RAC Annual Meeting Seats New Chairman

Deftly combining business with pleasure, the RAC held its 86th annual General Meeting and Golf Tournament at the Lionhead Golf and Country Club in Brampton, Ontario, this past June.

The RAC is the national trade association for Canadian rubber manufacturers and distributors of rubber goods, which naturally includes every aspect of tires, from raw materials to finished product and distribution.

The dinner was opened by Glenn Maidment, RAC president. His opening remarks focused on several of the RAC’s accomplishments in 2005, including the Rubber Sector Safety Group, which is committed to a healthy and safe workplace; the Tire Stewardship Initiatives, to deal with the many issues surrounding scrap tires; the Be Tire Smart Campaign, a national public education campaign designed to encourage Canadian motorists to adopt good tire maintenance practices; a new Web site (www.rubberassociation.ca); and an executive seminar on China and how it will affect the Canadian rubber industry in the future.

He then introduced James Coulter, president of Goodyear Canada and the outgoing chairman of the RAC. Coulter once again stressed the initiatives that Maidment outlined, and the need for the RAC to continue its work on a full-scale basis. “It is imperative that the RAC have a strong voice in government,” he said, “so that we can concentrate our energies on the marketplace.”

Following hearty applause and a gift of appreciation from Maidment, Coulter introduced the incoming chairman, Bob Galway, director of finance for Bridgestone/Firestone Canada.

“I’m a relative newcomer to the board,” Galway said in his speech, “but now I can give back to an industry that has been good to me and my family. We have to look at issues like commodity costs, China, and the strong Canadian dollar, which are all things we must overcome. The board is a place we can come together to work on these issues. All of us must deal with common issues, and that’s what this association can do for you, but you need to add your voice.”

Galway later shared his thoughts with Tire News on his new position. “I’m going to support the initiatives and the campaigns we already have underway,” he said. “I want to see a focus on Be Tire Smart, and on the tire stewardship initiatives in British Columbia and Manitoba. We need to deal as an industry with the issues with China, as well.

“Recycling is a huge component, and I think it will expand beyond this industry. Companies will have to deal with ownership of their products with regard to the environment, and waste diversion will become more critical as time goes on.

“I’d also like to see us get back some of our member companies, since they’ve been coming and going. The association is member-driven and diverse, and I think the more people we can bring in, the stronger our common vote will be. That’s what this association is all about.”

If you’re a shop looking to sell summer tires, it’s important to know that customers looking for these tires have very specific needs. Let’s talk about why, before recommending summer tires, you need to fully understand customer performance requirements.

Unlike all-season or all-terrain tires built for diverse driving conditions, UHP summer tires are designed with one priority: dry and wet traction for performance driving. Lateral and longitudinal grip in dry and wet conditions are also important, which is achieved through optimized contact patches, high silica tread compounds and circumferential grooves to channel water. Generally, UHP summer tire tread design features large blocks and fewer grooves for more road contact on dry surfaces. The grooves are designed to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.