TIA needs support of all
On Sept. 2 Tire Business published two articles regarding the financial state and policies of the newly formed Tire Industry Association (TIA).
We are writing to emphasize a point made by TIA Executive Vice President Ross Kogel, and later reflected in the Tire Business editorial, that the association's efforts are totally and completely dependent on industry support.
The first Tire Business article described-in accurate detail-the state of the former Tire Association of North America (TANA) and International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) when entering the July 2002 merger that formed TIA. The second was an opinion column that lauded the association's decision to have an ``open-book'' policy-allowing all in the industry to review the books of the industry's association.
The association deeply appreciates the accurate reporting done in both stories and the mention of our ``open-book'' policy as a positive development for the industry. We, like the editorial staff of Tire Business, believe this is an important and honest step for the association to take. After all, we are ``owned'' by the members and the industry. It's the right thing to do.
TIA is financially sound, and all the ``owners''-TIA members-should take pride in that fact. TIA is working hard to make the tire industry a better place for all of us, and all in the industry should take ``ownership'' in the association by joining.
Following the standard of our honest ``open-book'' policy, here is another brutal truth: If industry professionals join TIA, we can greatly improve the tire industry for the benefit of all. In turn, if most professionals choose not to join, we won't have the financial resources-or volunteer help-to do so. It's that simple.
There are many good reasons to join and support TIA, including the group's commitment to improve the image of the tire industry; to add value to industry businesses; to hold the industry's conferences and trade shows for the benefit of all; to create training programs that increase the level of professionalism in the industry; and to represent our businesses on Capitol Hill during a time of increasing government involvement.
Indeed, we have several important projects in development now. Successful implementation of these sorely needed programs will require a financial commitment by the industry. This presents our biggest challenge since undertaking the merger. The healthy balance sheet you printed should not lull your readers into apathy.
Virtually every industry leader, publication, business owner and professional agrees that trade associations-when operated in an open and public manner, with the members' best interests in mind-are one of the most worthwhile membership investments for any business.
In the past year, the industry's associations have made a real difference: We ended decades of debate and merged ITRA and TANA. We opened our financial records for public review. We represented the industry on Capitol Hill when the industry faced one of its most ominous moments-the implementation of the TREAD (Transportation Recall Efficiency, Accountability and Documentation) Act.
And we are finalizing an all-industry strategic plan to improve the image of the industry and add value to our products.
The association is making the hard choices-the right choices-and is making a real difference for the tire industry. We ask for your support. Join TIA. There is nothing you can do that will benefit the industry more.
Steve Disney
TIA President
Tom Raben
TIA Incoming President
Ross Kogel
TIA Executive Vice President,
Reston, Va.
Brodsky: No conflict
I have been managing director of the Tire Retread Information Bureau for more than 20 years. During this time I have devoted my full efforts-and then some-to my job.
I have spent more hours than I can count on more airplanes than I can count trying to spread the positive word and protect the image of retreaded tires worldwide. I have conducted hundreds of meetings and workshops, magazine, newspaper, radio and TV interviews in many countries all over the world.
During all of these years I have also maintained my own company, The Harvey Brodsky Co., which has dealt with the sale and acquisition and brokering of tire-related businesses worldwide.
However, I have never accepted nor will I ever accept a retread-related assignment. I would consider this to be a conflict of interest with my role as the managing director of TRIB. I have turned down many lucrative offers to do consulting for retread-related companies for the same reason. I have never considered my outside business interests to be in conflict with my TRIB activities, and they never have been.
Although I have never made a secret of my outside non-TRIB related business activities, in the past I have never seen fit to publicize them. There was simply no reason to do so.
However, now that I have become involved with the prospective purchase of Alliance Tire in Israel, and because Alliance is a publicly traded company in Israel with legal disclosure requirements, the news has become public. This is all prologue to what follows.
Recently I have had feedback that some people in the tire industry are concerned that my involvement with Alliance will detract from my work with TRIB and that there might be a conflict of interest. I repeat that nothing could be further from the truth.
I wish to assure each and every single TRIB member that my involvement with TRIB and my duties as TRIB's managing director will absolutely not be compromised! Those who know me know that is the case. Anyone else who is concerned and who has questions is free to contact me. I will be happy to explain in further detail my outside business interests and will also be happy to answer any proper questions they may have in order to quiet down any further innuendoes. Thank you.
Harvey Brodsky
Managing Director
Tire Retread Information Bureau
Pacific Grove, Calif.
Hold the pickle
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. sells tires. Kmart Corp. sells tires. Now Midas Inc. has tires.
I cannot wait until Burger King sells tires. That way you can have a cheeseburger while your car is being worked on. Or they can jack it up in the drive-through lane. You won't even have to get out of your car.
And the kids can watch right outside the window. Don't get me started.
Bill Werstein
Store manager
Neal Tire & Auto Service Inc.
Washington, Ill.