Editor:
Rubber and Plastics News' Nov. 12 issue editorial, ``Trade groups taking the consolidation route,'' mischaracterizes a recent Rubber Manufacturers Association decision to combine the management of all industry environmental issues-including scrap tire matters-under one department.
As your editorial correctly notes, the Scrap Tire Management Council has never been an autonomous entity. The STMC functions were housed in the RMA and RMA employees performed the duties to fulfill the association's scrap tire mission. Simply put, it was part of the RMA.
The RMA represents the nation's tire manufacturers on all major public policy issues such as tire safety, taxes, workplace safety and environmental issues, including scrap tires. Rather than segmenting the association and confusing external audiences with the appearance of two organizations, the scrap tire mission will now be executed under the RMA name, rather than the STMC.
By analogy, RPN's masthead reflects all of the diverse activities of your operation. Similarly, the RMA now has all of its operations under a single masthead.
This action does not in any way diminish the commitment of RMA members to address scrap tire issues on all fronts including: legislative, regulatory, public education and market development. By putting scrap tire issues under the RMA banner, our members will be better represented by a trade association that addresses all issues relating to tires from their production through their initial use to their ultimate end-life markets.
Donald P. Shea, president and CEO, Rubber Manufacturers Association