The Florida Independent Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (FITDRA) and the Automotive Service Association of Florida (ASA-FL) have agreed to merge into a single organization.
Each group's board of directors unanimously accepted a plan of merger on Dec. 1.
Members will vote in January; if two-thirds approve the plan, the merger will go through Feb. 1, 2002.
Merger terms include the following, according to FITDRA officials:
* both groups' boards will consolidate into one;
* the combined group will be initially headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla.;
* each group's individual meetings, social events, training programs and other traditions will be preserved;
* all businesses currently eligible for membership in the FTDRA and/or ASA-FL will be eligible for membership in the new association.
"This merger is a natural fit for both organizations," says FITDRA President John Tidwell.
"This is the beginning of the automotive service industry in Florida becoming unified with one voice," says ASA-FL President Rick Smith.
