The organization created by the July 1 merger of the Tire Association of North America (TANA) and the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) will be called the Tire Industry Association (TIA).
The name was chosen because of its inclusive nature and simplicity, according to TANA/ITRA officials.
"By not mentioning any one segment of the industry, our (new) name speaks for all of them," ITRA President Tom Raben said earlier this afternoon at a press conference in Akron, Ohio.
"TIA will have an affinity with every market in the tire industry, including the retail dealer, retreader, tire and rubber recycler, rubber supplier, commercial tire dealer, supplier, tire repair professional, manufacturer, tire service professional, wholesaler/distributor, wheel and rim specialist, truck stop operator, service station dealer/operator and tire equipment marketer."
One of TIA's long-term goals will be reaching out to consumers, says TANA/ITRA Executive Vice President Ross Kogel.
"The tire industry is getting an unfair rap in the media. Tires are some of the safest and highest-quality products available today."
"Without developing respect for our products and services in the mind of the public, we will never thrive as we should," says TANA President Steve Disney.
This marks the fifth name in seven years for TANA and ITRA.
Paul Bobzin, president of La Canada Tire in La Canada, Calif., came up with the name.
TIA will hold a joint board of directors meeting involving representatives from both TANA and ITRA June 20-22 in Pinehurst, N.C.
"The meeting is the first chance for the two largest industry groups -- with over 4,000 combined volunteers -- to organize the industry's non-profit efforts into one cohesive plan," says Disney.
