“Expansion” and “investment” are two words that describe Marangoni Tread North America’s strategy. Marangoni expanded its network by three retreaders in 2019 and the company also is making significant investments at its tread rubber plant in Madison, Tenn.

It was shaping up to be an interesting, action-packed year for United States-based retreaders long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Six experts provide a look at the state of the retread market, and they also weigh in on the biggest issues facing retreading: tariffs on Chinese truck tires and the future of technology.

There were fewer Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, Mack and International trucks at the Mid-America Trucking Show this year because all the Class 8 original equipment truck manufacturers declined to attend. But tire manufacturers and marketers did their best to make up the difference in floor space.