The Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) recently led a delegation of retread industry leaders to Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation that would expand the use of retreaded tires.

The organizations advocated for the Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act (S.2790/H.R.3401), bipartisan legislation "designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing, modernize federal procurement policies and expand the use of retreaded tires across both public and private fleets," say TIA officials. 

"If enacted, the legislation would establish a federal procurement preference for retreaded tires in appropriate public-sector fleet applications while providing a targeted tax credit of up to $30 per retreaded tire, or 30% of the purchase price, for eligible purchasers. The tax credit would be available to both public and private fleet customers purchasing retreaded tires.

"Together, these provisions would help reduce fleet operating costs, strengthen domestic supply chains, and encourage investment in American manufacturing," according to TIA officials. 

Dick Gust, CEO of TIA, led the deligation alongside Roy Littlefield IV, TIA vice president of government affairs, and David Stevens, managing director of TRIB. They were joined by Keith Youngblood, director of retread operations at Love's Travel Stops; Alfredo Saucedo, vice president of manufacturing for Pomp's Tire Service Inc.; and Jason Roanhouse, vice president of manufacturing at McCarthy Tire Service Co. Inc..

The delegation met with the offices of Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), James Lankford (R-OK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Ted Budd (R-NC) to discuss how expanding the use of retreaded tires can strengthen America's manufacturing base, improve supply chain resilience, lower operating costs for public fleets and support environmental sustainability. 

"Retreaded tires represent American manufacturing at its best," says Gust. "We appreciate the opportunity to meet with congressional offices and discuss the important role retreaded tires play in our nation's economy and transportation infrastructure." 

TIA and TRIB emphasized that retreaded tires have long been a trusted solution for commercial trucking fleets, pointing to the extension of life for premium tire casings, the reduction of material consumption and conservation of natural resources.

"The retread industry supports thousands of skilled manufacturing and service jobs across the United States through a network of small, medium and large businesses," say TIA officials. "Standardizing federal procurement policies and creating incentives for retread adoption would strengthen domestic production, reduce reliance on imported tires, improve supply chain security and generate meaningful savings for taxpayers." 

"Retreading is one of the most successful examples of the circular economy in action," says Stevens. "This legislation recognizes the economic, environmental and strategic value of retreaded tires while encouraging greater investment in American manufacturing. We were encouraged by the productive discussions on Capitol Hill and look forward to continuing to build bipartisan support for this important legislation." 

The Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security, and Sustainability Act (S.2790/H.R.3401) represents a bipartisan effort to modernize federal purchasing practices while promoting domestic manufacturing, reducing costs for taxpayers and supporting more sustainable fleet operations. TIA and TRIB will continue working with members of Congress to encourage additional co-sponsors and advance the legislation.