Tyre majors form Hungarian trade association

Seven major tyre makers with individual distribution units in Hungary have joined together to form the Hungarian Tire Association. The association, which will be known by this English name (or by its abbreviation, HTA), boasts Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Pirelli and Vredestein as its founding members and has been set up to represent tyre manufacturers and distributors with a presence within the country. The HTA also states its purpose is to represent “the legitimate interests of the industry.”

The HTA describes itself as “the first professional association of this kind in Central Europe” and during November it intends to apply for membership with the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association as the organisation’s Hungarian representative. Péter Urbán, general manager of Bridgestone Magyarország Marketing Szolgáltató Kft., will serve as the HTA’s first president.

In a press statement announcing its formation, the HTA said that as a representative of “the legitimate interests of tyre industrial players in Hungary,” the association will support national manufacturers and distributors in regard to all national and European competitive rules in order to ensure that regulations related to tyre manufacturing and utilisation are “prepared under a proper professional supervision according to national and European regulations.”

“The aim of HTA is to create a positive understanding of the tyre industry and its products amongst the general public and to advise participants of economic and political life, to achieve an appropriate and globally competitive legislative and regulatory environment,” said the HTA in a November 10 statement released by executive chairman Péter Morenth to announce the association’s formation. “HTA aspires to cooperate with national and international professional bodies such as the Brussels based ETRMA and the Hungarian Institute for Transport Sciences (KTI), in order to increase transportation safety. The association considers it important to draw awareness for tyre quality, proper mounting and servicing procedures.”

In the future, the HTA intends to represent Hungary’s tyre industry in discussions with the government, media and other business organisations, and to support this work will consult with ministries and governmental institutions on new bills and regulations relevant to the tyre industry. The HTA also declares social responsibility to be a “vital element” of its CSR strategy and corporate culture, and thus says it will seek “for the best ways to set good examples in the future.”