Aeolus Tyres, one of China’s largest tyre corporations, has become the latest manufacturer to call upon the support of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). As the legislative burden affecting tyre manufacturers continues to grow, Aeolus Tyres is now the fourth manufacturer to join the association this year alone, boosting membership to further record levels.
“We are delighted to welcome Aeolus Tyres to the Association,” comments Alfred Graham, president, ITMA. “In recent years, we have seen a trend towards an ever-increasing number of rules and regulations affecting tyre manufacturers looking to operate within Europe. Against this backdrop, ITMA play a critical role in helping manufacturers such as Aeolus fully understand their responsibilities to operate legally within the region.”
Aeolus Tyres was established in 1965 and is currently one of China’s top 10 tyre corporations. The company’s product range includes tyres for car, truck, off-highway and industrial applications, which are sold in more than 116 countries around the world. It currently holds various quality and environmental standards accreditations including ISO 9001, ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 among others.
By joining ITMA, Aeolus will be provided with a wealth of information regarding the evolving technical and legislative requirements for manufacturers operating within Europe.
ITMA remains the only trade association in Europe to exclusively represent the interests of non-EU based tyre manufacturers. It was established more than 30 years ago when imported tyre brands started to gain a significant share of UK and mainland European replacement market. The association now represents more than 30 tyre brands from its member companies.
According to the Tyre Industry Federation, non-EU sourced tyres now account for more than 50% of all UK replacement tyre sales and some 30% across Europe as a whole. Indeed, over 300 brands of tyres are on sale in European markets sourced from over 45 countries around the world.
“Europe presents a number of attractive opportunities for non-EU based tyre manufacturers, but it is essential that they fully comply with all relevant legislation,” continues Graham. “What’s more, as the regulations continually evolve, it is essential that changes are understood and communicated in a timely fashion so that details can be fed back into manufacturers’ design and production schedules. With ITMA’s assistance, we can help members address these challenges quickly and effectively.”
The Association also has a technical working group, which advises and assists all members with regular technical and legislative updates. ITMA’s members also meet regularly to discuss points of common interest. ITMA is also a founder member of the UK’s Tyre Industry Federation.
