Seth Glauberman is the President of Malco Automotive. A fourth-generation member of the family company specializing in automotive detailing products, Seth has been with Malco Automotive for 20 years. The company focuses on professional-grade products, while also venturing into products for discerning do-it-yourselfers.

Jim Ring is the Owner and Partner at Ringbrothers, a company known for creating custom car parts and restoring and modifying cars. Jim and his brother began their company because they had difficulty finding high-quality, unique car parts. Their passion for cars led them from restoring cars to modifying them and eventually to creating the parts they needed.

Justin Rae is the CEO and Co-founder of Cinch, a company that provides data science and automation tools for the automotive service and repair industry. Cinch's software helps shops send service reminders, predict needed services, and understand customer value. Justin has attended SEMA five times, and believes it is an important show for anyone in the automotive space.

Brock Swentzel is the President of Wholesale at S&S Tire, a company celebrating its 50th anniversary. Brock comes from a family with a long history in the industry, as his grandfather started the company in 1974. S&S Tire is aiming to expand its business in the Southeast region of the United States.

Mike Graber is the President and CEO of Toyo Tires. His experience spans across the industry from sales to product development. In addition to a passionate commitment to product quality and customer engagement, Mike believes genuine relationships and people play a significant role in the success of the tire industry.

Sonny McDonald is Sr. National Training Manager at Toyo Tires Corp USA. He has held that position for over 22 years, after working for a decade as a sales representative for The Tire Rack.

In this episode…

The automotive industry is a dynamic landscape where innovation and collaboration are essential for success. How can industry leaders leverage their experiences to foster growth and adaptability in this competitive environment?

According to Seth Glauberman from Malco Automotive, Jim Ring from Ringbrothers, Justin Rae from Cinch, Brock Swentzel from S&S Tire, and Mike Graber and Sonny McDonald from Toyo Tire, building strong relationships and embracing innovation are critical to thriving in the automotive sector. They emphasize the importance of networking at events like SEMA, where connections with customers, partners, and suppliers can lead to new opportunities. Additionally, they note the value of adapting to market changes through innovative products and data-driven strategies that enhance customer engagement and service.

On this episode of Gain Traction, join host Mike Edge at SEMA, where he talks to Seth, Jim, Justin, Brock, Mike, and Sonny about the significance of networking and collaboration in the automotive industry. The guests share insights on innovative products, custom parts manufacturing, data-driven customer service tools, and strategies for distributor growth. Their conversations highlight how fostering relationships and embracing change can drive success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [03:24] How Malco Automotive is reaching new customers
• [05:00] The unique innovations Ringbrothers uses to reinvent car parts
• [09:24] How Cinch uses data science
• [08:29] Why SEMA is crucial for automotive networking 
• [15:20] The way S&S Tire celebrated its 50th anniversary
• [21:32] Why Toyo Tire partners with the LA Dodgers 
• [24:07] The new products Toyo Tire is launching

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Seth Glauberman on LinkedIn 
• Malco Automotive
• Jim Ring 
• Ringbrothers 
• Justin Rae on LinkedIn
• Cinch
• Brock Swentzel in Modern Tire Dealer
• S&S Tire
• Mike Graber on LinkedIn
• Sonny McDonald on LinkedIn
• Toyo Tires
• SEMA
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "For us, the thing about SEMA is we can meet our customers, future customers, and really, it's about building relationships." - Seth Glauberman
• "SEMA is by far the best place to show off your products and vehicles; it's always been really good to us out here." - Jim Ring
• "Cinch is a data science and automation tool specifically designed for the automotive service repair space to help with service reminders." - Justin Rae
• "We're a growing company looking to continue to expand across the southeast as a distributor." - Brock Swentzel
• “It's an homage to all the builders that are out there that want to feature Toyo and that's what we're all about.” - Mike Graber

Action Steps: 

1. Build strong relationships in the industry: Networking with current and potential customers is crucial for growth. 
2. Innovate and diversify product offerings: By continuously innovating and diversifying offerings, companies can cater to niche markets and adapt to changing consumer preferences.
3. Leverage data and automation: Businesses can provide personalized customer experiences, improve retention, and optimize operations.
4. Explore new opportunities for expansion: Companies can increase their market presence and capitalize on emerging trends in the industry by actively seeking expansion. 
5. Showcase products at key industry events: Engage with enthusiasts, highlight products, and strengthen brand recognition, capturing the attention of potential clients and partners.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.