The tire industry got a bit of a shock last fall when the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau let Harvey Brodsky go. David Stevens has filled the managing director position held by Brodsky for years at TRIB, and Brodsky has started a new advocacy group for retreaders called the Retread Tire Association.

The industry now has two associations working to promote retreading and serving as technical resources. Both of them are exhibiting at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., next week. Here's what each group says are its future plans.

Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau

Stevens says there's still work to be done promoting the economic and environmental benefits of retreading programs, and TRIB will be taking full advantage of new media to accomplish that goal.

"When we explain the benefits of retreading we do see people's reactions change, so we will be working to get that message to a broader group of people. We'll be expanding our communications capacity and making broader use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook," Stevens says. "There's a new website in the works, with a new B2B section where members looking to sell can connect with members looking to buy casing, machines, and that sort of thing."

TRIB also plans to include a user's forum where questions posted to a help forum will become a knowledge base for future reference. TRIB says it will continue sending casing and supplier memos.

Stevens has worked in marketing, PR and business development roles for more than 20 years with firms such as MCI, First USA, AOL and E-Trade. He just completed the relocation of TRIB headquarters to the Washington, D.C. area.

"It's beneficial for us as a trade association to be nearer to the various federal agencies, as well as being close to many of the other industry associations we work alongside, including the Tire Industry Association, the Rubber Manufacturers Association, and the American Trucking Associations," Stevens explained.

Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau
1013 Birch Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
877-394-6811
www.retread.org

Retread Tire Association

Brodsky says the goal of his new group is simple: to promote the economic and safety benefits of retreading. Retreading has come leaps and bounds from where it used to be, Brodsky says, and the message will reflect that.

"A quality retread will go head-to-head with any tier-one tire, and as long as you look after them, they'll perform as well as the best tire on the market," he says. "People are still under the impression that a retreaded tire is less than the best or somehow second rate - that you buy retreads when you can't afford new tires."

A large part of RTA's mission will be promoting the proper care and maintenance of all tires, and stressing proper repair techniques.

"It drives me crazy, but people still assume that a tire carcass laying on the road is a retread," he says. "We know from research that most of those are virgin tires that have been run flat. The same thing will happen to a retreaded tire or a new tire if you don't look after it, but we still get the blame. I want to one day put a stop to that misconception."

Brodsky says the RTA has a website in the works that will include lots of technical resources, and marketing materials for retreaders to use in promoting their product. As well, there will be a casing exchange, and a buy and sell section where members can source tools and materials.
He will continue sending out casing and supplier memos, too.

Retread Tire Association
900 Weldon Grove
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
888-810-8861
www.retreadtire.org