TIA, TRIB protest U.S. Postal Service retread contract plans

WASHINGTON (Nov. 24)—Both the Tire Industry Association and the Tire Retread Information Bureau have written the U.S. Postal Service, protesting its plan to award nationwide retread contracts to large retreading technology companies. While the USPS hopes to increase its use of retreaded tires through a national contract, TIA and TRIB are concerned the action could seriously hurt smaller retreaders dependent on local USPS contracts for much of their business. "While it is possible that many of these retreaders will be awarded subcontracts from whichever larger company is awarded the national contract, there is no guarantee of that business for these retreaders," said Becky MacDicken, TIA director of government affairs. Harvey Brodsky, managing director of TRIB, said he hopes to persuade USPS officials to meet with representatives of the retreading industry. USPS officials could not be reached for comment.