Tire Industry Association

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	TIA Contact: Roy Littlefield
February 27, 2006	301-430-7280

TIA Partners with Klinge to Develop
Earthmover Training and Certification Program

Bowie, MD – (February 27, 2006) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced during TIA’s OTR Conference in Orlando, Florida, a partnership with Klinge & Co Pty Ltd of Australia to develop a technician training and certification program. TIA’s Commercial Tire Service (CTS) and Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Programs have certified more than 18,000 personnel in North America. Klinge & Co has a long history in tire service safety and training that began in 1971 when Tom and Dianne Klinge founded the business. Klinge & Co will contribute years of expertise and experience to the development of the Association’s latest educational undertaking.

“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Klinge & Co to create the new Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) Program,” remarked Bob Malerba, TIA President. “Our strategic plan includes the goal to become the worldwide leader in technician education and we believe the release of the ETS Program will help us achieve that goal. By partnering with Klinge, we’ll be able to shorten the time to release the Basic ETS and Certified ETS Programs. And as an added bonus, the global network of the Klinge Group of Companies will permit the TIA OTR Earthmover Training and Certification Program to reach more people in more countries, making those participants in the mining and OTR tire industries safer.”

“TIA is the leader in technician training and certification and we’re excited about the opportunity to work with TIA’s technical and training staff to develop a comprehensive training and safety program for OTR tire technicians,” said Tom Klinge, Klinge & Co Executive Director. “It’s an honor for Klinge & Co to play such an integral role in the development of the materials; and as the sole international distributor of the Certified ETS Program, we pledge to uphold the TIA standards for technician training and certification.”

The Association will begin production of the ETS Program following the OTR Conference and expects to complete the Basic ETS component by the end of 2006.

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TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.

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