Tire Industry Association

The Year of the International Tire Dealer, President Paul Hyatt
by Kevin Rohlwing
Editor and TIA Senior Vice President
of Education and Technical Services

Each year, the Presidency of TIA changes hands and another industry leader takes the next step in giving something back to the Association. Being President requires additional time over and above what is normally expected of a volunteer board member, yet every year another tire dealer knowingly takes the reins. It’s a cycle that has continued for decades and includes more than one hundred individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to serving the membership. Our new TIA President, Paul Hyatt, of Superior Tire in Toronto, Canada, is another clear example of someone who exemplifies the willingness to donate his time for the betterment of others... 110806

2006 Tire Industry Compensation Survey
TIA in cooperation with Salary.com (a nationally recognized company specializing in compensation surveys and software) announce the start of the 2006 Tire Industry Compensation Survey. Receive a FREE COPY as a participating TIA members. All you have to do is complete the survey and return the results to Salary.com by January 26, 2007 (deadline extended). TIA MEMBERS ONLY

Due to the overwhelming interest in the tire industry compensation survey, the deadline for participating has been extended to January 26, 2007. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please be sure to participate today!

TIA’s new Passenger Wheel Retention Video is now available. The video focuses on the proper procedures for installing passenger and light truck tire and wheel assemblies with the correct amount of torque and clamping force. It also discusses the importance of inspecting components and includes the correct methods for using a standard clicker torque wrench. It’s available in DVD and VHS format. For more information, please visit www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372, ext. 106.

TIA HAS TRAINED OVER
26,000 TIRE TECHINICIANS!!!
Contact TIA today to train your technicians.

Certified Instructor Classes
Our Certified Automotive and Commercial Instructor Fall classes are fast approaching. As always, participation is right on track with many people signed up in each of the sessions we are offering. Also, we have negotiated a contract with a hotel in each city to offer the participants a discount on their stay and transportation to the training enters. The schedule for these classes is as follows:

Automotive Tire Service (ATS)
Denver, Colorado	Baltimore, Maryland
3 day March 7-9, 2007 4 day March 6-9, 2007	3 day Jan. 9-11, 2007 4 day Jan. 9-12, 2007


Commercial Tire Service (CTS)
Denver, Colorado	Baltimore, Maryland
3 day Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2007 4 day Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2007	3 day Dec. 6-8, 2006 4 day Dec. 5-8, 2006 3 day Feb. 28-March 2, 2007 4 day Feb. 27-March 2, 2007

For information on registering for these classes, please visit our TRAINING page or contact Beth Tennant at 800-876-8372, ext. 107 or e-mail btennant@tireindustry.org.

TIA’s “Tire Safety Starts Here” campaign for members with certified technicians has been a success; however, it is still in its infancy in terms of potential. This campaign focuses on educating the consumer in both the retail passenger tire market and the commercial tire market. If you are interested in the FREE Tire Safety Starts Here promotional kit, please contact Paul Connolly at 800-876-8372, ext. 100 or Register online.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Training Program
We are excited to report that the new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Training Program is the fastest-selling program in the history of ITRA, TANA or TIA. Almost everyone agrees that it provides a thorough overview of TPMS and gives technicians the information they need to protect the sensor through the servicing process.

TPMS for Tire Dealers

Self-help books have been around for a long time, but the movement has definitely gotten out of hand when there's a Bird Watching for Dummies. Since we don't have a Dummies book for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), TIA has developed the first in a series of educational programs to train dealers on how this new technology will affect their companies.

Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Training Programs
Finally, automotive and light truck tire service technicians have access to the most comprehensive, step-by-step information in the industry. The TIA member price for this 200-Level Basic ATS Program is only $150 (includes technician workbook, VHS, DVD, ICD and 12-month unlimited access to the web-based component.)

Fleet Truck Tire and Wheel Training — In the Maintenance Facility. Programs offering flexible options to train employees and are tailored to fit the needs of Fleets today.

