LOUISVILLE, Ky.—A coalition of trucking industry players, including the “Big 3” tire makers, is supporting an industrywide image and education campaign—called “Trucking Moves America Forward”—whose aim will be to build “political and grassroots support” for the industry's interests.
“Today's modern truck drivers are skilled professionals and devoted family men and women, trained to focus on safety, efficiency and reliability while operating the safest and most sustainable trucks we have seen to-date,” said Steve Ponder, chairman of Trucking Moves America Forward and vice-president of Great West Casualty Co., during the Mid-America Trucking Show.
“Trucking is an important industry to our country, nearly every consumer good touches a truck along its journey and we are excited to share what makes trucking so special with the American people,” Mr. Ponder said.
The initiative, supported by a diverse group of industry influencers, including leading executives, professional truck drivers and technicians, targeted an initial annual budget of $1 million. As of late March, the coalition had raised half that amount.
Information about the initiative, including examples of an advertising campaign, is available online at www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com.
Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, Goodyear and Michelin Americas Truck Tires are among 40-plus trucking industry companies and associations supporting the initiative.
The 2014 MATS itself attracted slightly more than 79,000 attendees, the third highest attendance in event history, the organizers said. Attendees came from all 50 U.S. states and from 78 countries. The show boasted 1,077 exhibiting companies—including more than a dozen tire companies—from 10 countries occupying 1.2 million square feet of space.