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NORTH AMERICA NEWS
Canton Bandag Founder Dies
represents well over 800,000 people and growing.
In Congress, he's known for his work on the federal budget, health care and government reform. He's also a businessman, attorney and part-time Vanderbilt professor when Congress
the US International Trade Commission not to impose tariffs on truck and bus tyres produced in China.
Marangoni has taken a “no wait” approach and has launched a very aggressive “Retread Instead”
One of the original Bandag franchisees,Everett David Richards, founder of Canton Bandag Co., passed away on the 4th July aged 87. Upon hearing about the then-new Bandag retreading process, Mr. Everett and three partners invested $1,000 each to open one of the original Bandag retreading shops in Akron in 1959.
"As you may imagine it was rough going in those times. 'Bandag? Never heard of it' was many a comment to overcome, but slowly and with much perseverance a small customer base began," said his son Dave Richards, adding, "My father cherished each customer because he knew there were other places his customers could do business with. But my dad earned their trust, and they knew he was honest with them at all times, and, when failures happened, he
always made it right and was very responsive."
"Dad had advertised that he would cap any size tyre and eventually was taken to court over this claim by one of the major tyre makers. It was agreed upon in court that three tyres would be supplied for retreading by the complainant. One tyre was a 4.10/3.50-4, another was a 6.00-6 airplane tyre and the last was a 6.00-23 Studebaker tyre. Dad was given one week to return with the tyres retreaded. The big guys thought they had him. I have the tyres
still today as a constant reminder you need only believe and trust in the Lord. Dad never backed down when he was in the right," said his son, who grew up working with him in the business.
Canton Bandag moved to a new 24,000-sq.-ft. facility in Canton in 2000 where the company manufactures solid antique rubber tyres, specialises in retreading industrial solid rubber, foam-filled, pneumatic and medium truck tyres, as well as offering VIS semi-truck aluminium wheel polishing. Preceded in death by his wife, Joy Ann, he is survived by sons Everett Dave (Candace) Jr. and Daniel (Pati); daughters Rebecca (Douglas) Gross and Kimberly (Greg) Sloan; six grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren.
is not in session.
Bill Sweatman, President of Marangoni Tread N.A. welcomed Congressmen Cooper and Black, and gave a presentation on behalf of the entire retread industry and the important role it plays economically and environmentally. Sweatman also expressed his concern for the over sixty thousand US jobs in the retreading and related industries that are being threatened as a result of the February 22nd, 2017 ruling by
education campaign. The goal is to promote the best practice of buying quality premium new tyres with the intent toward Total Life Cycle tyre maintenance including retreading. “The “Retread instead” campaign is meant to further enhance the overall awareness of the benefits of retreading as a whole, and we need to band together as an industry to combat low quality non-retreadable tyres,” said Sweatman.
Marangoni Tread North America Hosts US Congressmen to Promote “Retread Instead” Campaign
Bridgestone Bandag Plant Receives the Carolina Star Award
In two separate visits, Marangoni Tread North America recently hosted US Congressmen Jim Cooper and Diane Black at its headquarters in
Madison, TN to promote the “Retread Instead” campaign. The company recently initiated a petition drive to President Trump asking him
to nominate a new commissioner to fill the vacant seat within the USITC.
Congressman Black’s office was the first to respond and expressed an interest in learning more about the impact of dumping low quality, non-retreadable tyres into America. Congressman Cooper represents Tennessee’s 5th district in the heart of middle Tennessee which includes Nashville. The population of his district
Bridgestone America’s Inc has celebrated the recognition of its Bandag retreading facility in Oxford, NC as a Carolina Star Site by the North Carolina Department of Labor. The Carolina Star Program recognises sites that have a cooperative relationship between employees and
management by implementing programmes that meet a specific set of safety criteria, ensure a safe and healthful environment and demonstrate leadership by the company in the areas of health and safety.
Pictured from left at the award presentation are David Martin, Kimberly Bostic NCDOL, William Holden, Commissioner Cherie Berry NCDOL, Jared Noah, Mark Highland, Eursula Joyner NCDOL and Chris Daniel
Congressman Diane Black
12 Retreading Business