Matt Kent has been named technical director of the Smithers Rapra Tire & Wheel Test Center in Ravenna, Ohio. Kent will focus on Smithers' current force and moment testing operations, as well as the commissioning of the new MTS Flat Trac CT+ system in the spring of 2018. That new machine is a focus of an ongoing expansion at the Ravenna laboratory. The work is expected to be completed by May 2018.
He joins Smithers with 17 years of technical expertise in the tire industry. He's been responsible for several tire testing machines, including the MTS Flat Tracs, Spring Rate, Laser Measurement, Acoustic, Uniformity, and High and Low Speed Durability.
“Matt’s wealth of force and moment testing experience will help ensure our team hits the ground running with the Ravenna lab expansion,” said James Popio, vice president of Smithers Rapra North America. “His work on the tire manufacturing side of the business brings a technical perspective that will benefit all of our clients, from tire makers to automotive OEMs.”
Smithers says Kent is the first of several new hires to support its expanding capabilities at the site.
For more information, visit www.smithersrapra.com.
