Tire Industry Association

What Tire Industry Association does

The Tire Industry Association (TIA), founded in 1921 and headquartered in Bowie, Maryland, is a 501(c)(6) international non-profit trade association representing all segments of the tire industry — manufacturers, dealers, retreaders, recyclers, suppliers, and service technicians — with members in all 50 U.S. states and internationally. Its core product is a portfolio of five standardized technician training and certification programs (ATS, CTS, ETS, FTS, ITS) delivered through the proprietary TIA Online University learning platform and in-person hands-on classes at training academies in Garner, Iowa and Brooksville, Florida. TIA also operates the annual OTR Tire Conference (since 1955) and Global Tire Expo as flagship industry events, alongside advocacy infrastructure including a State Legislative Interactive Map tracking 250+ critical bills, weekly federal legislative email updates, position papers, the bipartisan TirePAC political action committee, and a Right-to-Repair Reporting System. Membership is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by CEO Richard "Dick" Gust.

TIA's revenue model rests on four streams: recurring membership dues across multiple tiers, recurring training and certification program fees (including Spanish-language CTS as of 2025), one-time event registration and sponsorship fees (notably the OTR Conference and Global Tire Expo), and one-time publication and reference material sales through its online store. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, reaching members through the website, social channels, industry events, and partnerships with state tire dealer associations and the Auto Care Association. New member-benefit products announced in 2025 include a Federated Insurance product liability program for retreaders and a Tire Industry Scholarship program administered through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, partially funded by a five-year $25,000 pledge from Kumho Tire U.S.A.

Name

Tire Industry Association

Legal name

Tire Industry Association

Website

https://tireindustry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tire Industry Association (TIA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1921 that provides technician training and certification, federal and state advocacy, and industry events for tire dealers, retreaders, manufacturers, recyclers, and suppliers across all 50 U.S. states and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990), Tire Dealers (441340), Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) (326211), Tire Retreading (326212), Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers (42313), All Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance (811198)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial/Fleet Tire Sales & Service (Truck/Bus/OTR) (TLAKADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail Tire Sales & Installation (Consumer) (TLAKADAA), Tire & Wheel Services (Mount/Balance/Alignment) (TLAKAAAD), Retread & Tire Recapping Manufacturing (IMANAKAK), Testing, Inspection, Certification & Commissioning (TICx) Technical Services (BPAHAIAL)

Keywords

• Tire technician training
• Tire industry certification
• Automotive tire service
• Commercial tire service
• Tire industry advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to professional development, tire technician training, networking, government advocacy, and member benefit programs
2. Training and Certification Programs: Revenue from Automotive Tire Service (ATS), Commercial Tire Service (CTS), Earthmover Tire Service (ETS), Farm Tire Service (FTS), and Industrial Tire Service (ITS) training programs and certifications
3. Events and Conferences: Registration fees for OTR Tire Conference, sponsorship fees, and exhibition/tabletop display fees
4. Publications and Online Store: Sale of TIA publications, reference materials, and industry resources through the online store

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TIA is an international non-profit trade association that delivers technical training and certification programs for tire service technicians across five categories (Automotive Tire Service, Commercial Tire Service, Earthmover Tire Service, Farm Tire Service, Industrial Tire Service), hosts the annual OTR Tire Conference and Global Tire Expo, and provides government advocacy, legislative monitoring, and member benefit programs (including a Right-to-Repair Reporting System and TirePAC) for the tire industry. Members include tire dealers, retreaders, manufacturers, recyclers, and suppliers in all 50 U.S. states and globally.

