coker tire has sold out-mentioned on AACA

[ronn]

just discussed on AACA


most all tires came from Coker- which owns universal and several other brands. Whole co has been bought out..............

[40 Deluxe]

Do you think Corky sold to a fellow enthusiast who cares about providing tires to the old car community, or did he sell for top dollar to a conglomerate that will strip the company of its assets and then disappear?

[redmodelt]

From what I have read it was the latter;
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1542666502

[Oldbluoval]

It was sold to an investor group not a current conglomerate
It will be headed by the current COO/CEO Wade Kawasaki who
Corky hand picked several years ago. He has a history in auto and auto parts
I've know the family since Corky could not yet drive!
Hats off to Corky who built a tremendous business with great vision
All backed by my old friend Harold who was a leader in our hobby.
Too soon gone. Time has a strange vision for all of us and I'm sure the future of Coker Tire is bright but may wax well with some and others not. The older I get the less I like change of any sort

[Larryejoh]

I stopped by there today and their museum was closed while they made some " changes to the exhibits ".

[holdover]

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not good news, Coker was more than just tires. I read an interview of the CEO Ken in hot rod, they asked him what the wildest tire they made, he said the tires that fit on the rear of an A when you put the snow track device on, low production, if you need any better order them now. When these take over happen low production items are the first to go..

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

It was sold to an investor group not a current conglomerate
It will be headed by the current COO/CEO Wade Kawasaki who
Corky hand picked several years ago. He has a history in auto and auto parts
I've know the family since Corky could not yet drive!
Hats off to Corky who built a tremendous business with great vision
All backed by my old friend Harold who was a leader in our hobby.
Too soon gone. Time has a strange vision for all of us and I'm sure the future of Coker Tire is bright but may wax well with some and others not. The older I get the less I like change of any sort

Investor groups are Wall Street investors same as corporations, e.g., only after the money.

They don't care about the consumers. They will lower quality and cut unprofitable product lines.

David Serrano

[Chris Haynes]

Hopefully the new company will make tires that don't fall apart.

[Randy in ca]

I read somewhere that the group that purchased Coker consists mostly of present employees (including the CEO) who have essentially been running the company for about the last 5 years. Got the impression that very little was likely to change - time will tell I guess.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

Investor groups are Wall Street investors same as corporations, e.g., only after the money.

They don't care about the consumers. They will lower quality and cut unprofitable product lines.

David Serrano

If quality falls and or prices rise, they will only be opening the door to someone else who can make a tyre stepping in to take up that space. As it is, I think there is too much concentration of ownership of the brands in the antique tyhre business and that leads to less competition, higher prices and lower customer service. Our local dealer is not known for his responsiveness to complaints. He is still denying there was ever a problem with tubes a few years ago, believe it or not.
Be prepared for prices to rise as the investors try to recover their investment asap.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Gentlemen, IMHO the biggest thing that Coker offered the Model-A hobbyist was a cheaper alternative to an inferior product. Brattons's tubes and Goodyear tires are still an alternative and most can attest these products outperformed in longevity when compared to Coker's products. In reality, the price difference for replacing all tires & tubes is under $250. In the grande scheme of a restoration, that is not a big deal.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Gentlemen, IMHO the biggest thing that Coker offered the Model-A hobbyist was a cheaper alternative to an inferior product. Brattons's tubes and Goodyear tires are still an alternative and most can attest these products outperformed in longevity when compared to Coker's products. In reality, the price difference for replacing all tires & tubes is under $250. In the grande scheme of a restoration, that is not a big deal.

Brent, that depends where you are. By the time a $250 tyre is in my hands, I will have shelled out about $400. Besides, Brattons will not sell to Australia.

[ronn]

This was obviously to the benefit of the Coker family and good for them.


at the end of the day, this wont be good for the hobbyist and no, competition isnt going to come running. This is a very expensive business to start up.
Easier to "invent" a hotdog stand if you want to make money.


A very niche business.

[denis4x4]

Hemmings ran the PR this morning from Coker and all of the parties involved are involved in the industry. Wade worked with an investment firm that is also involved in providing dynos and equipment to the power sports industry. Corky and the Coker family will retain Honest Charlies and all of the real estate. Both Wade and Corky are (were) deeply involved in SEMA and in spite of all the Debby Downers posting here I suspect the the Coker Group will continue to grow and serve the specialty automotive aftermarket.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Brent, that depends where you are. By the time a $250 tyre is in my hands, I will have shelled out about $400. Besides, Brattons will not sell to Australia.

By percentages, how many customers from Australia make up the total amount of tires sold to US customers? As far as Brattons is concerned, if they won't, I will. FWIW, it sounds like Australia needs a new Model-A vendor. Maybe that person is you??

[Flathead]

Coker owns Universal????

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

If quality falls and or prices rise, they will only be opening the door to someone else who can make a tyre stepping in to take up that space. As it is, I think there is too much concentration of ownership of the brands in the antique tyhre business and that leads to less competition, higher prices and lower customer service. Our local dealer is not known for his responsiveness to complaints. He is still denying there was ever a problem with tubes a few years ago, believe it or not.
Be prepared for prices to rise as the investors try to recover their investment asap.

One problem I see is that of procuring the molds for antique tires. Coker no doubt bought up their molds years ago when old tire molds were viewed as scrap. Nowadays? Any new company would spend a fortune buying/making tire molds.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

By percentages, how many customers from Australia make up the total amount of tires sold to US customers? Obviouosly not very many, My guess would be about 5%As far as Brattons is concerned, if they won't, I will. FWIW, it sounds like Australia needs a new Model-A vendor. Maybe that person is you?? I have already retired 3 times. I like the third time best!

Brent, I have been reading your posts for years and didn't know you were a parts vendor/retailer. I'll explain in a PM why Brattons don't supply Oz.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

One problem I see is that of procuring the molds for antique tires. Coker no doubt bought up their molds years ago when old tire molds were viewed as scrap. Nowadays? Any new company would spend a fortune buying/making tire molds.

Agreed, startup would be expensive. I just hope someone bites the bullet if those investing in Coker get money hungry.

[ronn]

Yes, coker bought Universal and several other firms out some time ago..............