There is still time to sign up for the first Future of Tire Technology conference and exhibition. Hosted by Smithers Rapra Inc., the three-day event will be held Oct. 28-30, 2013, at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.
All the sessions will center on how tire companies, suppliers and OEMs can balance innovation, regulatory requirements and cost concerns with consumer perception and actions.
There are two sessions on Monday, three on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Here is an in-depth look at the first day’s sessions.
MONDAY, OCT. 28
Session I: Setting the Stage by Exploring the Regulatory Landscape
1:30 p.m.: State of the Industry -- an Overview of Current and Future Client Needs. Speaker: Dr. James Popio, general manager/director of engineering, Smithers Rapra Inc.
2 p.m.: Balancing Innovation, Regulatory Requirements and Cost Concerns with Consumer Perception and Actions. Speaker: Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of global research and development, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
2:30 p.m.: Intermodal -- Does the Rubber Meet the Road? Speaker: Paul Burgoyne, principal, Vantage Intermodal LLC.
3 p.m.: Managing OTR Tires for Caterpillar. Speaker: Dan Shoemaker, tire and rim product manager, Caterpillar Inc.
Session II: What the Tire Needs to Do for Us
4 p.m.: What the Tire Needs to Do for Us -- The Customer Perspective. Speaker: Dr. Dennis Byrne, professor of economics, University of Akron.
4:30 p.m.: What the Tire Needs to Do for Us -- The Materials Perspective. Speaker: Dr. Mark Smale, director of development, Firestone Polymers LLC.
5 p.m.: What the Tire Needs to Do for Us -- The Tire Manufacturer Perspective. Speaker: David Colletti, director, original equipment, Pirelli Tire LLC.
5:30 p.m.: What the Tire Needs to Do for Us -- The Regulatory Perspective. Speaker: Greg Felder, manager, industry standards and government regulations, Michelin North America Inc.
6 p.m.: What the Tire Needs to Do for Us -- The OEM Perspective. Speaker: David Rohweder, global chief engineer, tire and wheel engineering, Ford Motor Co.
Here’s a quick look at days two and three, respectively.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Session III: Industry Outlook and the "Next Big Thing.
Session IV: The Sustainability Question.
Session V: Advancements in Material Performance.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Session VI: Component Level Tire Modeling.
The 2013 program was built to deliver relevant information and business opportunity to all sectors of the industry.
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available. Modern Tire Dealer is a media sponsor. For more information about The Future of Tire Technology, visit www.futuretiretech.com.
Smithers Rapra, a Smithers Group company, is a 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.
