% in fiscal 2023, Michelin's figures show.
Mavis Tire grows to 3,500 service shops with Midas deal

2 months ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Mavis Tire Express Service Corp. is buying the Midas International franchise portfolio — considered one of the nation's largest automotive repair/tire retail businesses with systemwide sales of nearly $2 billion — from TBC Corp. The pending deal will expand Mavis Tire's retail reach to approximately 3,500 stores in the U.S. and Canada under its various brands, including up to 1,600 franchised locations, according to available data.
Trump tariffs clarified; price hikes to follow

2 months ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

AKRON — The verdict, finally, is in. It's a 25% tariff on passenger and light truck tires and — for now — 10% on all other tire types, with wholesale price hikes to follow.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries lays out ambitious growth plan through 2035

Mar 13, 2025 | rubbernews.com | Bruce Davis

KOBE, Japan—With global rights to the Dunlop brand secured, Sumitomo Rubber industries Ltd. (SRI) is embarking on a long-term growth strategy that will focus on leveraging premium tires and expanding the firm's non-tire business activities. The overriding goal of the new business plan, dubbed RISE 2035, is to double the firm's operating profit margin by 2035 into the 15 percent range, SRI documents show.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries lays out ambitious growth plan through 2035

Mar 11, 2025 | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

KOBE, Japan — With global rights to the Dunlop brand secured, Sumitomo Rubber industries Ltd. (SRI) is embarking on a long-term growth strategy that will focus on leveraging premium tires and expanding the firm's non-tire business activities. The overriding goal of the new business plan, dubbed RISE 2035, is to double the firm's operating profit margin by 2035 into the 15% range, SRI documents show.
Pirelli evaluating U.S. plant capacity expansion

Mar 5, 2025 | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Davis

MILAN, Italy — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. is "evaluating material investments" in the U.S. to expand its manufacturing capacity as part of contingency plans the company has drafted to address the Trump Administration's threats to impose elevated imports tariffs on Mexico and Europe.