AKRON (Sept. 12, 2000)—The publisher of Rubber & Plastics News, a sister publication of Tire Business, has called for the formation of a bilateral, industrywide commission to serve as an early warning system to help head off potential tire problems in the future.
The commission should include members of the appropriate governmental agencies and the tire-manufacturing industry, said RPN Publisher Robert Simmons at a news conference Sept. 12 during the International Tire Exhibition and Conference in Akron.
Deliberations of the commission should put in place structures to help protect consumers should something of the magnitude of the Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. tire recall happen again, he said.
``It is clear that, in the wake of recent events, our industry has changed forever,´´ Mr. Simmons said. ``On a personal as well as professional level, I am opposed to more government regulation of tire manufacturing.
``However, if we, as an industry, do not take quick, responsible action, someone else will do it for us who may not always protect the best interests of consumers in the long run,´´ he said.
The ITEC conference, which runs through Sept. 14 at Akron´s John S. Knight Center, drew an estimated 2,500 delegates, exhibitors and presenters from at least 25 countries.