A voice for the tyre industry

25/02/2016

We take a look at the Irish Tyre Industry Association – an important trade association representing members with interests in the tyre industry. Those represented by the ITIA include manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, recyclers and equipment suppliers to the tyre trade in Ireland.

The Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) represents the tyre industry by making consumers aware of the benefits of using its members. It also makes representations to the government and other relevant organisations on key issues on behalf of members.

A comprehensive set of member benefits – including the ITIA Insurance Scheme, The ITIA Credit Card Scheme, a Health & Safety Statement Template, Government lobbying, liaising with relevant authorities such as the Department of the Environment, and Road Safety Week (in association with the RSA) - makes joining the ITIA a move which can save tyre businesses money and help them keep their costs down.

The Irish Tyre Industry Association works as a voluntary executive council committee which is representative of a cross section of the industry. This council holds monthly meetings, while a number of sub committees have also been established to deal in greater detail with areas of particular concern to members.

Using the feedback gathered, the ITIA offers key advice and support to members to provide them with the tools they need to best deal with issues affecting their business.

The Irish Tyre Industry Association was formed in 1998 to unite all sectors of the tyre industry – including everybody from manufacturers, importers and remoulders to wholesalers, retailers and equipment suppliers - under a single umbrella.

According to the Association’s website, they represent a unique voice within the tyre industry – and indeed the motor trade in general: “We are unique in European terms in that we have one only association to represent manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, remoulders and equipment suppliers. Consequently we have broader objectives, such as interceding with government and keeping our members informed of EU legislation and how it may affect them.”

For any motorist, picking a reputable tyre garage is of paramount importance. At the end of the day, tyres are arguably the most important part of a vehicle – the only thing separating the car, van or truck from the road. Quality tyres are an absolutely vital consideration and dealing with members of the ITIA makes perfect sense.

Using an ITIA member for tyre solutions will give customers peace of mind to know they are dealing with an experienced, reputable, informed and professional business. Members are well versed in all current tyre safety knowledge and best practise in tyre repairs and fitting, which can be passed on to the motorist.

To become a member of the Irish Tyre Industry Association, people in the industry can visit the association’s website – www.itia.ie – and either print off a membership form and return it by post, request membership information, or make contact by phone or email.

Speaking on the ITIA website, Association president Kevin Farrell highlights the need for regulation of the tyre industry. “This year has seen three fatalities for people working with tyres. Sadly this highlights the need for anyone handling or repairing tyres to be trained and skilled to do so safely,” he notes.

“Our accreditation programme is the first stage in making a tyre fitter’s job a trade, in the same way that for example an electrician’s is. This urgently needs to be pushed forward. We are calling on all the relevant authorities to follow our licensing initiative and make it mandatory for anyone working with tyres to have accreditation.  Tyres have become a technical product to fit and repair.  Those working with them must be subjected to an independent adjudication of their skills and suitability to do so, or be legally required to use a fitter who is accredited. 

“This shouldn’t be exclusively tyre shops, it must be incumbent on anyone be they hauliers or farmers to  work to industry best practise and make sure their tyres are only handled by trained professionals.”

As part of its drive for regulation, ITIA members are getting their tyre technicians accredited to help raise standards in the tyre industry. The ITIA accreditation programme aims to set the legitimate trade apart from the black economy; they believe that this accreditation programme is the first, but vital step, towards bringing much-needed regulation into our industry.

The ITIA accreditation programme is independently delivered and accessed by the IMI, which is a not for profit organisation and is the governing body for Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA). Accreditation is valid for three years and successful candidates must follow a code of conduct which includes best practise.

The ITIA also believe that part worn tyres represent a real safety risk and should never be put on vehicles. Furthermore, they are pushing for responsible tyre disposal across Ireland in keeping with the industry’s environmental responsibilities.

Taken from Irish Trucker & Light Commercials magazine, Vol 18 No 4, June 2015