New TIA president promises continued focus on training

On 2 November Larry Brandt took over from Mike Berra as president of the Tire Industry Association. In his first speech after taking on the office, Brandt stated a central theme of his administration would be maintaining “continuity in TIA's direction and leadership” and emphasising the TIA's relevance in protecting and educating the US driving public and tyre dealers.

Brandt also outlined the US-based organisation’s goals over the coming year; he promised to continue the organisation’s training programmes and its Global Tire Expo, held in conjunction with the SEMA show in Las Vegas. One of the first new training measures the TIA will introduce is Spanish-language versions of its Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Program for both basic and certified levels plus the Basic Earthmover Tire Service; these should be released in the first quarter of 2012.

“Spanish is the primary language spoken at home for more than 35 million people in the United States and many of them work in the commercial and earthmover tire service industries,” commented Brandt. “Our members came to us with the need for a Spanish version of the CTS Program. While it was not budgeted this year, our dealers and manufacturers stepped up with contributions to make it happen. Likewise, the need for Spanish training materials in the earthmover tire industry prompted Michelin North America to translate and produce the ETS Program at no cost to the Association. Both translations are prime examples of TIA working with the industry to meet the training needs of technicians in the field.”

Another stated focus was a continued strengthening of communications with the Rubber Manufacturers Association and, as the ITA outlined in a press statement, “finding common ground so the two associations may speak with a single voice on relevant issues of the day.”

“TIA’s hallmark is its highly respected training programme, with its classes and sought after support materials,” said Brandt. TIA is constantly leading the industry in education and training…I’m am very excited about our very aggressive 2012 training initiatives and look forward to using my position as president to ensure its success.”