Gateway Tire and Service Region Switches To Zinc Wheel Weights

Online, January 20, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Gateway Tire and Service Middle Tennessee Region has decided to proactively switch their wheel weight inventories over to a non-lead solution. Their eleven retail stores and growing wholesale division, all located within the state of Tennessee, decided to make the switch in advance of state or national legislation that will ultimately force a ban on the material. Currently, Tennessee has no wheel weight related laws up for consideration.

"We know that it is only a matter of time before the state of Tennessee or the US EPA bans lead wheel weights," said Garth Bouldin, the Regional Retail Manager. "It is important for us to get out in front of the issue, be proactive, and be able to switch out our eleven locations on our own timetable. We don't want to be forced to make a decision without time to understand the best alternatives, or be unable to properly train our employees on the installation differences non-lead alternatives present."

After researching all of the non-lead wheel weight options available, the Gateway Tire and Service Middle Tennessee Region decided to switch their wheel weight purchases moving forward over to zinc based wheel weights from Perfect Equipment. The transition from lead wheel weights to zinc wheel weights happened over a designated time period, allowing for current lead inventories to be used up, Perfect Equipment zinc wheel weight assortments to be brought in and proper employee training to take place.

"We decided to make the switch to zinc because the weights look and function so much like the traditional lead weights we were all used to," said Garth. "We tried using some other alternatives, but the materials are just to difficult to work with in the real world. Zinc weights are simply easier to install and remove, which helps our guys in the shop work more efficiently. And, that saves us money and headaches. We are glad we decided to make the switch to zinc."

Zinc wheel weights are the leading non-lead alternative on a global scale. Zinc wheel weights are used on nearly 95% of all new vehicles manufactured in Europe, including high-end luxury brands like Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley, Volvo and BMW. Zinc is a viable non-lead manufacturing solution as it is one of the most important, and abundant, materials available on Earth. Required for life, zinc is everywhere, even in the human body.

Gateway Tire and Service, a Dunlop & Kyle Company, is a leading retail tire and service center chain with locations in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Ohio. The Middle Tennessee region features tire and service stores in Nashville, Cool Springs, Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Columbia and other select middle Tennessee cities. To learn more about Gateway Tire or to find a location near you, visit www.dktire.com.

Since 1939, Perfect Equipment has been a leader in innovation and quality bringing valuable insight and solutions to the automotive industry by offering a comprehensive range of wheel balance weights including traditional, non-lead, knock-on and adhesive options. Perfect Equipment is a part of the WEGMANN automotive global wheel weight platform that supplies both OEM and aftermarket customers worldwide. The company is recognized for the broadest product offerings and the highest quality standings in the industry and has become a reputable name synonymous with quality, performance and fit. To lean more about Perfect Equipment, visit www.perfectequipment.com.