CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (April 13, 2009)—Global tire distributor World Trade Association is introducing radial versions of its Xtreme OTR tire brand and a line of bias underground mining tires as well as offering less-than-container-load orders of smaller OTR sizes.
“We're focusing on building our brand and we're rolling into the radial market,” said WTA Vice President Jim DeChene. The Coral Springs-based company began adding radials to its bias OTR tire lineup at the beginning of the year.
As mining is WTA's largest market, it recently expanded its mine tire line to include bias underground mining tires that employ special compounding to endure harsh conditions.
WTA's Xtreme Load and Xtreme Force brands of radial and bias OTR tires are made in China. The firm said it uses a team of engineers, who previously worked for other major tire makers, to audit the manufacturing facility and ensure the tires are built to U.S. specifications.
“Our goal is to make sure tires branded with the Xtreme name are quality tires,” Mr. DeChene said.
At its sole warehouse, a 12,000-sq.-ft. facility next to its headquarters, WTA is adapting to the needs of smaller-sized OTR tire customers by offering less-than-container load orders of its Xtreme radial and bias tires, Mr. DeChene said, noting there's a market out there for companies that “do not have a need for full container loads but buy tires on a regular basis.”
The tires are available to U.S. and international markets, but he expects U.S. customers to generate most of the small orders due to the warehouse's location. WTA's radial portfolio includes tires in the 24- to 35-inch rim diameter range.
Mr. DeChene said WTA—founded in 1998 as an importer and exporter of commercial and passenger tires and automotive products—is “strongly considering” opening additional warehouses in international markets.