US Senator “Owes Retreading Industry an Apology”

Although most likely uttered out of ignorance rather than malice, comments made by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin have the potential to tarnish the reputation of retreaders throughout the US. During a speech at the Iowa Democratic Party’s state convention on June 12, Harking referred to a Republican party candidate as a ‘retread’ – an insult that, you may be amazed to learn, has gained a measure of popularity on the other side of the Atlantic – and then continued by saying “and the problem with retreads is that they have a tendency to blow out and cause a lot of wrecks.”

Of course you and I know that retreads are every bit as safe as new tyres, but countless thousands of Americans who heard the Senator’s speech are perhaps less well informed. In response to Harkin’s poorly chosen words, the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau said the Senator should know better than to denigrate an entire industry – especially as his home state of Iowa is also the home of the world’s largest retread tyre manufacturer.
 
“Senator Harkin better get used to taking the train back and forth from Washington since every major airline –including military planes – routinely take off and land on retreads,” said TRIB managing director Harvey Brodsky. “He might also be interested to learn that retreads are safely used on school buses throughout the country, and in many other parts of the world.  Fire engines and other emergency vehicles also safely use retreads, as do millions of commercial and public sector fleet vehicles.”
 
As TRIB points out, in the US there is even a Federal Executive Order (13149) mandating the use of retreads on selected federal fleet vehicles. And the association adds that the retreading industry has helped save hundreds of millions of gallons of oil every year in the US alone while keeping millions of tyres out of landfills. “The retread industry also saves government and private sector fleets millions of dollars every year, without sacrificing safety, performance or handling,” TRIB comments.

“Senator Harkin should be ashamed, and he owes the entire retread industry an apology,” concluded Brodsky.