USTMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOLDS SPRING MEETING IN WASHINGTON, DC, ADMITS GITI TIRE USA AS 12TH MEMBER COMPANY
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) Board of Directors held its spring meeting in Washington, DC on April 3-4. The Board reviewed progress and plans for major public policy priorities of the Association, and welcomed its 12th member, Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.
The USTMA Board unanimously approved Giti Tire USA’s membership in the Association. Tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S are eligible for USTMA membership. Giti began tire production at its new Richburg, South Carolina facility in October 2017. The company’s U.S. headquarters is in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
The Board also reelected the following members to 3-year terms: Jochen Etzel, Chief Executive Officer, Continental Tire the Americas, LLC; Jon Bellissimo, Vice President, Product Development and Chemical, Americas, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Maureen Kline, Vice President, Public Affairs and Sustainability, Pirelli Tire North America; and Jeff Barna, President, Yokohama Tire Corporation.
The Board’s review of USTMA priority initiatives included NHTSA implementation of the FAST Act tire performance standards and safety-related provisions; the Trump Administration Section 232 steel import tariffs; state unsafe used tire legislation; and a sustainability vision for the industry. The Board also held an all-day strategic planning session to provide direction for a new 3-year strategic plan for the Association, which will be approved at the October meeting.
