Ian Andrews steps into the role of NTDA Chief Executive at a precarious moment for the UK tyre industry, where skills shortages, demographic shifts and mounting environmental pressures threaten to outpace the sector’s readiness. New to tyres but not to membership organisations, Andrews must prove his ability to turn fresh perspective into actionable solutions bridging gaps in recruitment, diversity and sustainability while convincing members that the nearly century-old association can adapt quickly enough to safeguard its relevance.

Ian Andrews, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), has embarked on a mission to address urgent challenges within the UK tyre sector, undertaking a comprehensive strategy to tackle recruitment issues, enhance member engagement, promote collaboration and advance environmental sustainability.

Coming from two decades of senior leadership in membership-based organisations but new to the tyre industry itself, Andrews brings a fresh perspective combined with seasoned leadership skills to the nearly 100-year-old trade association.

Upon assuming his role, Andrews emphasised a grounded approach focused on learning directly from NTDA members. “My immediate priorities are to understand the challenges and opportunities that face the tyre sector here in UK, principally, but globally as well,” he shared.

Approaching the role without preconceived notions, he aims to listen and respond to member feedback. Early indications point to recruitment and careers as pressing issues. “Careers and recruitment seem to be one of the early areas of work that we need to focus on. There are significant recruitment issues here in UK, not just in tyres but across the whole motor vehicle sector,” said Andrews during the exclusive interview with Tyre Trends.

TACKLING GAPS

The UK tyre sector faces a looming demographic shift with a substantial number of experienced professionals expected to retire over the next decade, risking a critical loss of institutional knowledge and technical skills.

Andrews warned, “The sector has got a significant number of people who will retire in the next 10 years. So there’ll be a significant loss of knowledge and skills.”

While larger companies have training and HR departments to manage recruitment and development efforts, smaller businesses face a heavier burden. “They are doing it themselves, and if you’re employing somebody new, then it’s a huge commitment to train and develop that person until they start generating revenue and making a return on the investment,” he explained.

Recognising the sector’s traditionally male-dominated nature, Andrews stressed the imperative of building a more diverse workforce. “We need to look at getting a better and more diverse workforce. Moreover, any business should be reflective of the community it’s working in. If you’re in an ethnically diverse community, your workforce will be best when it’s ethnically diverse,” he noted.

Yet he acknowledged the cultural shift required will take time and that’s not going to happen overnight.

Furthermore, Brexit has complicated recruitment by reducing access to talent from Europe, shifting the focus predominantly to UK-based recruitment. “Most of the tyre sector focus is on UK recruitment, perhaps more so now after Brexit,” Andrews noted.

Despite these constraints, his message was clear: “If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll end up with what we’ve always had. So we need to look at doing different things. Reaching different groups of people.”

To address the skills and professionalism gap, NTDA has expanded its tyre technician licensing schemes significantly. Andrews reported robust uptake with over 16,000 technicians licensed by the NTDA.

This growth is particularly notable in the past two years. Acknowledging the specialised skills needed in emerging technologies, he highlighted the introduction of licensing for electric vehicle tyre (EV) technicians. “The whole electric vehicle is bringing a new plethora of challenges and opportunities. It’s a different skill set. Everything is different in EVs,” he said.

ENGAGING MEMBERS

Member engagement and retention stand as foundational pillars for Andrews’s leadership as well. He aims to increase members’ awareness of

NTDA’s benefits and encourage their active participation. “Often, members pay their membership fee but don’t really explore all the member benefits,” he observed.

Plans include surveying members on their benefit awareness and usefulness while exploring additional services that may be introduced. To foster greater connection, Andrews is looking at enhancing local engagement through regional events across UK, alongside leveraging digital platforms.

He mentioned, “We run large national events in October, including our National Tire Conference and National Tire Awards, which are very well supported. But we need to explore how else we can engage with members on a more local basis for physical events but also on a digital basis.”

