TRIB Managing Director David Stevens said it's been a challenging environment for associations in general to increase their membership due to generational issues and economic issues. But for TRIB, in particular, the challenge has been the competition in the association space where there is a relatively low and finite number of retreading companies.
However, TRIB was able to surpass its target growth rate this year, Mr. Stevens said, while declining to divulge numbers.
This year TRIB has focused on boosting communications with its members through a series of newsletters, including a "TRIB Tech Tuesday" issue that deals with technical problems faced by retreaders and tire repair companies. Mr. Stevens estimated that the association communicates with its members on average about 22 times per month.
The association also has redesigned its website with more imagery, social media links, site search, information on retreading for the public and DOT codes information for members.
The site also will provide links for Tire Industry Association (TIA) training materials, a TRIB store and space for supplier members to promote their products and services.
The website features three videos—a retread plant tour, fleet management testimonials on retreading, and facts about rubber on the road—the latter of which is being updated with the help of the American Commercial Tire Network with a focus on the environmental benefits of retreading. The video will be used to combat any negative news stories about retreading, Mr. Stevens said.
However, he noted that he has seen a decline in negative press regarding retreaded tires in the last three years. "But there still is on a weekly basis somebody talking negatively about retreads, whether they hit a piece of rubber on the road and claim it's a retread….
"We monitor so many different forums and anytime a comment comes up like that, we immediately deal with it by providing facts and a link to our website," Mr. Stevens said.
________________________________________
To reach this reporter: [email protected]; 330-865-6127.
