New RMA mantra: Tires only

Oct. 21, 2010

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has successfully completed a reorganization and is now a trade association dedicated to a singular mission: to represent the interests of tire manufacturers in the United States. 

“The restructured RMA will bring an intense focus to the pressing regulatory and legislative needs of the U.S. tire manufacturing industry,” says Charles Cannon, RMA CEO and president.

“The host of general issues that impact the elastomer products sector will be handled by a new organization, the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM). APRM will meet in Indianapolis this week and we wish them well.”

Earlier this year, RMA’s Board of Directors approved a plan to restructure the organization to better serve the interests of its membership (see "Tire manufacturers will stay with the new RMA"). The restructuring resulted in two separate organizations -- one that represents tire manufacturers and one to serve the needs of the other elastomer products manufacturers.

Each organization is an independent 501(c)(6) trade association with its own board of directors, officers, budget and management.

“Separating the two entities will reduce costs and improve the performance of each organization," says Cannon. "Each group will be positioned to better serve the immediate needs of its members while preserving the opportunity to work together on issues of mutual interest.”