Associations
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) Chairman, Peter Johnson, has announced his retirement and stepped down from his duties on Tuesday 28 June at the RMI Board Meeting. Johnson has been RMI Chairman since June 2015, having previously been NFDA Chairman from July 2011.
Diagnostic tool and vehicle technical support brand, Maverick Diagnostics, joined IAAF recently. Established I n1999 as Maverick Technology Ltd, Maverick Diagnostics is an established provider of original dealer diagnostics tools and technical support to the aftermarket in the UK and Europe.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has urged the industry to gear up for change in its ‘Aftermarket for the Future’ conference. Held on 2 December, this year’s conference, headed up by recently appointed chief executive, Mark Field.
The conference saw Field kick off the proceedings by celebrating the hard work the aftermarket has carried out over the course of what has once again been a difficult but rewarding year for the trade, before introducing the first speaker of the day, Quentin Le Hetet from GIPA.
Speaking on behalf of the executive officers of the NTDA, national chairman Martin O’Brien welcomed delegates to the 7th NTDA Tyre Industry Conference (sponsored as it was by GB Tyres (UK) Ltd in association with Linglong Tyres), before updating us all on the continued growth of the association and addressing the subjects of recycling (via a TRA update) and industry training.
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) board elected Keith Jarman, president of AME International in Brooksville, Florida, as secretary on 23 June during its summer board meeting in South Dakota. A TIA Board member for nine of the past 12 years, Jarman’s election places him in line to become the association’s president in 2023-2024. He currently chairs the board’s membership committee. Jarman will begin his year as secretary in November and will move through the various officer positions until he becomes president.
Halfords Autocentres has joined the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), bringing all of its 358 branches into the NTDA network. The NTDA has also confirmed that in line with the ‘Rules of the Association’, Halfords Autocentres will also have two representatives joining the NTDA’s executive council, the governing body of the association.
Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has appointed Mark Field as its new chief executive, succeeding Wendy Williamson who is retiring later this year. Field has worked with the IAAF through the Federation’s PR representative, Impression Communications, for the past nine years and will assume chief executive responsibilities from 1 July 2021. He also has experience working within automotive media, PR and automotive trading groups.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA), which represents the independent garage sector in the UK, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Collison as Chairman effective from March 2021. Collinson succeeds Colin Parlett, who recently stepped down from the role after many years.
On 1 May 2021 new tyre labelling rules take effect across Europe. Now, the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF – the umbrella body for UK tyre associations BTMA, ITMA and NTDA) has published details of its proactive response to the rules and specifically to their implementation in the post-Brexit environment. In short, cross-industry cooperation means the latest information will be available for the market from 1 May. The UK government Department for Transport (DfT) has welcomed the tyre industry’s approach to the implementation of the new tyre labelling regulations since the solution allows the continued flow of labelling information to consumers despite initial regulatory differences between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
“Given the challenges facing businesses and the increasing importance of having a robust digital strategy in place, we are delighted to launch NFDA Engage, a new programme aimed at supporting dealers’ communication activities”, said Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK.
At the start of this year the Borbet Group became a member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The alloy wheel manufacturer shares that its decision to join the ASI as of 1 January 2021 reflects an intention to actively address ecological challenges in the field of sustainable wheel production.
The National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), which represents motorcycle dealers in the UK, is introducing its ‘Safe to Ride’ campaign. The purpose of the campaign, says NMDA head Paddy O’Connell, is to “promote the use of motorcycles as an ideal alternative to public transport.”
The US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has elected two new members to its board. Kumho Tire’s Yong-Sik Shin and Pirelli’s Pietro Berardi were elected during the board’s 29 July virtual meeting. The board also extended the term of current chair Steve McClellan, president, Americas, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, for an additional year through to October 2021.
Marangoni
Maverick Diagnostics
IGA
IAAF
NTDA
TIA
TIF
Borbet Group
USTMA