Tire Industry Association

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Roy Littlefield
June 6, 2003	(301) 430-7280

TIA Prepares Launch of Web-Based Training with
Ground-Breaking Basic Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Program

Administrative Tracking Capability Enhances ATS Program Benefits

BOWIE, MD (June 6, 2003) – The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced today that its new Basic Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Training & Certificate Program is on target to launch this summer as planned. This innovative web-based training for new hires and experienced tire service technicians is unprecedented in the industry.

"Basic ATS is, of itself, an exceptional program for ensuring that passenger and light truck tire service technicians are trained to follow the correct guidelines and procedures," says TIA President Tom Raben. "We’re very excited about the web-based aspect that takes it to another level by making this training affordable, accessible and efficient for our retail tire dealer members and their personnel."

In the event of an accident, the best protection for a tire dealer is documented proof of training for the technician who performed the service. Basic ATS is designed to meet that need for the more than 100,000 passenger and light truck tire service technicians working in more than 40,000 retail dealerships in North America alone.

TIA developed Basic ATS with the assistance of two focus groups comprised of large and small independent tire dealers from the United States and Canada. These volunteers offered insight about their need for different levels of training for new hires and experienced technicians, and their involvement helped refine the ATS model. Since Internet access is becoming more common in retail tire operations, Basic ATS was ultimately designed as a web-based program to be administered in-house and without the hassle of extensive paperwork.

TIA turned to Delphi Integrated Service Solutions (ISS), the training division of Delphi Automotive, to solve the problem of dial-up connections that limit a technician’s ability to participate online. Delphi’s advanced technology Interactive Compact Disc (ICD) eliminates the need for time-consuming downloads of the Basic ATS training modules. Rather, with just a 28k modem, the Internet connection "directs," from the ICD, which video or interactive exercise that should be on the screen during training.

To further enhance the Basic ATS Program, the web-based component includes a complete database management system that allows company administrators to monitor and download technician activity. A 12-month "unlimited" access subscription to the web-based portion of Basic ATS is included in every package, so each location with a subscription can train technicians as many times as necessary.

"With the launch of TIA’s Basic ATS Program, we are addressing the most pressing training need in the industry," says Kevin Rohlwing, TIA Senior Vice President of Education & Training. "Technicians can participate in the Program and receive immediate documentation of participation or successful completion. Employee turnover is no longer an issue because our members will have a fixed cost for passenger and light truck tire and wheel service technicians, regardless of how many they train."

The Basic ATS self-study format will be available in VHS and DVD with a technician workbook. It includes the ICD to gain access to the video and high bandwidth exercises.

For more information on the Basic ATS Program, e-mail your request and complete mailing address to cmarnett@tireindustry.org or call 800-426-8835.

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. TIA was formed by the July 2002 merger of the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). The Association has offices in Bowie, Maryland, and Louisville, Kentucky.

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