David Stevens, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB), told members he expects the retread industry to produce slightly less in 2024 compared to the prior year. But he also thinks this week’s election results could have an affect on the demand for retreads in the future.
Stevens made the remarks during TRIB’s annual member meeting on Nov. 4, the day before the start of the 2024 SEMA Show.
He noted the slight decrease in 2024 would follow three years of growth.
During the meeting, a TRIB member asked how the demand for retreads might be affected by this week’s U.S. presidential election. Stevens pointed to former President Donald Trump’s strong support for tariffs. (In 2018, Trump’s U.S. Trade Representative tacked on a 25% tariff on Chinese products, which included some tires, as well as auto parts. He also advocated for tariffs on steel and other products and has continued to campaign on a pro-tariff message.)
As Stevens noted, past tariffs on new tires “helped retreading.”
He said he didn’t think Vice President Kamala Harris had retreads as a big part of her policy plan.
TRIB Organizational Update
As part of the group’s annual meeting, Stevens also presented a proposal to change the bylaws and expand TRIB's board of directors. The proposal — which was approved — increases the board’s maximum size from 20 members to 30 members.
And with the approval, these nine new members joined the TRIB board:
- Brian Hayes, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
- Scott Kusilek, Bauer Built Inc.
- Brian Mersiowsky, Service Tire Truck Centers Inc.
- Drew Poloni, Continental Tire of the Americas LLC
- Mike Peterson, Best-One Tire
- Charlie Rierson, Snider Tire Inc.
- Jason Smith, Myers Tire Supply
- Al Suacedo, Pomp’s Tire Service Inc.
- Keith Youngblood, Love’s Travel Stops