Product overview

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) operates as a unified platform offering a comprehensive portfolio of training, certification, advocacy, and industry resources for the tire and automotive service industry. The core offerings include five distinct technician training programs (ATS, CTS, ETS, FTS, and ITS) delivered through in-person hands-on sessions and the TIA Online University platform. TIA also organizes the annual OTR Tire Conference and Global Tire Expo as flagship industry events. The organization provides advocacy services including the State Legislative Interactive Map, Weekly Legislative Updates, Position Papers, TirePAC, and a Right-to-Repair Reporting System. Additional offerings include consumer safety education materials, reference documentation (OSHA charts, weight charts, glossaries), dealer/trainer directories, and scholarship programs administered through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Training Training and certification program for professional passenger and light truck tire technicians, available at multiple levels (200-Level Basic through 400-Level Advanced Instructor). Designed for tire dealership service staff and independent technicians.
• Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Training Training and certification program for professional commercial tire technicians servicing medium and heavy-duty vehicles, available in English and Spanish at multiple levels.
• Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) Training Hands-on training program for professional OTR (off-the-road) tire technicians covering safety procedures and specialized techniques for servicing large earthmover tires used in mining and construction.
• Farm Tire Service (FTS) Training Training program covering safety guidelines for servicing farm, agricultural and construction tire and wheel assemblies, including 11 modules on demount, mount, inflate procedures and liquid ballast installation.
• Industrial Tire Service (ITS) Training Training program for technicians servicing industrial tires, providing specialized instruction for handling industrial tire and wheel assemblies such as those used in material handling and warehousing equipment.
• TIA Online University Digital learning management platform providing online access to TIA training programs including Basic ATS, CTS, FTS, and ITS courses with video, workbook, and exam components, accessible 24/7.
• OTR Tire Conference Annual premier global event for the earthmover, construction, and OTR tire industry featuring educational sessions, networking opportunities, tabletop displays, and leisure activities. Held annually since 1955.
• Global Tire Expo (GTE) Industry trade event showcasing tire industry products, technologies, and services to dealers, retreaders, manufacturers, and suppliers.
• Right-to-Repair Reporting System Online reporting platform enabling shop owners and technicians to report repair restrictions and diagnostic access issues with vehicles, documenting challenges faced by independent auto service providers for use in TIA's federal Right to Repair advocacy.
• State Legislative Interactive Map Interactive web tool allowing members to search and track state legislation impacting tire dealers and the tire industry, with over 250 critical bills monitored.
• Weekly Legislative Updates Weekly electronic newsletter providing in-depth analysis of current federal legislation and proposed regulations impacting the tire industry, distributed to members.
• Find a Certified Dealer Directory Online directory helping consumers locate certified tire dealers who have completed TIA training programs.
• Find a Certified Trainer Directory Directory connecting tire industry professionals with certified TIA trainers for in-person training programs and professional development.
• Position Papers Annual policy documents outlining federal legislative priorities and positions on key issues affecting the tire industry, prepared by TIA's Government Affairs Committee and approved by the Board.
• TirePAC Bipartisan political action committee enabling TIA members to contribute to and support candidates who advocate for tire industry interests in Congress.
• Tire Industry Scholarship Scholarship program administered through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, awarding $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing tire and automotive service education or trade programs.
• Consumer Safety Education Educational video series and resources for consumers covering tire inspection, selection, registration, repair, TPMS, and winter tire usage, designed to promote proper tire maintenance.
• Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) Statement of Work Comprehensive Statement of Work document on Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA), a material produced from recycled tires, covering applications in roads, retaining walls/bridge abutments, and stormwater management for civil engineering projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tracked several thousand industry-related bills over the years, reports on more than 250 considered critical via Interactive Map
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026Partnership to administer the TIA scholarship program. The program awards $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing education or trade programs related to the tire and automotive service industry. Kumho Tire U.S.A. pledged $25,000 over five years to this scholarship fund.
• Federated InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpanded partnership to provide insurance protection for tire retreaders, offering product liability insurance as a TIA member benefit.
• Auto Care AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative advocacy partner on Right to Repair initiatives, with Bill Hanvey (President and CEO) participating in TIA's Right to Repair Summit to advance bipartisan federal right-to-repair legislation.
• State Tire Dealer AssociationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with state tire dealer associations, tire manufacturers, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, and related industry associations to track and respond to state legislation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Auto Care Association: National trade association representing the entire auto care industry, including parts manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. Directly comparable to TIA as a peer trade association with overlapping member base (independent service shops, aftermarket suppliers) and joint Right-to-Repair advocacy efforts.
• U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA): Trade association representing tire manufacturers operating in the U.S. Highly comparable to TIA as the manufacturing-segment counterpart within the tire industry value chain; both organizations collaborate on legislation, sustainability, and industry data.
• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE): Independent nonprofit that certifies automotive technicians across multiple specialties. Comparable to TIA as a certification-focused organization with technician credentialing, recertification exams, and employer-recognized credentials.
• Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB): Nonprofit trade association dedicated specifically to tire retreading and repair. Highly comparable to TIA as a tire-industry association representing a subset of TIA's membership (retreaders), focused on technical and safety standards.

Broad incumbents

• Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA): Trade association for the automotive specialty equipment industry, hosting the annual SEMA Show. Comparable to TIA as a peer trade body running major industry events and government affairs programs, though focused on aftermarket parts rather than tire service.
• American Trucking Associations (ATA):
• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): Trade association representing franchised new-car and truck dealers. Comparable to TIA as a peer automotive trade body with strong federal advocacy apparatus and member services, though focused on vehicle sales rather than tire service.

Regional players

• Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) / Tire Industry Association of Canada: Cross-border tire and rubber trade association primarily serving the Canadian market. Comparable to TIA as a tire-industry trade body, though operating in a different geography with its own training and advocacy programs.

Emerging players

• Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC): Nonprofit that certifies technicians on outdoor power equipment and small engines. Comparable to TIA as a small, certification-driven trade association serving a niche technician population with standardized training programs.

Others

• International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC): Biennial tire manufacturing and technology conference/expo serving the global tire industry. Comparable to TIA's OTR Tire Conference and Global Tire Expo as an industry gathering, though focused on manufacturing technology rather than service technician training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thetireindustry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/tiresafetystartshere
• Facebookfacebook.com/tireindustry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tire-industry-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/tireindustryassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tire Industry Association