The NTDA Embraces Changes

When Peter Gaster took on the Chairmanship of the NTDA for the second time three years ago (the first time was in '93), it was with the express intention of conducting a root and branch review of the workings of the association with a view to modernisation. At the association's recent AGM, the recommendations arising from this review were accepted and Gaster stepped down to allow David White to take the Chairman's post.

With the review over, T&A spoke to Peter Gaster about the process, what the changes were and how significant they were to the way that the NTDA is organised and run. First of all, the time scale – three years is a long time, so why had it taken so long?

“We wanted to make sure that we explored every avenue,” Gaster explained, “and we spent the first 12 months investigating whether it would be in the association’s best interest to maybe merge with another organisation.” Discussions were opened up with other associations – both in the tyre industry and those connected with the motor industry – and, according to Gaster, one or two of these “got some way down the tracks” before it became clear that fundamental stumbling blocks meant that any such alliance would be impractical.

So, was it a waste of a year? “No,” replied Gaster, “it was just an idea that didn’t work, but we had to examine it. One positive note came from it; it made us realise just how powerful an organisation the NTDA is and the amount of influence that it has.”

With that avenue closed, it was time to turn attention inwards and a group of council members was formed, representing a cross-section of the membership, to look at issues that were of concern. “We started with a blank sheet of paper and a brainstorming session,” explained Gaster. “Eventually we had a series of topics which we talked to members about and these were finally distilled into the two major changes adopted at the AGM.”

First of all, it became obvious that there was something lacking in the association’s regional structure. “While some regions were still very active, others were struggling to attract members to regular meetings” said Gaster. It seemed that the formal, regional structure had had its day, and yet, if the association were to be truly representative of its members, input was still needed from up and down the UK.

The solution was to look at the membership and invite those who might like to put themselves forward for membership of the Council. This is limited to 24 and, by careful selection, it can be ensured that the Council is truly representative, both geographically and of size of organisation. This gives regional representation, but without the formal, regional structure.

So, no more Ladies’ Nights, then? “There is nothing to stop members in an area getting together and organising an event or social function, should they wish to,” said Gaster, “it is just that now it is event- and people-led, rather than structure-led.”

In practice, should the NTDA organise a series of seminars, such as the recent H&S events, these would continue to be held across the country in order to reach as wide an audience as possible. The “National” part of the association’s name is still important and there is no desire or intention of concentrating power in any one area.

The biggest change of all

The second major change was, admitted Gaster, “the biggest change of all and the one that we had to fight hardest for.” This change was the suggestion of the formation of a dedicated supplier section. In the past, suppliers have been welcome to join the NTDA, but have had little real influence – this new proposal would not only give them their own group, but one, or possibly two, seats on the Council to boot.

Peter Gaster harked back to the power of the NTDA, for instance when it comes to lobbying and informing Governement, and admitted that he would like the association to be as powerful as possible. “Our members do not only sell tyres,” he said. “With mechanical work, MOTs and fast-fit products we spend millions on things other than tyres. I would like to see the NTDA represent these too. The role of the tyre dealer has changed in recent years.”

How would such a group work? Gaster believes that there is a ready-made template available – that of the Tyre Wholesalers Group. “The TWG is independent, while at the same time being part of the NTDA,” he says, “and it really works. I can visualise suppliers forming a similar group.”

The intention is that anyone who supplies the tyre industry, from tyres to IT, would be invited to join. Details still have to be fleshed out, but a suggestion is that one Council seat would be earmarked to represent those who supply tyres and another for non-tyre suppliers.

By occupying two Council seats (for the first time ever, incidentally) the suppliers would have a certain amount of influence, while at the same time they could never dominate the organisation, which was a fear expressed by some NTDA members.

In enlarging the scope of the NTDA, is it not duplicating the work of the TIF? Peter Gaster denied this emphatically, describing TIF as “the best game in town” when it comes to industry representation. He just wants to see the NTDA fulfil its potential and be truly representative of its members. 

“The changes voted on at the AGM may not sound particularly earth-shattering, but make no mistake, they are the result of much debate and discussion and represent a restructuring of the association’s membership structure to accommodate a wider brief,” Gaster says.

And, after three years, is Peter Gaster happy with what has been achieved? The answer is a resounding “yes”. Summing up, he said: “At the start of my period as Chairman, I set out to see what changes were necessary to modernise the NTDA’s outlook and to implement them. No-one had taken a proper look at the workings of the association before and a review was urgently needed. At the end of three years, I am content to leave the post, having done what I set out to do.”