Retreading trends: dealers worry about manufacturers, Bandag - and pricing.(Commercial Tire Dealer)(includes related articles on tonnage report and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co's new products)

There are a lot of trends affecting today's independent truck tire retreaders.

But the far-reaching effect of competition from new tire manufacturers and retread suppliers seems to be uppermost on retreaders' minds.

Michelin North America Inc. is actively marketing its new precure and mold cure processes in the United States. Now both Michelin and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. can offer commercial dealers "cradle-to-grave" tire service.

Can Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS) be far behind?

The company insists that its relationship with Bandag Inc. - BFS owns nine Bandag franchises is on solid ground, even though it also runs 15 Oliver Rubber Co. facilities.

In addition, one independent plant owned by Treadco Inc. uses Bridgestone Corp.'s Oncor mold cure process.

"New tire manufacturers seem to be working on …