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Because storage limitations, concerns about theft and supply problems have altered the way trucking companies purchase tires, carriers, manufacturers and experts said the tool of choice for economically managing this valuable commodity is a contract that allows fleets to get what they need when they need it — at a preset price.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. reported a fourth-quarter profit and said it reached agreement with the United Steelworkers union ending a three-month lockout at an Ohio plant.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. reported a fourth-quarter profit compared with a loss a year earlier, as sales rose for the quarter and full year.

Tire manufacturers say that an ongoing shortage of component materials — which is expected to continue through 2012 and beyond — combined with soaring global demand and logistics costs, has driven up costs and led the makers to boost prices for commercial tires.

Yokohama Tire Corp. said it will raise prices on its U.S. commercial vehicle tires by up to 8%, effective Feb. 1.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said it was chosen to be the principal supplier of wide-based truck tires for Con-way Truckload.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said its third-quarter net income and sales rose to records.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. said its third-quarter earnings fell to $17 million, or 27 cents a share, from $45 million, or 71 cents, a year ago.

The recent rise in diesel prices has given trucking companies a greater incentive to search for ways to cut fuel costs, according to carrier and tire manufacturer executives.

Yokohama Tire announced it will implement a price increase of an average of 8% on all of its light and medium commercial truck tires sold in the United States on July 1.