Top Issues for TRIB Match Top Industry Concerns Around the Globe

Oct. 31, 2016

The Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) is focusing its work on three key areas: its members, the public, and government.

And even while much of TRIB’s focus remains on the U.S. – 64% of its web traffic is based in America – Managing Director David Stevens pointed to a global theme for many of the issues confronting retreaders in the U.S. The use of low-cost, low-quality tires imported from China is affecting retreaders across the globe, and as a result TRIB has worked with its European counterpart, The European Retread Association, known as Bipaver, as that group has considered its own legislative response.

Stevens spoke at the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Show in July and at the Asian Retread Conference in October, and in both instances Chinese imports were a focus. “They’re facing the same issue,” Stevens told TRIB members at its annual meeting Oct. 31, 2016, in Las Vegas. As a result discussions are underway as to where to stage the next Global Retread Symposium. The first was held during the 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

In addition to those legislative and governmental affairs, TRIB is updating its collection of videos, including a tour of a retread facility. Other videos were translated into Spanish and Portuguese to increase their global use.

Bob Majewski, chief technical officer at Sumerel Tire Service Inc., wondered how well these projects are advertised to TRIB members. “How does a member know what they’re getting for their membership?” End-of-the-year messages on statements end up in payables, and likely don’t reach the intended audience, he said.

That’s a point that can be part of what’s already shaping up to be a “big focus” for 2017, Stevens said – a campaign to expand membership.