U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, introduced new legislation aimed at supporting tire manufacturers and reducing tire costs for consumers. The proposed bill offers a 30% tax credit to commercial fleets that purchase retreaded tires.

"This 30% credit is designed to help offset part of the retreading costs," Brown explained during a call with reporters.

Johnny McIntosh, senior director of commercial services and retreads at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, highlighted that high-quality tires can be retreaded multiple times, extending their lifespan and offering a good return on investment for commercial fleets. Retreaded tires are mainly used by large trucks, including 18-wheelers, dump trucks, mining vehicles, and delivery trucks, McIntosh added.

However, Brown pointed out that some fleets opt for cheaper, non-retreadable Chinese-made tires, produced in factories that often ignore environmental regulations and may use child and slave labor. This has contributed to the decline in U.S. retreading facilities, from around 3,000 in 1982 to just 500 in 2023.

The Senate bill, titled the Retreaded Truck Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act, has a companion bill in the House of Representatives introduced in May by U.S. Reps. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio-13, and Darin LaHood, R-Illinois-16.

Brown emphasized that the legislation would create and retain jobs in the tire manufacturing sector, particularly in regions such as Akron, Summit County, Stark, Portage, and Medina counties. McIntosh noted that Ohio has about 30 retreading facilities, including four Goodyear sites.

John Rizzo, vice president of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance, remarked that while major employers like Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Continental may not produce all their tires in Akron anymore, they still maintain significant operations in the community.

Paolo Ferrari, CEO of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., expressed support for the legislation, stating that it addresses crucial issues such as job creation, sustainability, and strengthening the domestic supply chain.

Source: Akron Beacon Journal.