Don Detore, Editor at Tire Business, oversees the daily editorial operations of Tire Business, the leading trade magazine for the tire industry published by Crain Communications. Don also has experience as a managing editor, adjunct professor, and executive editor.

Clint Young, President and Chief Operating Officer at Point S Tire and Auto Service, has been with the company for almost 10 years. Clint's role focuses on creating growth and improving the member experience at Point S Tire, which has more than 350 points of sale across the US.

Doug Kershaw is Head of Operations at Ferentino Tire USA, with a proven history of developing and executing strategic initiatives. He previously served as Executive Vice President of KAL Group and as President - USA of BKT Tires, where he generated over $700K in sales in the first 2 months. 

Melanie White, CEO at Hellwig Suspension Products, is the fourth generation leader of the family-owned business. She also serves on industry committees, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to the automotive aftermarket sector.

Scott Bishop, Vice President of Independent Channel Sales at Sailun Tire Americas, has over 20 years of experience in the tire industry. Scott joined Sailun in August 2024 after spending five years at Falken Tire in various sales roles.

In this episode…

The automotive industry thrives on relationships, innovation, and timely information. How do industry leaders leverage events like SEMA to strengthen their businesses and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market?

Don Detore from Tire Business, Clint Young from Point S Tire and Auto Service, Doug Kershaw from Ferentino Tire USA, Melanie White from Hellwig Suspension Products, and Scott Bishop from Sailun Tire Americas all agree that SEMA serves as a crucial hub for networking, showcasing products, and staying informed about the latest trends. They emphasize the importance of face-to-face interactions with partners, customers, and peers from around the world. This annual event provides a unique opportunity to establish new connections, reinforce existing relationships, and gain insights into emerging technologies and market demands, all of which are vital for business growth and adaptation in the automotive sector.

On this episode of Gain Traction, join Mike Edge at SEMA, where he chats with Don, Clint, Doug, Melanie and Scott about the importance of industry relationships, the global reach of tire organizations, the role of trade shows in product showcasing, and the value of timely industry news. They discuss how SEMA facilitates networking, product launches, and staying updated on automotive trends.

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

• [03:48] How Tire Business breaks and expands on industry news
• [05:48] The value of SEMA as a relationship-building platform
• [07:25] The scale of Point S Tire’s operations and impact on the tire and auto industry globally 
• [09:25] How SEMA inspires with new technology and lifelong friendships
• [13:31] SEMA's role in showcasing products and building connections
• [16:13] SEMA: A week for networking and impactful meetings

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Don Detore on LinkedIn
• Tire Business
• Clint Young on LinkedIn 
• Point S Tire and Auto Service 
• Doug Kershaw on LinkedIn
• Ferentino Tire USA
• Melanie White on LinkedIn
• Hellwig Suspension Products
• Scott Bishop on LinkedIn
• Sailun Tire Americas
• SEMA Show 2024
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "SEMA is important to us because we like to establish, maintain, and promote our relationships with everybody in the industry." - Don Detore
• "The owner gets to keep their name, they keep doing business as they normally would. They just get all the benefits of a much larger organization." - Clint Young
• “I just saw one guy I hadn't seen in five years. Really, really good to be back here, and I really do like the show.” - Doug Kershaw
• "SEMA is this great place that we get to show off our products. We get to connect with our customers." - Melanie White
• "Things are still bought and sold with relationships. This is a great week to be here." - Scott Bishop

Action Steps: 

1. Partner with leading industry publications: Elevate your platform by aligning with established authorities in your industry.
2. Develop a unique series of informational content: Provide your audience with specialized knowledge and keep them engaged over time.
3. Focus on relationships and networking at industry events: Facilitate new partnerships and strengthen existing connections.
4. Emphasize prompt and in-depth news reporting: Keep your audience informed and position your platform as a go-to resource.
5. Encourage innovation and showcase new products at industry shows: Highlight your progressive approach and commitment to industry advancements.

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.