The Ohio Tire & Automotive Association (OTAA) recently voted unanimously to endorse Ohio House Bill 408, legislation which seeks to add additional proof of ownership requirements for transactions involving catalytic converters at scrap metal facilities.
The legislation is an effort to cut down on the rampant theft of catalytic converters, which often can be sold for quick cash by criminals.
“The OTAA is proud to support this legislation,” says Jeff Walilick, OTAA president.
“The impact of these thefts is felt across our industry. OTAA members have seen a dramatic increase in cases where these parts are stolen off their fleet vehicles and even more unfortunately, their customers are increasingly falling victim to these crimes.”
OTAA board member John Marshall, vice president of Dayton, Ohio-based Grismer Tire Co. and past recipient of MTD's Tire Dealer of the Year Award, recently testified in support of the measure in front of the House Criminal Justice Committee.
“The catalytic converter is one of the most valuable parts on a car,” says Marshall. “It contains precious metals that have rapidly increased in value and due to inflation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, that value will only continue to increase.”
“House Bill 408 would put in place additional guardrails that require scrap metal dealers to stipulate proof of ownership when individuals are seeking to sell a catalytic converter. We feel this is a common sense approach to overseeing these transactions.
"Simply by requiring this proof of ownership, which reputable businesses are happy to provide, we can dramatically curtail the ability of criminals to access quick cash.”
Click here to read a recent MTD report about how catalytic converter theft is impacting tire dealers.
