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for a possible return to light truck tyre retreading on both sides of the Atlantic? Most of the Euro-style vans in the U.S. run an LT load range E or euro- metric commercial van tyres, which are probably the most retreadable light truck tyre casings. If you believe that the e- commerce and home delivery movement is going to end with the end of the pandemic, then there’s no point in even considering it. But if you think people are going to keep shopping on their phones so groceries, clothes, and whatever else they need is dropped off at their door, then the rising cost of these tyres would suggest there’s a price point where there would be value in retreading. And if the large delivery and e-commerce companies continue to expand their global delivery services, the demand for heavy duty load range E and euro-metric commercial van tyres is going to increase.
Annual retreading in the U.S. has averaged in the 14 to 15-million range for the last decade because
it makes sense on the bottom line. Fleets are laser-focused on lowering their cost-per-mile and an all new tyre approach simply cannot compete with a quality retread programme. I’ve always said that maths sells truck tyres. When you can present the customer with financial data that proves retreading lowers their operating costs without sacrificing performance or safety, it’s an easy decision. It’s been working in the 19.5-inch retread market for years, but the pandemic has changed everything, and everything is going to keep changing when it’s over. Prices on the LT load range E and euro-metric commercial van tyres are starting to approach and exceed the $200 US mark. At some point, the maths is going to start making sense for the fleets, and if there is enough consistency in sizing and dimensions, light truck tyre retreading in certain sizes could see a resurgence in the not-to- distant future, if it hasn’t already.
TIA Announces Slate for 2020 - 2021 Board of Directors
Ten candidates, including two incumbents and eight newcomers, are vying for four open spots on the Tire Industry Association’s Board of Directors. Those elected will serve three- year terms.
Nominees announced by TIA are as follows:
• Tim BeVier, national account business development manager, Technical Rubber Co. (Johnstown, Ohio)
• Ernie Caramanico (incumbent), owner and president, Amityville Firestone (Amityville, N.Y.)
• Brad Feeney (incumbent), director of commercial programs, TBC Corp. (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
• Travis Glidden, regional sales manager, Stellar Industries Inc. (Garner, Iowa)
• Lance Meyer, vice president of sales, general manager international, Myers Tire Supply
(Akron, Ohio)
• David Shelton, director of industry relations, GITI Tire (USA) Ltd. (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
• Brandy Sielaff, director of human resources and safety, Commercial Tire (Meridian, Idaho)
• Leigh-Ann Stewart, director of health and safety, Kal Tire (Vernon, British Columbia, Canada)
• Jeff Wallick, director of training, K&M Tire (Chicago, Ill.) • Scott Weeden, acting vice president of sales, Barnwell House of Tires (Central Islip, N.Y.)
Election results will be announced in mid-September with the new Board members taking office on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at TIA’s annual meeting during the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show in Las Vegas.