Kenda, Iberian association join ITMA

In January, the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association has welcomed two new members. Kenda has become the latest tyre maker to come on board, and is joined in the ITMA ranks by the Madrid-based National Association of Tyre Importers and Distributors (ADINE).

As a tyre manufacturer member, Kenda will receive support and advice on regulations pertaining to the sale of tyres within Europe and will attend regular ITMA technical meetings, which are used as a discussion forum where members can exchange ideas and share examples of best practice. “We are delighted to welcome Kenda to ITMA,” commented association director Peter Taylor. “Despite being firmly established as a world-class tyre manufacturer, Kenda’s membership demonstrates the extra levels of support and intelligence that is needed to compete effectively within Europe and we look forward to being able to provide this assistance.”

Kenda has been manufacturing tyres for a wide range of applications since 1962 and today produces tyres from eight factories in Taiwan, China and Vietnam. The company employs more than 10,000 people and markets its products in Asia, North America and Europe.

ADINE joined as an affiliate member at the start of 2014, and ITMA says its membership benefits the Spanish-Portuguese association’s own members in terms of technical and legislative knowledge. The association represents some 170 businesses across the two countries and works closely with public authorities, acting as a single voice for the industry in response to any new regulations proposed by their respective governments.

“2013 has been one of the busiest years for ITMA in terms of welcoming new members so it’s fantastic that 2014 will start off in a similar vein,” shared ITMA president Alfred Graham. “The sheer scale and complexity of the information provided by ITMA continues to be a huge benefit to our members, especially those without their own technical centres in Europe. Therefore we expect to be working very closely with our Spanish and Portuguese colleagues over the coming months and years and we look forward to supporting them in their efforts.”