Tire Industry Compensation Survey
Bowie, MD – (December 6, 2006) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) today announced the 2006 Tire Industry Compensation Survey that is being conducted in cooperation with Salary.com – a nationally recognized company specializing in compensation surveys and software. The survey is available to TIA members and those that participate will receive a free copy of the survey—a $395.00 value. Non-members are encouraged to consider becoming a member to receive this valuable benefit. TIA’s membership dues rate schedule starts at $250.00 per year. The deadline for participating in the survey is January 26, 2007.

TIA's COMMERCIAL TIRE, RETREAD,
& RECYCLING CONFERENCE
February 6-8, 2006
Tampa Convention Center • Tampa, Florida
Registration is now available! Make plans now to attend this gathering of industry professionals to discuss the latest trends and technological advances. Don’t miss this opportunity for dealers, retreaders, and recyclers to network and gain the tools they need to be successful in managing their businesses. For the conference program schedule, hotel information and conference registration, go to www.tireindustry.org and click on “Events” or use the attached registration form. If you have any questions regarding the conference, contact Lakisha Pindell at 800-876-8372, ext. 104 or by email at lpindell@tireindustry.org.

PERFORMANCE TIRES & WHEELS (PTW)/SEMA SHOW
The PTW/SEMA show was a great success! The Performance Tires and Wheels section of the show was sold out once again. Thank you to those members who stopped by to visit us at the TIA booth. There was a great amount of traffic in the TIA booth this year resulting in some new members and more training products sold. The “Tires at Two” seminars were well attended as they were last year. The TPMS Manufacturers Forum seminars proved that TPMS training continues to be a hot topic for attendees with standing room only crowds. TIA’s special events were also very well attended, with the first International Reception being so popular that Toyo has already agreed to sponsor next year’s reception.

UPDATE: It’s official – the Democrats have retaken the House and Senate (just in case you’ve been under a rock for the past week). Small Business Health Plans, Lawsuit Abuse Reform and Permanent Reform of the Estate Tax are no longer on the backburner – they are probably out of the kitchen for the foreseeable future. An increase in the Federal Minimum Wage will almost certainly be a top priority for the new majority leadership. The difficult piece of this election that will affect our members the most is the loss of Joe Barton (R-TX) as the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee... (more)

One last note – there is a coalition of Democrats in the House known as the “Blue-Dogs” who are fiscally conservative and more businessfriendly. We can only hope that their ranks will grow. 11-28-2006

Electronic Tire Registration
There appears to be a major movement by some industry folks to allow electronic tire registration as an alternative to the card/mail-in method now in place (electronic is currently “in addition to”). From our perspective it now makes sense and we would welcome your comments. If you would like to add to the conversation please contact Paul Fiore at your earliest convenience. 10-16-2006

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTACT PORTAL
Use these links below to look up your Government Official, send then an email regarding an important topic of Industry concern. Your voice is important. It’s as easy as pointing and clicking. Don’t let important legislation happen without your opinion being expressed.

US Site www.firstgov.gov
Get in touch with your Federal (Executive, Legislative & Judicial), State and Local Government Officials.

Canadian Site http://canada.gc.ca/directories/direct_e.html
Get in touch with members of the Senate and House of Commons and various government agencies. This site is available in both English and French.

For information on the Right to Repair Act and it's effect in Canada, go to: www.controlledautorepair.com.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to call Paul Fiore at 800-876-8372, ext. 102.

TPMS Lawsuit
TIA joined forces with Public Citizen, Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper and Pirelli Tires to sue the Department of Transportation regarding the final rule on Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (click to download final rule by NHTSA). On June 6, 2005 a lawsuit was filed. TIA and the other petitioners feel the final TPMS rule does not keep the motoring public safe. The full petition can be found on TIA's website (click here). TIA had also filed a Petition for Reconsideration with NHTSA regarding the final rule.

Help Promote TIA
TIA has created several quarter page black and white ads that can be placed in your publication or newsletter. Just download the hi-res PDF's and they are ready to use!