Gearing up for Fall – and more – in the latest Tracker

Aug 1, 2023

With Summer in full swing, we hope everyone’s enjoying their vacation and having a safe and smoke-free season. For your reading pleasure, as Fall is right around the corner, the latest Tracker is ready for download.

Between the covers you’ll find plenty of news, including a report on WCTD’s very successful (now again annual) Alberta golf tournament, which took place in late June and raised significant funds for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

On a very sad note, we say farewell to our great friend and long-time supporter Wayne Budge, of Federated Insurance, who passed away on June 12th.

The height of summer can bring an array of challenges, including extreme temperatures that can be a danger to outdoor workers. We urge you to read the piece from the folks at Simply Safe (courtesy of WorkSafe BC) on what you can do to help protect your employees from heat stress.

TPMS, as always, continues to be in the news. Read up on why it’s important to make sure you or your techs have the latest in tool software for proper TMPS servicing. i.e. “Don’t Wait: Update!”

Plus, one final reminder that there’s still time to meet the fast approaching August 15th deadline to apply for WCTD Academic Scholarships. Please be sure to advise anyone eligible within your network to apply!

Download the latest Tracker today!

Download Your Summer Tracker Today!

Jun 13, 2023

Safety is a WCTD core value
Our Summer Tracker theme!

We don’t have to tell you that the Summer service season is now in full swing, with stores across the country seeing to the needs of the car traveling public. However, when times are busy it’s even more crucial to pay close attention to all matters of safety.

In this issue we look at the various ways you can nurture and build upon the ‘Safety Culture’ of your organization, as well as how best to look after the well-being of both staff and customers. Also related, we revisit best practices for safe roadside service and, specifically, the topic of effective warning lights for service vehicles.

If Summer’s here, sorry, Winter can’t be far behind. An interesting TRAC survey tells us that the winter tire market across Canada continues to grow by a considerable margin. Check it out for some revealing statistics that might assist you in planning your upcoming snow tire campaign.

There’s more, of course, from the ban on lead wheel weights that takes effect early in 2024, to advice from Federated Insurance on how to respond to customers who insist on bypassing TPMS.

If you’re in the area there’s still time to register for WCTD Alberta’s Charity Golf Tournament, June 25th at Stony Plain Golf Course, to benefit the Stollery Children’s Hospital. You can find registration forms on pages 25- 27. Come join us! We’d love to see you for a great day of golf, with fantastic prizes plus silent and live auctions.

Last but not least, the August 15th deadline for WCTD Academic Scholarship applications is fast approaching. Make sure all those eligible within your network know how to apply!

Download your Summer Tracker Today!

The Spring 2023 Tracker is here!

Feb 6, 2023

Spring (not that far away) is a time of renewal, a theme that runs through the latest edition of The Tracker.

As always, this issue is filled with useful and pertinent information.  However, we’re also pleased to present a remarkable feature that underscores what can happen when smart minds come together in the world of used tire recycling.

Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC) and  partners have transformed Nanaimo’s waterfront Maffeo Sutton Park into “an inclusive and accessible space for children of all ages and abilities …with a focus on active play and engaging sensory experiences.” We think you’ll find it a fascinating read, especially as pour-in-place-rubber (from 3,260 recycled tires) was used to replace the former gravel surface. If you’ve ever wondered if collecting and shipping all those used tires is worth it, be sure to read ‘Play for All’!

There’s more of course, including the return of our popular golf tournament, as well as info on the upcoming WCTD Annual General Meeting, to be held in Kelowna (bring your clubs!). Safety Corner (contributed by safety experts Leigh-Ann Stewart and Debra Haldane) is back, with helpful hints about your safety program, while Federated’s Chris Leahey outlines how to set up an emergency contacts list.

Check it out for ideas on how to hire and keep good techs, service tips from TIA, who’s on the move in the industry—and plenty more.

Spring may not quite yet be here. But The Spring Tracker will get you in the mood!

Download your Spring Tracker Today!

WCTD Golf is Back!

