From Tire Review

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The board of directors of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has approved a plan to restructure the organization to better serve the interests of its membership. The restructuring will result in two separate organizations – one for tire manufacturers and another for elastomer products (EPG) manufacturers.

The tire organization will retain the Rubber Manufacturers Association name and remain in its current Washington, D.C., offices. The new elastomer products group will adopt a new name and will be headquartered in the Midwest.

“RMA will focus its resources on the U.S. tire manufacturing sector, which continues to face a number of public policy challenges specific to this sector,” said RMA president and CEO Charles Cannon. “Meanwhile, EPG executives will be able to focus on re-establishing an entity that will be uniquely designed to focus solely on EPG companies with greater flexibility for growth and a reduced cost model.”

The new elastomer product manufacturer organization will hold a meeting June 9 in Fairlawn, Ohio, for all interested companies to attend. This initial meeting will feature a number of presentations focusing on potential objectives for a new organization, practical business-related topics and will provide a networking opportunity for elastomer product manufacturer executives.  

Each organization will be an independent 501(c)(6) trade association with its own board of directors, officers, budget and management.