LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 14, 2001) — The Educational Foundation of the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) has released a Certified Tire Service Directory containing more than 1,000 of the group´s members who offer commercial truck tire service.
ITRA said that of the listings included in the directory, more than 400 companies received a special designation as the result of their participation in the association´s Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Training and Certification Program. Since the program´s inception in 1997, almost 5,000 technicians and instructors have been certified.
The directory, according to the ITRA, provides trucking companies with a coast-to-coast network of companies committed to technician training and education.
"ITRA´s members are constantly kept abreast of the latest technology for maximizing employee safety and tire performance," said Robert Sherwood, association president. Members employing ITRA-certified technicians and instructors "have simply recognized the need for a qualified work force by taking training to the next level."
In order to accommodate the increasing number of members participating in the CTS program, ITRA has launched a new Web site, www.certifiedtireservice.com.
Marvin Bozarth, ITRA executive director, said although a directory is often out-of-date the day it´s printed, the association plans to update the listings on the Internet on a regular basis to reflect changes in certification or membership. "Since an increasing majority of over-the-road truckers have Internet access, the search engine, directions and detailed maps can instantaneously lead drivers to a company with ITRA-certified personnel," he added.
The association will distribute 50,000 copies of the new directory at several upcoming transporation industry conferences and exhibitions, including the TMC annual meeting and Transporation Equipment Exhibition, and the Mid-America Trucking Show.
ITRA also said it plans to mount an aggressive marketing campaign to encourage the transporation industry to seek commercial tire dealers with trained and qualified technicians.
Free copies of the Certified tire Service Directory can be ordered online at ITRA´s Web site, www.itra.com, or by calling either (800) 426-8835 or (502) 968-8900.