Jan 22, 2023

Image by drobotdean on Freepik

The association is thrilled to announce that we are proceeding with a WCTD charity Golf Tournament, to be held on June 25th at the Stony Plain Golf Course, in Stony Plain Alberta. The Charity we will be supporting will be the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The foundation is working to establish a potentially larger, dedicated children’s hospital and care space for children and families from the Edmonton area, northern and central Alberta, as well as for children from across Western Canada. If you’re in the area, and in the industry, please make plans to join us for what promises to be a fun day of golf and camaraderie, all in aid of a really good cause. 

Date: Sunday June-25, 2023; Registration: 9:00am. Start time / Check in time 8:00am. Location: Stony Plain Golf Course, 18 Fairway Drive, Stony Plain, AB, Format: 4 Golfer Best Ball

The cost for golf and dinner is $140.00 per person (dinner only $35.00 per person.)

Fees Include: Green Fees for 18 holes / Power Cart / Steak Dinner / Prizes
Eligibility: Open to all tire dealers, their staff, families, customers and industry suppliers.

Please consider becoming a sponsor for this important fundraiser. You can download complete sponsorship info here, and sponsorship registration here. To register your company foursome for the tournament, click here.

See you this June at Stony Plain!

 

 

Download the Winter Tracker!

Nov 24, 2022

Your Winter Tracker is brimming with useful news and topical views. We’re thrilled to introduce our new, regular column: Safety Corner, which is contributed by well known safety experts Leigh-Ann Stewart and Debra Haldane, the people behind Simply Safe. In this issue they discuss how to properly handle a visit from your provincial Health & Safety officer and, a bonus, Haldane offers up excellent advice on how to prepare your fleet and staff for winter driving conditions.

The future belongs to our youth—which is why WCTD is particularly proud of its Scholarship Program. Meet the group of this year’s accomplished recipients on pages 10-11.

How secure are your premises? Are they properly protected to deter theft and damage? Chris Leahey of Federated Insurance has some solid ideas to pass on. (Page 26-27).

There’s more, of course, from details on the newly approved credit card surcharge to why it’s crucial to properly maintain your sensitive diagnostic equipment. All this, plus notes from president Tim Hollett and executive director Ray Geleta. And a heads up to ‘Save the Date’ for this spring’s AGM, to be held in Kelowna!

Download the Winter Tracker today!

Winter Tracker 2022 cover

North Country Tire Extends its Customer Experience to Manitoba

Aug 9, 2022

Aug 1st marked the opening of NCT’s fifth warehouse aimed at supporting expansion into the Winnipeg market

North Country Tire (NCT), an Edmonton-based wholesale distributor of quality tires announces its newest commitment to expanding Western operations. The 50,000 sq ft warehouse in Winnipeg, MB represents an extension of NCT’s commitment to excellence in their customer experience from BC through to MB.

NCT’s newest distribution centre is strategically located at #3, 200 Discovery Place, Winnipeg MB, R3C 2E6 and will begin operations on July 1st. The opening will give customers in MB the opportunity to evaluate NCT’s service in the slower summer months, giving them the confidence to rely on consistent deliveries as the industry moves into the winter rush. “In a supply chain where there are many choices, we know consistency plays a key role in the customer experience. Because of that, we want to give Winnipeg customers the chance to test us before the busiest time of year. We want to earn their trust and demonstrate that we’ve got their back when it’s the experience of their customer on the line.” Jared PW – Vice President, NCT

Rapid Expansion

In seven years from the doors first opening in Edmonton, North Country Tire has quickly expanded to become one of Western Canada’s favourite regional suppliers. Now represented in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta and Kelowna, and Langley, BC; NCTs Winnipeg location showcases the commitment to being a Western Canada-wide provider of leading customer experience “Customer experience drives decision making in our family business, it always has. I personally invite local shops to try us out and experience our tires-simplified approach firsthand.” Cory Davis – CO, NCT

About NCT

North Country Tire is a locally owned and operated Canadian business, with a head office in Edmonton, Alberta. Established in 2015 by Cory and Chad Davis, NCT represents the Davis brothers’ first tire distribution centre, but not their first foray into tires. The family legacy started with their father, Clint, who gave the boys a deep education on the value of customer experience early in their development. A core value that remains at the forefront of NCT’s commitment today.

 www.northcountrytire.ca