His previous experience includes organising half-day digital forums with speakers and interactive participation, offering participants the flexibility to attend live or watch recorded sessions later.

Collaboration within the sector forms a cornerstone of Andrews’s strategic outlook. While mindful and cautious of anti-competitive regulations, he believes substantial benefits can come from sharing resources and best practices, especially on recruitment and sustainability challenges.

“There’s always greater advantage in collaboration than there is in competition. Who is doing it well? What are they willing to share? What resources do they have that might be made more widely available?” he asserted.

At the same time, he acknowledged the necessity of protecting commercially sensitive information: “There will always be things that are commercially sensitive and need to be kept such, but that’s fine. Let’s collaborate on the 90 percent that isn’t commercially sensitive and keep the 10 percent that is.”

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Environmental stewardship and sustainability have emerged prominently on the NTDA agenda. Andrews described active engagement with the UK Environment Agency regarding the management of end-of-life tyres.

“We’re engaged with the agency that is responsible for where end-of-life tyres end up, making sure that they end up in the right place at the right time and don’t clog up our rivers, canals and green spaces,” he stated.

Growing government interest in tyre runoff impacting watercourses may further intensify oversight. “There’s government interest in where runoff from tyres is ending up in the water courses,” Andrews noted, emphasising the importance of proactive dialogue. “With all aspects of working with government, it’s about getting to them before they get to you.”

He committed to openness and transparency if issues arise, stating, “If there’s an issue, then be upfront and open that there’s an issue and we’re working on it and there is a solution.”

Looking to the future, Andrews identified his plans for NTDA’s next three to five years that include member growth, recruitment and environmental awareness. “Internally, it is driving member engagement and member value and therefore driving up member growth,” he shared.

Externally, recruitment and environmental matters are key concerns. Noting that larger companies typically have sustainability specialists, Andrews highlighted the need to support smaller businesses struggling to navigate sustainability practices. “Helping the whole sector regardless of the size of the business is important,” he said.

Throughout the interview, Andrews repeatedly underscored the fundamental role of the tyre industry in public health and safety. “The tyre sector is fundamentally about health, safety and well-being,” he emphasised.

“You wouldn’t put your most precious things anywhere without some assurance that they’re going to be safe. Let’s not put our partners, children, parents into vehicles without some assurance that the tyres are going to do the job that’s expected of them,” he asserted.

Based in Halesbury, Buckinghamshire, Andrews expressed enthusiasm for leading the NTDA forward. While new to tyres, he is confident in his ability to learn quickly with the board and executive council’s support. “The tyre stuff I will learn. When I joined the BPCA, I knew nothing about pest control. Now I’d like to think the same will be true of tyres. It’s all learnable,” he said.

He also stressed his readiness to bring expert colleagues to discussions, for example, when facing government ministers, to ensure the expertise needed is present.

As he takes charge of NTDA during a time of transformation, Andrews seeks to position the association as the collective voice of the tyre sector, delivering professional standards and fostering a collaborative, diverse and sustainable industry that prioritises safety and well-being.

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The Global Data Service Organisation for Tyres and Automotive Components (GDSO) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the RAIN Alliance, a move designed to accelerate the harmonisation of electronic tyre identification and support broader digitalisation throughout the international tyre value chain. This agreement formalises a mutual commitment to advancing interoperable, scalable and globally consistent standards that can be adopted across the sector.

GDSO is responsible for establishing and promoting global data standards for tyres, enabling comprehensive lifecycle applications that serve a diverse group of stakeholders – from manufacturers and logistics providers to fleet managers, recyclers and regulatory bodies. The RAIN Alliance, in parallel, champions the widespread implementation of RAIN RFID technology within a framework that is open, standards-based and interoperable.

