BOCA RATON, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2001)—The Florida Independent Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association and the Automotive Service Association of Florida (ASA-FL) are merging to form a single organization.
FITDRA's board of directors and ASA-FL's board unanimously accepted a plan of merger in their Dec. 1 meetings. Membership votes will be conducted in January. Two-thirds of all voting members must approve the plan for the associations to merge on Feb. 1.
“This merger is a natural fit for both organizations,” said John Tidwell, FITDRA president. “It will benefit automotive service professionals throughout the state of Florida.”
The terms of the union include the following:
* The current boards will be consolidated into a single board of directors;
* The initial location for the executive office of the new group will be Boca Raton;
* FITDRA's and ASA-FL's communications, such as faxes, mailing and publications will continue to be offered to members;
*FITDRA's and ASA-FL's current “Hall of Fame” industry awards, annual meetings, social events, training programs, activities and traditions will be preserved;
*All businesses and other entities currently eligible for membership in both associations will be eligible for membership in the new organization. The classes of membership will be regular, supplier/wholesaler, branch and honorary membership; and
*The mission, purposes, objectives, programs, activities, products and services of the combined group will remain the same as those of FITDRA and ASA-FL prior to the consolidation.
Mr. Tidwell added that suppliers, wholesalers and manufacturers who have supported the members of both organizations should embrace the merger. “We all need to work together,” he said.
FITDRA is a 34-year-old Florida-based trade group representing all sectors of the Florida replacement tire market. ASA-FL is an association representing the automotive service industry within the state of Florida since 1972.