DataMac^® Tire

MacKay & Company added a new module to their DataMac Services in 1995. This new module, DataMac Tire, details U.S. replacement tire demand for Class 6, 7, and 8 vehicles and trailers. The tires covered in this module are classified as "medium duty" truck and trailer tires by the tire industry.

What is covered in DataMac Tire?

DataMac Tire tracks demand for 14 tire segments. These include radial and bias tires for drive and steer axle tires on vehicle weight Class 6, 7, and 8. Radial and bias replacement tires on trailers and container chassis account for the last two segments.

The reporting formats for the tire module are similar to the reporting format used for the other DataMac services. The differences in format accommodate the differences in the tire market compared to other DataMac components.

For type of replacement, DataMac Tire splits demand by new or retread tires. DataMac Tire also tracks who dismounts and remounts the tire on the vehicle, as well as the point of final sale.

DataMac Tire provides the same level of detail as the other DataMac modules including vehicle and component populations. The replacement demand for tires is segmented by end user vocation.

DataMac Tire includes replacement demand for the top five tire sizes segmented by end user vocation.

Reporting for DataMac Tire includes a written report in hard copy, a demand data table in both hard copy and Lotus or Excel spreadsheet and a market profile in hard copy.

The May DataMac Tire distribution report covers truck tire distribution patterns. Subjects covered include brands carried, sales volumes, sales mix, inventories, margins and a host of related subjects.

DataMac Tire is part of DataMac Services and, as such, subscribers to DataMac Tire receive all other DataMac services.

DataMac is a subscription service that monitors current and projected replacement demand for more than 350 individual truck parts and components in five modules. DataMac Tire is one of the five modules.

For the current year, demand is profiled by vehicle usage—for example, replacement tire demand for trucks used in construction service (dump, ready mix concrete or related trucks) compared to over-the-road for-hire carriers or owner/operators. The information for each component is provided in summary form and in detail. The detailed information is available in hard copy or electronically.

Additionally, DataMac Tire tracks service patterns where tires are removed and replaced and the type of replacement. For example, the end user or fleet has the option of replacing the worn or damaged tire with a new or retread tire.

Finally, DataMac examines the channels of distribution from the basic manufacturer or marketer to the end user. In the process, we look at inventory levels, prices and margins, shifts in customer base and a series of related issues.

The basic subscription service includes two reports. The first, issued in May, focuses on distribution issues while the second report, published in October, profiles replacement demand in depth.

DataMac, however, is much more than two reports a year.

• Monthly, subscribers receive a two-page newsletter via fax or email. The newsletter—DataPulse Plus—tracks and reports short-term developments. Interviews are conducted with major fleets, truck dealers and independent parts distributors which provide subcribers with current market data.
• Bimonthly, subscribers receive an expanded newsletter (four to six pages) which focuses on a specific topic. This might be vehicle population, vehicle utilization or long-term demand forecast among other topics.
• Biennial Workshop. Subscribers are invited to a three-day Workshop at which we explore a range of issues impacting the aftermarket. Throughout the three-day workshop, attendees gather firsthand information from panelists who are in the industry. Economic and Industry forecasts are always a highlight. On the off-years, MacKay & Company goes on the road and visits each client and conducts a one-day presentation including industry updates, economic forecasts, industry forecasts, and plenty of question and answer time.
• On-going Communications. DataMac is structured to be an interactive service. The August report contains in excess of a million information cells. With the depth of information, it is seldom that individual subscribers don't have questions. Our professional staff is available to address those questions as they arise.

From where does all this information come? MacKay & Company maintains a database of more than 300,000 owners and maintainers of commercial trucks in the United States and Canada. The basic premise is: Ask the man who owns and maintains the trucks. He knows best how often he has to replace a tire.

TIMING AND BUDGET
DataMac Tire is published in October each year. The distribution report is published in May.

For more information on the products and to obtain pricing, please contact us at 630.916.6110 or email