Specifics might vary, but the decision to work with a commercial tire dealership ultimately boils down to one thing - service.
That was the consensus of attendees at Barnwell House of Tires’ recent fleet symposium in Central Islip, N.Y.
During the two-day event, fleet representatives from the greater New York City area discussed their tire needs, learned about products and programs that Barnwell offers and shared their thoughts on what constitutes great service. (Tire Industry Association CEO Dick Gust also spoke during the event. He discussed the importance of commercial tire service training and other topics.)
The most important aspect of working with a tire dealer is “just having a good relationship,” said Joe Garvey, operations supervisor for Hunter EMS, a Bay Shore, N.Y.-based, privately owned ambulance provider.
“A couple of months ago, we were going through tires like crazy. We went to Barnwell and they suggested something else, which solved the problem.”
Availability of product also is crucial. “When we need tires, Barnwell will be there — either that day or the next day.”
Wade Probst is the operations manager at Rock Tech Inc., a hauler of heavy construction equipment. The fleet is based in West Babylon, N.Y., not far from Barnwell’s Long Island retread plant.
He also said tire availability is important. “I can call Barnwell anytime and get what I need.”
Daniel Mohan, owner of DSM Trucking Inc., a stone and sand hauler based in Belleville, N.J., told MTD his trucks put tires through the wringer. He depends on Barnwell’s sales team for product recommendations and quick service.
“They will give us the right advice. And no matter where we are in New York City, we call them and they’re there.”
As the fleet manager at Nicolia Industries, which is headquartered in Lindenhurst, N.Y., Dan Smalley is responsible for more than 130 trucks.
Nicolia hauls concrete and other products across construction sites. Flats happen from time to time, according to Smalley.
“Barnwell has great road service. They treat me like I’m the biggest customer they have and I’m not.”
Mike Collison is assistant maintenance manager at Huntington Coach, a private school bus supplier on the north shore of Long Island.
The company, which started working with Barnwell nearly 10 years ago, maintains a fleet of 1,000 buses.
“We utilize their retreads,” said Collison. “We also use their wheel powdercoat service. We’re loyal and we like doing business with loyal distributors. Barnwell is fantastic.”
Liran Dassa is co-owner of Let’s Talk Logistics, a company that works out of Amazon’s distribution center in Shirley, N.Y.
“We have a fleet of 36 vans and 32 of those are Amazon-branded vehicles that we lease” to the online retail giant, he said.
Dassa started doing business with Barnwell around a year ago.
“Amazon has preferred vendors, but they don’t always pan out in terms of availability or response time,” he explained.
“We had a company that took care of our van maintenance and another that took care of our tires, but none gave us the reliability that Barnwell provides.
“If I have a tire that needs to be replaced, I can call Scott Weeden (Barnwell’s vice president of sales) or shoot him a text the night before and I’ll give him the unit number, the location of the van and the size of the tire.
“Before I even get to work the next morning, the job is already complete and the receipt has been emailed to me.
“I like to pay for convenience and peace of mind,” said Dassa. “That’s why we use Barnwell. They’ve proven themselves time and time again.”