The growing importance of electronic tyre identification is underscored by its role in enabling traceability, meeting regulatory requirements, advancing circular economy goals and improving operational performance. Within existing standardisation frameworks, embedded RAIN RFID technology is currently the sole passive data carrier capable of supporting item-level traceability across the full lifespan of a tyre. This partnership seeks to align data standardisation efforts with the underlying identification technologies, thereby reinforcing the ecosystem necessary for reliable and scalable digital identification solutions worldwide.

Although GDSO acknowledges the established position and technical maturity of RAIN RFID, the organisation maintains a technology-agnostic stance. Its primary focus remains on developing robust and adaptable global data standards that foster an inclusive and resilient identification ecosystem. Such an approach supports ongoing innovation and ensures that all actors across the tyre value chain can participate effectively, regardless of future technological shifts.

Through this alliance, GDSO and the RAIN Alliance intend to drive globally aligned standards, enhance system interoperability, support digital use cases throughout the product lifecycle and contribute meaningfully to sustainability and circularity targets. This partnership reflects a shared strategic vision to strengthen the digital infrastructure underpinning the tyre industry.

Riccardo Giovannotti, Secretary General, GDSO, said, “I’m pleased to share that GDSO has signed a collaboration MoU with RAIN Alliance. The collaboration is grounded in a shared commitment to industry-wide standards and to advancing digitalisation across the tyre value chain. As the organisation leading the definition and deployment of global data standards for tyres, GDSO focuses on enabling cradle-to-grave use cases through interoperable and scalable solutions. Within today’s standardisation landscape, the embedded RAIN RFID (i.e. passive RFID) is currently the only data carrier standardised and technically capable of supporting item-level identification across the full tyre lifecycle, which makes this collaboration both relevant and timely.”

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A new milestone in agricultural tyre technology has been achieved through the partnership of Titan International, Inc. and Cerebrum Sensor Technologies, Inc. Together, they have unveiled Titan Pressure Perfect (P2), a smart sensor system designed to transform how farm tyres perform and communicate. This system marks the emergence of a broader category known as Intelligent Tyre Solutions (iTS), developed jointly by the two companies.

At the core of Pressure Perfect (P2) is real-time monitoring of tyre pressure, temperature and load. This data enables continuous oversight and works seamlessly with onboard inflation systems, allowing automatic pressure adjustments while the vehicle is in motion. Whether shifting from roadway to field or responding to varying load demands, the system can reduce air pressure by as much as half. This flexibility helps lower soil compaction by up to 35 percent and has been linked to potential corn yield increases of four to six percent.

Pressure Perfect is compatible with all Titan and Goodyear Farm Tyre products and integrates with nearly all inflation management systems already in use. By supporting more precise tyre management, it contributes to longer tyre life, improved machine efficiency and reduced environmental impact through less ground disturbance.

The innovation draws on Cerebrum’s licensed portfolio of patented technologies, including advanced sensors, proprietary algorithms and sophisticated software capabilities. This technical foundation sets a new standard for intelligent tyre management in agriculture. While other industry players focus on replicating existing central tyre inflation and tyre pressure monitoring systems, Titan and Cerebrum are advancing a more comprehensive and forward-looking approach. Pressure Perfect reflects Titan’s longstanding engineering heritage and its continued commitment to leading the field through purposeful collaboration and applied innovation.

Dubbing it the ‘Holy Grail’ of innovations, Scott Sloan, Global Ag & LSW Product Manager for Titan, said, “This is the first system of its kind that delivers dynamic inflation management. Load, tyre pressure and temperature data are gathered by a single tyre-mounted sensor and integrated with tyre-industry load-inflation tables in real time. Imagine bringing together Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) technologies, and now they can work together and talk to each other – all without operator intervention."

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Anyline is displaying its AI-powered TireBuddy platform at the 2026 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas (from 3–6 February), demonstrating how it brings objective, digital tyre inspections to automotive retailers. The technology, which standardises tread depth and condition assessments, is used by dealerships, reconditioning centres and independent shops to enhance operational consistency and customer transparency. At Booth 7649N, live demonstrations will show the system’s guided scanning and intuitive workflow, which technicians have adopted for its ability to generate clear, data-backed reports directly in the service bay.

