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Smithers, TANA Join Forces to Train Tire Dealers, Manufacturers

3 May 1999

Smithers, TANA Join Forces to Train Tire Dealers, Manufacturers

    AKRON, Ohio, May 3 -- Smithers Scientific Services, Inc. and
the Tire Association of North America have signed an agreement to provide a
comprehensive training program for tire dealers and tire manufacturers.
    J. Michael Hochschwender, president and CEO of Smithers, and David E.
Poisson, executive vice president and general counsel of TANA, said they "have
come to terms on an exclusive three-year agreement that will...benefit the
whole tire industry."
    The training curriculum will range from the basics of tire mounting and
demounting to the more complex variations of tire manufacturing process and
construction, according to the agreement.  Courses will be offered directly to
independent tire dealers and their employees, as well as to tire manufacturing
firms.
    Both TANA and Smithers conducted an extensive survey to confirm there is a
significant demand for training courses in the tire industry, both from a
retail and manufacturing standpoint.
    "Our members consistently rate training as being the number one service
they want from our organization," said Jim Shook, president of TANA.  "Any
tire dealer will tell you that training is a top priority and this agreement
will provide training solutions for the entire industry."
    Smithers personnel, with the appropriate technical or industry experience,
will be the course instructors.
    "This is an excellent opportunity to utilize both our business and
technical tire industry expertise to further extend our existing lines of
business with a focus on technology, sales, marketing and dealer operations,"
Mr. Hochschwender said.
    Smithers is currently in the process of analyzing all of the input from
the survey to formulate the first group of training modules.  The program is
expected to be operational the second half of this year.
    Cost and funding details for the program were not disclosed.  Tire
manufacturers will be invited to participate through corporate sponsorships.
    Smithers Scientific Services is an independent testing, research and
consulting firm serving an international client base in the tire, automotive,
rubber, elastomeric, plastics, chemicals, aerospace and medical goods
industries.  Smithers' web site is http://www.smithers-scientific.com .
    TANA is a 78-year-old Virginia-based trade group representing all sectors
of the North American replacement tire market.  TANA may be accessed on the
Internet at http://www.tana.net .