The International Tire & Rubber Association and the Tire Association of North America have created a ``Retreaders Council'' to assist the joint association on issues that are specific to the retreading market, the groups said.
The council, consisting of ITRA and TANA board members who are retreaders, is being formed early to address the upcoming study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that will test the performance of new truck tires vs. retreads. NHTSA has stated in communications with ITRA and TANA that the testing will be completed by the end of summer.
The retreaders council will work with the government and public affairs committee to form association positions on retreading issues. As established in the joint association's bylaws, committees and councils are appointed by the president of the association.
Steve Disney-who will be the joint association's first president beginning July 1-made the announcement three months early in cooperation with ITRA President Tom Raben. ``We want to be absolutely sure that the new organization provides even a stronger voice for retreaders,'' Mr. Disney said in a prepared statement. ``Today, three months before the merger, we will make this happen.''
Mr. Disney said independent retreaders will make up the majority of the council, and Mr. Raben-an executive with Raben Tire Co., a retreader and commercial tire dealership-will chair the group. The council's purpose is to work with association committees on retread-specific issues.
``When a government affairs issue arises, the council will meet with the government affairs committee to discuss potential action,'' Mr. Raben said. ``Likewise, with a training issue, where the council may meet with the association's training committee to create a position. In short, when a retreading issue is being discussed, the retreaders will be there. We will have a very prominent voice in the new organization; you can count on it.''
The council will meet formally via teleconference and at the next World Tire Expo, March 27-29, 2003, in Louisville, Ky.