Passion for Safety through Quality

In 2014, I embarked on my journey in the tire industry, starting in the Quality Department with a clear goal—to earn a desk in the Quality office within five years. From the very beginning, I was fully committed, eager to contribute to improving tire quality. Every day, I asked myself how I could make a difference. My dedication paid off quickly, and within five months, I was promoted to analyst, measuring the cross-sections I had previously been cutting. Within a year, I became recognized as an expert in section measurements and even trained other engineers on how to use the software.

By my third year, I advanced to the role of Quality Engineer overseeing Quality Inspectors. This position exposed me to the alarming reality of tires with major anomalies being discovered in warehouses. I began attending monthly Market Returns Meetings, where thousands of "their" faulty tires from around the world were returned. Shockingly, this seemed to be an accepted norm. Determined to learn more, I joined the audit team at a distribution center to conduct product audits. It became evident that many of the defective tires found in plants and distribution centers were also being returned from the market. The solution seemed simple—catch these issues during production and prevent them from reaching customers. However, I quickly realized the situation was far more complex than I had anticipated.

It wasn’t about safety or the customer—it was about money and shipping tires out. One day, after reviewing failed tires in the market, I asked a Central Headquarters Quality representative, "What happens if these defective tires cause fatalities?" The response was chilling: "We have a budget for that. We’ll never hear about them." That moment was surreal, solidifying my understanding of the industry's priorities.

By my fourth year, I was promoted to Area Manager over Final Finishing, and in my fifth year, I became the Quality Engineer responsible for OEM, Warranty Returns, and Field Complaints. I managed a team of four auditors who re-inspected inventory before delivery, worked with OEM tire mounting facilities to resolve tire-related issues, and led internal product audits. As a Certified IATF/ISO Lead Auditor and Layered Process Auditor, I was able to see first hand the gaps in the internal systems. I was also responsible for communicating internal quality holds to the plant management and ensuring our tires met the highest standards. My role required me to provide answers to OEM car manufacturers whenever they faced quality issues with our tires.

My passion for tire safety has never wavered. In my early years, I would wake up in the middle of the night, eager to return to work and make a difference. I even bought two properties near my workplace and rode my bicycle to work every day. However, as my knowledge deepened, I began waking up in a cold sweat, haunted by the reality of what was happening in the industry.

This is why I founded "Make American Tires Safe Again." My mission is to advocate for stricter oversight, accountability, and transparency in the tire industry. Customers deserve the safest American Made tires for their families to drive on and I am committed to ensuring they get it.

Could you imagine losing a loved one in a car accident and later finding out that the tire's manufactuer knew about the problem and ignored it? There is no amount of money that can replace your family. The time to do something is now! Real lives are riding on these tires. Over 700 people lose their lives every year in the U.S., in accidents caused by faulty tires. Please join me in Making American Tires Safe Again, by signing the petition to strengthen oversite and accountability to the tire industry.

"Saving the world one tire at a time"

-Teddie Von Engelbert

Tire Section Cutter- Machine Operator 2014

Cured Tread Deminsional- Analyst 2015

Quality Engineer- Final Finishing 2016

Production Supervisor- Final Finishing 2017

Quality Engineer- OEM/Warranty/Field Complaint 2018 - 2024

Lead Internal Product Auditor 2018 - 2024

IATF Auditor - Certified 2018 - 2024

ISO Auditor - Certified 2018 - 2024

Product Safety Officer/Auditor - 2019 - 2024

Tire Safety Advocate

Tire Quality Engineer & Assurance Specialist