WASHINGTON (April 16, 2003) — Shipments of tread rubber are expected to grow 1.4 percent in 2003, producing 16.5 million retreaded tires in the U.S., according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
A soft first quarter is expected to be offset by strong growth the rest of the year, said the RMA's Tread Rubber Market Analysis Committee. This increase will be spurred primarily by the improvement of the economy in general and growth in the construction industry.
Positive freight trends also will fuel growth through 2005 at an annual rate of 2.7 percent, the RMA predicted.