Signal Extraprise matches ASA $1 million technology bailout package

Tire Business staff report

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Signal Extraprise Corp. is offering a $1 million (Euro 700 000) fund to assist tyre dealers struggling with the recession in upgrading their information technology.

Signal is the third IT company this week to offer such assistance to dealers. Nashua, North Hampshire-based ASA Tire Systems first said it would offer a $1 million “bailout” to qualifying dealers stricken by the economic downturn in the form of grants good toward the purchase of ASA technology products.

Tire Company Solutions of Cookeville, Tennessee., also announced it is giving away its Tire Power 7.0 software suite over a 60-day period beginning 15 March to 25 dealers in the hopes of springboarding them to increased profitability.

Signal said it “congratulates ASA Tire Systems” for being the first to announce a similar grassroots initiative and “in response and in the spirit of industry cooperation,” it decided to do the same. Signal's offer also is in the form of grants toward the purchase of Signal's products and is open to all dealers. More information is available at www.signalextraprise.com.

“Our actions are a precedent-setting instance of the two leading IT suppliers in the tire and auto aftermarket working in parallel for the good of the industry,” said Kevin Miko, Signal's chief operating officer. He added that the $1 million assistance “shows the type of spirit that Americans have always been able to invoke to get through and overcome difficulties.”

He also called on other IT firms in the tire industry to respond in like manner so that dealers can benefit from new technologies.

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Staff report from Tire Business (a Crain publication)