The president of United Steelworkers of America Local 303L said Friday he still believes that Carlisle Companies of Syracuse, N.Y., will end up buying Titan International.

Local 303L&160;members have been on strike from Titan’s Natchez tire plant since early September 1998. Several attempts to negotiate a new contract with Titan have been unsuccessful.

When Carlisle on Aug. 4 signed a letter of intent to buy Titan for $600 million, union officials expressed hope that a change in ownership would bring them closer to getting a new contract. But Carlisle let the letter expire on Sept. 18.

&uot;But we’re still hopeful,&uot;&160;said Leo &uot;T-Bone&uot; Bradley, Local 303L president. &uot;After all, they’re still talking.&uot;

Officials of both companies said they will continue discussing a purchase.

&uot;(Titan is) free to talk to other parties,&uot; said John Barsanti, vice president of Carlisle. &uot;But we still working toward the completion of a definitive merger agreement.&uot;

Carlisle, founded in 1917 as a tire and rubber company, made $1.5 billion in sales and posted net earnings of $84.9 million last year. The company has four divisions:&160;construction materials, automotive products, general industry and industrial components.

Carlisle Tire and Wheel, a subsidiary of the industrial components division, produces small bias-ply tires and wheels used on lawn and garden equipment, golf carts, recreational vehicles and boat and utility trailers.

Quincy, Ill.-based Titan International made almost $660.8 million in sales and posted net income of more than $8.15 million last year. The company produces wheels and tires for four sectors: agricultural equipment; construction equipment; military components; and consumer products, for use on ATV’s, trailers, golf carts and lawn and garden tractors.