Mar 3 2006
After nearly 11 years in its tiny office, the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) has moved into larger quarters.
“The new, considerably more spacious office will allow TRIB to be more efficient in responding to the overwhelming number of requests for information, guidance and assistance that it receives daily - even on weekends,” says TRIB Managing Director Harvey Brodsky.
TRIB is a non-profit, member-supported industry association dedicated to the recycling of tires through retreading and repairing, and to promoting proper tire maintenance for all tires.
“We truly were bursting at the seams,” he says referring to TRIB’s old, cramped office. “Every possible space was occupied. We were so overcrowded that when we had visitors, they’d have to stand outside. We were at the point that you had to be a contortionist just to be able to get the filing cabinets.”
For more than 30 years, TRIB has served as the voice of the entire retread industry, continually working hard to promote this industry and to enhance the image of retreaded tires and tire repairing. TRIB also functions as a resource for the media on subjects related to tire maintenance, repair, retreading and recycling.
With the costs of operating trucks and equipment increasing, fleets and owner operators are looking for ways to reduce expenses, Brodsky observes. More and more truckers are coming to the realization that retreaded tires deliver the best possible return on an investment in tires.
“Retreading is actually a manufacturing process that allows the continued use of a tire,” explains Brodsky. “The more retreads obtained from a tire casing, the lower the overall tire costs.”
“Retreaded tires are a lot less expensive than new tires - up to 50% less,” he goes on. “The savings can be significant since for most commercial vehicle fleets tires represent the second largest item in their operating budget, right after fuel expenses. And the more times a tire is retreaded, the lower the cost-per-mile of operation.”
What’s more, points out Brodsky, retreading is environmentally responsible as it actively contributes to helping conserve valuable finite natural resources needed to manufacture tires. For every retread produced, one less new tire needs to be manufactured.
“Every major commercial tire manufacturer designs and engineers its tires with robust casings for several retreading lives, he notes. “To discard a worn tire without retreading is to lose much of a tire’s value because the most expensive part of a tire is the casing. And retreaded tires keep getting better and better with continuous improvements in quality, durability and reliability.”
Because what goes into the manufacture of quality retreaded tires is far more complex and sophisticated than most people imagine, TRIB would be happy to arrange a tour of a retread plant for anyone who is interested, Brodsky offers. “Just let us know.”