Titan trains 40+ tire technicians with eighth annual TIA Training

Des Moines, IA – Titan International Inc. and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) trained more than 40 technicians from 17 states during the eighth annual Advanced Ag & OTR Service Training in Truro, Iowa. The program delivered 20+ hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of hands‑on work—equipping technicians with Titan-specific wheel and tire handling skills that shorten service times and improve on‑site safety.

An impressive 87% of this year’s students attended for their first ever TIA training, a testament to the growing demand for high-impact, real-world training. “I was blown away, I was learning so much. The skills I walked away with are something I’ll definitely use every day,” said Ralph Reed, a first-time attendee. “And the emphasis on safety was eye-opening. It was great to hear directly from Matt White.”

Since 2017, the Titan sponsored training programs has trained over 550 technicians and has provided them with the opportunity to earn their TIA certification, a mark of distinction in the industry.

This year’s curriculum featured 20+ hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of hands-on training. A variety of expert partners were invited to share their knowledge on both wheels and tires in Ag and OTR applications, including Stellar Industries, AME International and Fuller Brothers. Students rotated through seven interactive stations led by these industry experts, ensuring comprehensive exposure to real-world tools, equipment and practices:

Thomas Griffiths and Tom Formanek led two sessions focused on service trucks. Griffiths explained how to properly spec a truck for Ag and OTR applications, stressing the importance of selecting the right size and considering factors such as calcium chloride or other fluids. Formanek emphasized the value of consistent maintenance, providing instruction on the use of grease and oils, and reinforcing the importance of daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly maintenance logs.

John Melosci and Kelsey Jarman provided comprehensive training on AME’s tool options and safe usage. Melosci discussed AME’s wide variety of tools and highlighted that 60% of tool returns stem from poor maintenance. Jarman demonstrated AME’s cribbing kit and OTR inflation/deflation kit, emphasizing safe and effective practices in tire removal and replacement.

Craig Tinklenberg and Melissa Walker shared their expertise on Fuller Brothers’ non-hazardous, non-toxic tire products. Their session highlighted how these solutions reduce tire management costs while creating a safer, more efficient working environment for technicians.

Pete Kearney and Willie Yeber conducted hands-on training with three- and five-piece OTR wheel stands. Their workshop focused on wheel components and assembly practices, stressing the importance of proper handling to ensure technician safety.

Travis Lamb, Shawn Chubb and Kyle Worley instructed participants on weighing equipment and setting up proper ballast. They covered key tire metrics such as load range, load index and speed index, and demonstrated how machine weight directly impacts correct tire pressure.

Safety training is important not only for the immediate skills boost but also for the long-term impact. “We’re giving technicians the tools and confidence to do their jobs safely, no matter the situation,” said Scott Sloan, Global Ag/LSW Product Manager at Titan “What makes this training unique is the collaboration between Titan, TIA, and our industry partners—it ensures every student leaves here not just more skilled, but more empowered to make safety a priority.”

Titan’s continued investment in training reflects their dedication to advancing technician safety and strengthening industry standards. “Our annual training is a long-term investment in safety and uptime for our customers,” said Kim Boccardi, VP of Marketing at Titan. “By training technicians on both tire and wheel assemblies, best practices, we’re helping reduce safety incidents in the field and improving service levels to our shared end customers—delivering measurable value to dealers.”

By empowering tire service professionals with both knowledge and hands-on experience, Titan and TIA are working together to raise the bar for safety and performance in the tire industry for years to come.