Welcome to the latest edition of MTD Hotwire. Today we bring you breaking news live from Hankook's annual dealer meeting in Punta Canta, Dominican Republic. Also, Cooper ratifies an agreement with its Texarkana union.

The next edition of our MTD Hotwire will be out on Thursday. Meanwhile, check out the latest news on www.moderntiredealer.com.

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Code named "The One," Hankook Tire America Corp.'s associate dealer program is set to launch April 1, with sign-ups taking place in February and March. Run-flat tires also are coming to America.

The United Steelworkers (USW) Local 752L overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year labor agreement with Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. The local union represents the company's Texarkana, Ark., tire plant.

Strong growth and demand for Hankook products continue to place pressure on the company to meet its distributors' fill-rate needs. Two plants are currently under construction to ease supply constraints.

As part of its official launch of the new X-Ice Xi3 winter tire, Michelin North America Inc. brought 350 of its Canadian and U.S. dealers to Quebec, Canada this week to test it in tough winter conditions.

The Non-Lead Wheel Weight Legislation packet was unveiled today by The Ecology Center. The Ecology Center is a leading group behind the lead-based wheel weight debate.

Mitas Tires North America Inc. is only a few months away from producing farm tires in Charles City, Iowa. The man behind it almost guarantees it.

Monro Muffler Brake Inc. recorded net income of $13.6 million on net sales of $176.7 million for the third quarter ended Dec. 24, 2011. That compares to income of $11.1 million on sales of $165.5 million for the same period the previous year.

Chicago Pneumatic is recognizing technicians who seek ASE certification. The company is offering technicians and instructors a chance to win prizes through its Cranked Up Conversation promotions.

The Automotive Lift Institute Inc. (ALI) and Petty’s Garage LLC have entered into a partnership program.

Coming off a record year financially, Yokohama Tire Corp. shook things up a little in 2011. First it promoted Dan King to senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Last month, I challenged you as an owner or manager of an independent tire dealership to deal with the hardest part of the people-side of your business: implementing real change in your team’s behavior. How do you coach each employee to perform at a higher level where they tap into new insights and maximize talents — and then generate higher results?

On 2007-10 Volkswagen Eos vehicles, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) utilizes air pressure sensors in the wheels. The sensors transmit radio data signals to the Central Locking and Antitheft System antennas.

Are you taking the direct route to customer satisfaction?

No president has talked about tires publicly more than Barack Obama. That is both good and bad.

Akron, Ohio, is my hometown. My great grandmother came to Akron from Scotland and was a maid for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. founder Franklin Seiberling. I remember all the rubber factories, and the smell of rubber in the air.