Attending the Tire Industry Association's (TIA) Off-The-Road (OTR) Conference for the first time was Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) President and CEO Charles Cannon. The TIA OTR Tire Conference took place Feb 15-18, 2012, in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Cannon was introduced by TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield who said, “Our two associations have had some high points and some low points in the past... but Immediate Past President Mike Berra and current President Larry Brandt feel the industry must speak as one voice.”
Cannon spoke briefly and said, “We have had a mandate for a couple of years to work together.” Cannon said both associations put forth a consistent front in addressing a tire fuel efficiency ratings hearing in San Francisco in early February.
Cannon said he looks forward to TIA’s input and jokingly said he and Littlefield were “joined at the hip” as they march forward on the fuel efficiency topic.
Cannon and Littlefield are also both working together on Feb. 21 to oppose the proposed Maryland tire aging bill.
