CRADER DOUBLES SPACE WITH NEW WAREHOUSE

JACKSON -- Crader Tire & Retread Service Inc. has expanded.

"We have added a warehouse for new truck tires, which will more than double our current warehouse space," said Robert Crader Jr., president of the firm, which is near the Interstate 55-Highway 61 intersection.

Crader said a 100-by-70-foot metal building has been added, along with a 28-by-20-foot loading dock and basement.

"This will enable us to stock more tires," said Crader. "We can now have more than 6,000 new, retreaded and used tires in our inventory."

Crader Tires handles new Ohtsu truck tires and Bandag retreads.

"We have also added the NDI Tire Casing Analyzer Machine," said Crader. "This equipment helps in locating flaws and determining the retreadability of the customer's casing through ultrasonic inspection."

Crader said the new equipment will save truckers money "by not retreading bad tires."

Crader and Clint Massa recently attended a two-day training session on the NDI machine. It was sponsored by Bandag Inc., at Muscatine, Iowa. Both qualified as certified NDI inspectors.

Crader said he is optimistic about a recent General Services Administration contract calling for federal agencies to purchase retreads.

"The goal of the GSA is for at least 50 percent of tires purchased by federal agencies to be retreads," said Crader. "The GSA retread contract calls for some 232 different line items, and Bandag has been awarded 231 of the 232 categories."

Crader added that the actual dollar impact for his company will depend on the number of agencies and government vehicles in the area.

"The government stands to save a lot of money by utilizing retreads," said Crader. "A quality truck tire casing has the potential of up to four lives as a retread. This not only saves money, but reduces the waste disposal problems that tires can present."

Crader Tire has been in business since 1971, when Robert Crader Sr. founded the business.

"I joined the business in 1973," said Robert Crader Jr. "Our operation here is located on two acres of land, and includes two large buildings totaling more than 23,000 square feet.