AKRON, Ohio — The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is expanding its service network, beginning with an exclusive agreement to develop and operate truck service centres at Pilot Travel Centers’ locations.

The commercial tire service providers will be adding 21 truck service garages by the end of the year with more planned in the future. The company is also counting on subsidiary Wingfoot Commercial Tire Center’s expansion, as well as business-building programs tailored for independent tire dealers.

“It’s all about the network,” said Steve McClellan, vice-president of commercial tire systems. “It’s all about locating our centres where trucking fleets demand our services. These locations then must be linked to each other in a servicing network. We must grow along with the trucking industry.”

Through a North America-wide network of service solutions providers, information management systems, roadside assistance and on-highway locations, Goodyear’s “cradle-to-grave” services supply original-equipment tires, replacement tires, fleet management tools, multiple retreads and tire disposal and replacement.

Information Technology that links services with the service providers “is the glue that fortifies the network. It’s a network where truck centres work together to grow each other’s business. By linking service centres in the network, we can track fleets’ tire and service needs as their trucks travel North America’s highways. Our service centres are available when a driver needs us,” McClellan said.

For more information on Goodyear’s line of commercial tires and services, visit www.goodyear.com/truck