LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Representatives of the International Tire and Rubber Association are visiting tire and retread industry suppliers to discuss a variety of topics, including the association's planned training and certification program for commercial tire service techs. ITRA Executive Director Marvin Bozarth said the association visits,
most of which are expected to take place during January, will include tire and rim manufacturers, tread rubber and retread equipment producers, and other suppliers interested in what the Louisville-based association is doing—particularly in regard to its newly created commercial tire programs.
In addition to providing their input on such programs, tire and retread industry suppliers will be asked to participate on the task force that is developing the planned training and certification programs for commercial tire service workers. Mr. Bozarth characterized it as an ``industry program'' that will be ``administered by the association.''
To date, an ITRA delegation—composed of Mr. Bozarth, ITRA President William Babek (Babek Commercial Tire Service, Avenel, N.J.), Vice President Randy Drake (McGriff Treading Co., Cullman, Ala.), Commercial Tire Services Director Kevin Rohlwing and Member Services Director Joe Kilcoyne—has met with Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., Michelin North America and Oliver Rubber Co. representatives.
Similar supplier visitations, once a tradition with the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, were discontinued by the Washington-based group about two years ago.