ITMA has announced that China’s Shengtai Group has become the association’s latest member.
Established in 2002 and located in Xishui, Shandong, the company produces a wide range of tyre products and brands including the ‘Rapid’ brand. As a member of ITMA, Shengtai will receive regular updates on the legislative and technical issues which affect the sale of tyres within Europe.
Taiwanese tyre manufacturer Federal Tyres has joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA), and in doing so receives access to regular updates on technical and legislative matters affecting the sale of tyres within the EU, helping it to ensure its products remain fully compliant for sale.
ITMA technical partner, Tread Ltd, reports that it has invested in expanding the services available to members. The company’s permanent test fleet now includes a magazine standard VW Polo to sit alongside its existing VW Golf, meaning that test and development of all standard tyre sizes is even easier.
The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) has welcomed TREAD Ltd into associate membership as its preferred technical partner. According to the association, Tyre Reifen Engineering and Development (TREAD Ltd) offers specialist technical services to many of the world’s tyre makers.
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).
Chinese tyre manufacturers are reportedly boosting their efforts to develop closer links with European markets after a recent meeting between the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) and Europe’s Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). The first of several planned meetings between the two organisations was held at the request of CRIA who are investigating opportunities on behalf of their 1,200 members about how they can deepen their engagement within Europe.
China’s largest tyre maker, Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber, has become the country’s latest manufacturer to sign up with the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). Its membership gives Hangzhong Zhongce access to the very latest technical and legislative regulations affecting the sale of tyres within Europe.
On 1 November NDI A/S appointed Tyre Cat (Girona) as exclusive Nordexx distributor in Spain including. As well as mainland Spain the distributorship also includes Andorra, Melilla, Ceuta, the Canary Islands and the Baleares Islands. NDI reports that Tyre Cat has already shown “big potential” and has been distributing Nordexx since mid 2011.
Torsten Johansson, secretary general of the Scandinavian Tyre and Rim Organisation (STRO) has died. He was 59. Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) president David Seward said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Torsten and we would like to offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and colleagues. Although our relationship with Torsten was still in its infancy, it was clear to see his expertise, passion and dedication towards the industry and his death will be a sad loss.”
UK importer and wholesaler Bond International has joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). As the exclusive UK distributor for several brands, the company says it will benefit from ITMA’s expertise and access to the latest EU legislation and regulations, in ensuring that its imported tyres remain fully compliant for sale in the EU. “The number of laws and technical requirements for importers and manufacturers looking to sell tyres within the EU can be quite daunting and overwhelming,” explains Steve Tidmarsh, financial director, Bond International.
Through its new, refreshed web presence, the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association hopes not only to convey its progressive approach; the association has structured the itma-europe.com website to serve as a valuable tool and resource for its members.
Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) secretary general and Imported Tyre Manufacturer’s Association (ITMA) director Peter Taylor received his OBE during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 15 October. The award was presented by Her Majesty The Queen. Taylor received the award for services to the tyre industry and for his contribution to the businesses ground breaking tyre recovery and recycling programme.
At its Annual General Meeting held in Northampton on 4 June, the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association elected Steve Tidmarsh as its new President. Tidmarsh is sales director of the Kumho UK organization will serve a two year term of office effective immediately. The Association also re-elected its long-standing treasurer, Alfred Graham (Alfred Graham Ltd) for a further two-year period.
New president, Tidmarsh stated, “Just now all of us in the tyre business face very great challenges, both commercial and technical. Effective trade associations are essential in this environment, especially when faced as we are with a seeming endless raft of new legislation from Brussels. The recently-favoured ITMA European Technical Group is specifically designed to give all our members the edge they need to stay ahead of developments. One of my objectives over the next two years will be to persuade those brands who feel they can still survive without this kind of help that they too should join with us”.
The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association has launched a European Technical Group, aimed at better supporting its member companies across the 27 member states of the EU. Speaking about the new initiative, ITMA Director Peter Taylor said: “The tyre industry is facing a deluge of new Directives and Regulations and we must organise ourselves better in order to prepare to deal with them. By sharing our individual resources in this way we can have a big impact.
“Across the Union, our members account for up to 40 million units annually and we must not allow ourselves to be marginalised or seen wanting. The formation of this group will help us to serve our members better, encourage others to join and give us a unique, new voice.” The group is comprised of tyre engineers and other specialists nominated by ITMA member companies from around the world; it has already held its first meeting.
Peter Gaster has been appointed chairman of the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF), following the federation’s AGM in London last week. Gaster is also current chairman of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) and has represented the NTDA on the TIF Board since it joined the organisation three years ago.
“It is a great honour for me to take on this pivotal role in the UK tyre industry and I look forward to representing the varied interests of the industry as TIF’s chairman. NTDA continues to be totally supportive of the objectives of the TIF and I will ensure that TIF’s key role, as a forum to bring together the various sectors of our industry in the interests of better communication and understanding, continues to be the cornerstone of the organisation,” Peter Gaster commented.
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