A key adopter includes EchoPark, a national pre-owned vehicle retailer under Sonic Automotive, Inc., which utilises TireBuddy as part of its rigorous 190-point vehicle inspection process across multiple states. The platform provides repeatable measurements that strengthen technical recommendations and build buyer confidence by turning subjective checks into documented insights. Since its 2025 launch, the tool has been implemented by large-scale automotive groups seeking to improve decision-making and efficiency.

Anyline’s exhibition will focus on these real-world applications, showing how digitising tyre inspections creates a more transparent and trustworthy service experience. By replacing visual estimates with precise digital data, TireBuddy helps businesses streamline workflows, empower technicians and ultimately support safer, more reliable vehicle assessments for customers.

Christoph Braunsberger, CEO, Anyline, said, “Our goal with TireBuddy is to equip technicians with the tools they need to make accurate, fast and confident decisions, an important message we’re bringing to the forefront at this year’s NADA Show. By providing objective, AI-powered data, TireBuddy delivers a far clearer path to cost savings, operational efficiency and customer transparency for retailers – benefits that matter at every level of their operation.”

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As urban areas around the world grow increasingly louder, traffic noise has emerged as a critical environmental and public health challenge. Recognised by health authorities as a major risk factor, this pervasive issue extends from European cities to megacities across Asia and Latin America. Continental is addressing this problem by pioneering tyre technologies that significantly reduce rolling noise, thereby contributing to quieter urban environments and enhanced in-vehicle comfort.

The transition to electric mobility has brought tyre noise into sharper focus. With the near-silent operation of electric motors replacing traditional engine sounds, the acoustic contribution from tyres becomes far more prominent, even at moderate city driving speeds. In response, Continental engineers have developed specialised solutions that target noise generation without compromising the safety, durability or performance of the tyre.

One such innovation is the Silent Pattern tread design, featured on models like the EcoContact 7. This technology disrupts the conventional, uniform arrangement of tread blocks that typically creates a rhythmic humming sound on pavement. By intelligently varying the spacing and angles of these blocks, the pattern breaks up this acoustic consistency. Furthermore, it is tuned to cancel out specific sound frequencies, akin to the principle behind noise-cancelling headphones. This results in a measurable reduction of traffic noise at speeds around 50 kmph, where rolling noise is most perceptible to pedestrians and residents.

For reducing noise inside the vehicle cabin, Continental employs its ContiSilent technology. This involves lining the inside of the tyre with a lightweight polyurethane foam that absorbs vibrations caused by the tyre’s contact with the road. By dampening these air vibrations, the technology can cut perceived in-cabin rolling noise by up to nine decibels – a reduction the human ear experiences as nearly halving the volume. This substantial increase in acoustic comfort is integrated into various product lines, including high-performance summer tyres, without affecting driving dynamics or efficiency.

The company’s commitment to low-noise mobility spans multiple vehicle segments. From the Conti Urban NXT for city buses to passenger car tyres like the EcoContact 6 Q and van tyres such as the VanContact A/S Eco, these products are designed to meet stringent noise standards. Consumers can readily identify these quieter options through regulatory labels, like the EU tyre label, which provides clear decibel ratings for external rolling noise. Through these continuous advancements in tread design and sound-dampening materials, Continental is systematically working to diminish the acoustic footprint of road traffic.

According to Achillefs Tsotras, head of Continental’s Tyre-Vehicle Interaction department, “Noise, especially traffic noise from cars, buses and delivery vehicles, is a major burden for people and the environment. With tyre technologies like ContiSilent and innovative tread designs, we are actively reducing rolling noise without compromising safety. This makes every ride noticeably quieter, benefiting drivers, pedestrians, residents and the environment alike.”

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