Smithers Rapra Announces the 1st Edition of the Future of Tire Technology

Inaugural event to be held October 28-30 in Charlotte, NC

PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Smithers Rapra is pleased to announce the first annual Future of Tire Technology conference and exhibition. Taking place October 28-30, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina, this event will be specifically designed to provide tire OEMs, Tier 1-4 system and component suppliers, and materials producers the in-depth, up-to-the-minute knowledge they need in a rapidly evolving technical and regulatory landscape.

“Building on our successful and long-running Carbon Black conference, the Future of Tire Technology 2013 will tackle topics not currently covered by any other industry event”

The vehicle-focused program will be shaped by key players in the tire performance industry including co-chairs Dr. James A. Popio, General Manager / Director of Engineering, Smithers Rapra, Inc. and David Rohweder, Global Chief Engineer, Tire and Wheel Engineering, Ford Motor Company.

“Building on our successful and long-running Carbon Black conference, the Future of Tire Technology 2013 will tackle topics not currently covered by any other industry event,” says Conference Director Andrew T. Smaha. “In our inaugural edition, our major focus is to develop a deeper understanding of how tire companies and OEMs can balance innovation, regulatory requirements and cost concerns with consumer perception and actions. Many in the tire industry are wrestling with a number of competing variables that makes strategic planning difficult; The Future of Tire Technology will provide the technical and business insights needed to shape a clear path forward.”

Abstracts are currently being accepted for The Future of Tire Technology 2013. Send your name, qualifications and proposed presentation title to Andrew Smaha at [e-mail] or [phone] if you are an industry expert who can provide an engaging, knowledgeable and exciting presentation regarding any of the following topics:

• Customer and OEM perspectives on current and pending legislating framework;
• Current and future customer demands needs in the tire retail environment;
• How raw material suppliers adapt their developments to the needs of tire manufacturers and customers;
• The costs, compliance, automation and technology of making tires to ever-changing specifications;
• Efficiency gains/quality improvement versus increasing recommendations; or
• Tread wear, traction and rolling resistance; or
• What NextGen vehicles will require from the tire.

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available. For more information about The Future of Tire Technology, visit www.futuretiretech.com.

About Smithers Rapra

Smithers Rapra is the global leader in rubber, plastics, polymer and composites testing, consulting and information products and events, with key focuses including the tire, industrial, transportation, consumer and medical industries. For more information, visit www.smithersrapra.com.