Tires

[rbasales]

There are several disconcerting dynamics occurring in the Tire/rubber business right now. Obviously the Japanese disaster may be affecting production at Japanese plants. The bigger concern is the continual cost increases for rubber form Malaysia. The Malaysian rubber plantations provide over 90% of the worlds rubber. There has been a significant decrease in the amount of rubber being harvested due to the purposeful destruction of these plantations; from development of surrounding land and plowing under to keep prices high.
 All though I am not in the Automobile tire business, I do represent and sell Bicycle tires for the largest supplier in the US and I have raised costs to my retailers 3 times and over 30% in the last year.
 Bottom line if you find tires you like it will pay to buy 2 or more sets at a time as you will definitely pay more when you buy them again!