It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of Sheila Ikin, the former Director of the UK’s Retread Manufacturers Association, who died aged 78 on Monday July 10 in Braunton, UK after a long illness.
Ikin Remembered for Years of Loyal Service to Retread Industry
Sheila will be remembered for her many years of loyal service to the retreading industry, both as Association Secretary, initially under Brian Lawton and Graham Newland and subsequently under Ian Smith. She became Director of the Association in 1991 when Smith left to join Technic Group.
She stepped down from the Directorship in 2004 to be replaced as Director by the publisher of this magazine, David Wilson, but continued to serve and contribute her valuable expertise as Secretary until her retirement in 2010.
Sheila Ikin served the RMA during a period of significant change for the retreading industry. Along with her predecessors, she played a significant role in the implementation of the ECE 108 and 109 Standards in the UK and hence made a major contribution towards the development of modern retreading in the UK.
Ex-RMA Director Ian Smith commented: “Sheila was a very driven individual. She always had her own opinions on how things should be done but was also very loyal to the cause. She would never fail to get her work delivered both in time and professionally.”
David Wilson, the Publisher of Retreading Business added: “In Sheila Ikin the retreading industry has lost a valuable servant and supporter, the level of whose contribution to the industry was probably not truly recognised in her lifetime. I will always value the professional support she offered to me and will treasure her friendship. I will miss her greatly.”
