World Trade Association (WTA) has hired Peter Ahumada, formerly of Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Wingfoot Commercial, as VP in charge of their OTR tire operations. Peter Ahumada has spent the last 37 years in OTR tire sales, service, and training for Goodyear Tire & Rubber. He was responsible for tire sales and service as Regional Manager in the Caribbean and both Central/South America for 18 years. In addition, he was also Area Manager in Southeast Asia, covering 22 countries, for OTR tires from 1982 through 1985. Peter, peteahwta@aol.com , will be located in WTA's headquarters (800-444-5001/954-755-2401) in Coral Springs, Florida.

Gilbert Ray, formerly Senior Field Engineer with Goodyear, Southeast Region, has joined WTA to better service their customers. Gilbert will be available to visit sites to determine proper product applications for WTA's Xtreme Products. He will evaluate operating conditions, equipment visual inspections, air pressure checks, road conditions, speeds, loads, and do an in depth tire failure analysis. The tire analysis will determine if WTA should do an in depth TMPH study and a tire temperature study.

CORAL SPRINGS, FL (May 1, 2007) – World Trade Association (WTA), a leading independent U.S. tire wholesaler, recently completed its sixth auditing trip to China to ensure the highest quality of production for its Xtreme line of OTR tires.

WTA’s auditing team includes former Goodyear engineers with very specific areas of expertise; a compounding specialist, design specialist and plant manager, as well as Jim DeChene, Vice President of WTA. The team recently spent two weeks investigating Chinese manufacturing plants to provide current and future production of both bias and radial OTR tires, in what may be the most thorough examination ever done by an OTR tire company.

“Our frequent and extensive auditing is proof of our commitment to the highest level of quality for all of our OTR tire brands,” said DeChene. “WTA’s line of OTR tires, Xtreme Force and Xtreme Load, are the perfect solution for companies looking for a steady supply of quality OTR tires in a market where supply is limited.”

WTA’s audit team spent 12 hours each day for two weeks investigating seven different plants in China. The team checked every aspect of production, including the plants’ overall conditions, raw materials, formulations, production methods and the experience level of its technicians.

WTA has completed six auditing missions in China in just 15 months to guarantee that their Xtreme line of OTR tires is the best quality coming out of China.

Major Brand Quality Tires
“Our goal is to provide a line of OTR tires that will compete with the majors,” DeChene said. “We back our tires with a WTA warranty and also provide $5 million of international and $6 million of domestic product liability insurance.”

WTA’s high standards of production, on time deliveries, competitive prices and product warranty and liability insurance make its Xtreme brand an effective option for mining, construction and industrial companies that need a reliable one-stop shop for OTR tires .

Field Service Expertise
The company also provides servicing for its full line of products and recently added to its team a Senior Field Service Engineer and an OTR Specialist, both recently retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “We recognize the value our Field Service team will provide our customers. It’s a department we will continue to expand and grow as we grow,” said DeChene.

For more information, end-users and servicing dealers can contact Jim DeChene of World Trade Association at 1-800-444-5001 or via e-mail at jimdwta@aol.com.

ABOUT WTA
Established in 1998, World Trade Association (WTA) is a leading U.S. importer/exporter of commercial and passenger vehicle tires and related automotive products. WTA is a one-stop source for OTR tires with a growing network of servicing dealers worldwide.
WTA is the manufacturer of OTR tire brands, Xtreme Force and Xtreme Load.
WTA's corporate headquarters are located at 11711 NW 39th St., Coral Springs, FL 33065; Phone: (800) 444-5001; Fax: (954) 755-2506; Internet: www.wtahome.com.