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TDAFA AWARDS PRESS RELEASE

TDAFA Awards recognises tyre industry excellence

5 th June 2009 , Bryanston, Johannesburg

The Tyre Dealer and Fitment Association, a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry organisation, held its Inaugural 2009 Industry Awards function at the Bryanston Country Club recently. This follow up event of the initial concept launch in May 2008 has in 12 months gained substantial momentum, with an excess of 200 guests including VIP’s of Industry and Associated Businesses, Government Officials, MEDIA, and various other Dignitaries. The TDAFA is fast establishing itself as the relevant body with regards to tyre and related issues directly representing some 600 dealers and indirectly a further 1000 dealers.

Acclaimed local comic Dr. Riaad Moosa provided light-hearted punctuation to the proceedings, acting as impromptu Master of Ceremonies and introducing each of the evening’s speakers by inducing applause from the assembled guests.

The RMI’s CEO Jeff Osborne first addressed guests, providing an overview of the automotive industry and the many factors affecting it, including the recessionary economic environment and the hardships being experienced.

Osborne also re-affirmed that whilst the motoring public perspective out there is one of doom and gloom, that, that directly affected only 1 of the 13 associations within the RMI umbrella i.e. The National Auto Dealers Association. Other associations like the TDAFA could not be better aligned now, moreso than ever before, to be raking in the profits generated by the increase in Used Car Sales.

On another positive note, Osborne eluded to some new exciting ventures rolled out by the organisation; The Thethani Customer Care and the Skills Development Initiatives.

TDAFA National Chairman Hermann Erdmann paid tribute to association member dealers, as well as to TDAFA National Director Vishal Premlall, and the RMI‘s CEO Jeff Osborne, for their efforts to help develop the association. “We are here to honour those people who have done special things in our industry,” said Erdmann.

He also discussed the state of the tyre fitment industry, highlighting the fact that more cars on the road for longer periods were extremely good for business. “We like it when cars stay on the road longer.” He added that forthcoming major sporting events, including the English Lions rugby tour, Confederations Cup and next year’s Soccer World Cup would see more business opportunities for all sectors of the automotive industry around the country.

Famed raconteur David Bullard added his own brand of humour to proceedings, regaling guests with anecdotes from his years as a columnist and motoring journalist.

RMI President Ferose Oaten provided a prelude to the awards presentations with her outlook for the motor industry. She then presented the first award, Equipment Supplier of the Year, to Neville Stevenson of Snap On/John Bean.

S.A. Human Rights Commission Chairperson Jody Kollapan presented the award for Dealership of the Year to Imtiaz Tayob, CEO of Malas Wheel & Tyre Solutions.

TDAFA National Chairman Hermann Erdmann presented the award for Tyre Supplier of the Year to Dustine Gascoyne, Marketing Director for Goodyear.

TDAFA Director Vishal Premlall presented the award for Non-Rubber Supplier of the year to Errol Innes, Managing Director of Willard Batteries.

Premlall confirmed that the process administered in arriving at the final winners included an Independent Survey Company individually phoning all TDAFA members for nominations in the various categories. “Our members are the end users and distributors of the product range, there are no better judges than them!” said Premlall.

He went on to say that the 2010 Awards Ceremony will include two more categories i.e. Industry Person of the Year and Tyre Importer of the Year.

Premlall said that he was confident the awards would encourage the tyre industry to continuously “elevate standards from the top down” thereby adding value to consumers.

“TDAFA’s awards evening is fast becoming the most prestigious event on the tyre industry’s calendar.”

For more information on the TDAFA please contact Vishal Premlall

Tel: 011 886 6300

E-Mail: vishal.premlall@rmi.org.za

Web: www.tdafa.co.za