LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2001)— The International Tire & Rubber Association plans a Jan. 1 launch of a new service allowing tire-industry suppliers to market their products and services globally via the World Wide Web.
ITRA's new “Internet Marketplace” will be accessed through the association's Web site, www.itra.com, and include a searchable database of more than 240 categories with direct links to supplier Web sites and e-mail addresses. the association said.
Prospective buyers will have free access to the site and visiting ITRA members will be able to skip the registration process once they have entered a specific user name and password. Following that initial visit, the site will recognize members' e-mail addresses, thereby allowing them instant access to its search engine and the company listings.
ITRA President Tom Raben of Raben Tire Co., Evansville, Ind., said the site will provide visitors with “one-stop shopping” for products and services related to the tire and wheel industry. “It represents a unique opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers who wish to participate in the modern global economy,” he said.
Mr. Raben said ITRA's site averages more than 100 visitors a day and has had visitors from more than 100 countries.
The association said industry suppliers will be offered various purchasing options when determining how to be represented on the site. The most basic package will include an automatic listing in each applicable category in addition to direct Web site and e-mail links.
Advertisers will have an “Account Manager's” page for use in updating the listings to reflect additions or deletions to their product mix. Optional features include the listing of a company profile along and the features and benefits of specific products and services. The site also will carry banner advertising, ITRA said.