USTMA ambassadors to meet with members of Congress

Washington, DC – The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and its member companies are hosting a virtual fly-in June 29 through July 1 to raise awareness about issues important to the U.S. tire manufacturing sector, including jobs, innovative infrastructure solutions, and sustainability. Each of USTMA’s 13 member companies selected a “Tire Ambassador” to bring their industry experience and perspective to meetings with congressional offices.

“Tire manufacturers produce jobs, strengthen the economy and support the safe and sustainable transport of goods across the country,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA President and CEO. “The 2021 Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors are truly the best messengers to explain how their work drives the U.S. economy forward and share powerful examples of their company’s efforts around innovation, sustainability throughout the life cycle of a tire, and community efforts.”

The Tire Ambassador program also reinforces recent efforts to highlight and support sustainable infrastructure opportunities as Congress negotiates a final infrastructure package. In addition to urging Congress to adopt tire and transportation sustainability polices in infrastructure legislation, USTMA also supports provisions in the surface transportation bill, the INVEST in America Act, being considered this week in the House of Representatives.

With 57 facilities in 17 states across the country, U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $148.4 billion dollars and is responsible for more than 284,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and retailing. The industry supports more than 450,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 737,000 jobs nationwide.

USTMA holds briefings to educate and provide more information to members of Congress and their staff about legislative and regulatory issues affecting the U.S. tire manufacturing industry. This year, USTMA is offering congressional offices briefings on resilient infrastructure; emerging tire technologies, including connected tires and non-pneumatic tires and their roles in future mobility; and a behind-the-scenes look at how tires are made – including sourcing raw materials, implementing design considerations, and understanding the manufacturing process.