28th Clemson Tire Industry Conference April 18-20

ERJ staff report (TB)

Hilton Head, South Carolina -  The 2012 election, existing or pending tyre regulations and advances in tyre technology will be the main topics at the 28th Annual Clemson University Tire Industry Conference, which is scheduled to be held April 18-20 at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa.

Keynote speaker at the April 19 conference luncheon will be Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina's Republican governor and a noted conservative activist.

“Our Industry and its Oversight” will be the topic of Session I on April 18. Kicking off the session will be Al Cohn, director of new market development and engineering support for Pressure Systems International Inc., who will discuss the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program and its effect on tyres.

Following Cohn will be Christopher J. Bonanti, associate administrator for rulemaking at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Mr. Bonanti will discuss current tyre regulatory issues, including the tyre fuel efficiency rule and upgrades to truck tyre endurance testing.

Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA), will discuss the 2012 election and what it will mean to the tyre industry. He will be followed by James Popio, general manager/director of engineering at Smithers Rapra North America, who will talk about uncertainty in rolling resistance measurement and how this could affect compliance with the federal tyre fuel efficiency regulation.

James D. MacIsaac Jr., NHTSA project engineer, will summarise test development research for the tyre efficiency consumer information program. Tracey Norberg, senior vice president and corporate counsel for the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), will present an overview of public policy issues affecting the tyre industry.

“Our Industry's Interaction with the World Around Us” will be the topic of Session II on the morning of April 19. The session will begin with Joseph Bachman, environmental scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discussing how low-rolling-resistance tyres are a critical tool in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

John Emerson, director of industry standards and government regulations for Michelin North America Inc., will examine methods of improving passenger tyre fuel economy. Ronald Medford, NHTSA deputy administrator, will talk about the tyre industry's role in the future of vehicle safety and fuel economy.

David Rohweider, chassis global chief engineer for Ford Motor Co., will discuss the impact of tyre technologies on global automotive development. John M. Baldwin, principle scientist-vehicle engineering for Exponent, will discuss how tyre industry policies affect retail consumers.

“Life Cycle-From Raw Materials to End of Life” will be the theme of Session III on the afternoon of April 19. The session will begin with Glenn R. Maidment, president of the Rubber Association of Canada, discussing the “Extended Producers Responsibility” (EPR) product life-cycle program required in much of Canada and Europe.

David Chapman, director of Global EHS Sustainability at Goodyear, will present the results of a study showing that tyre wear particles are not harmful to the environment or human health. Judy Douglas, technical marketing manager for LANXESS Corp., will review the role of solution SBR in improving tyre safety and fuel economy.

Michael R. Fraley, chief executive officer and founder of PanAridus LLC, will discuss his company's efforts to commercialise guayule rubber as a raw material for tyres. Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training, will outline the current state of tyre repair and the problems faced by tyre dealers who perform repairs.

“Facts” is the title of Session IV, which closes the conference April 20. “Tyre Future Intelligence” will be the topic of the talk by Alessandra Ferraris, director of R&D-The Americas for Continental Tire the Americas LLC. Kurian Abraham, editor and managing director of Dhanam Publications Pvt. Ltd., will discuss challenges and opportunities in the Indian tyre industry.

Avishay Novoplanski, CIO of Galileo Wheel Ltd., will present his company's innovative approach to tyre and wheel design. Michael Moon, vice president-engineering for SciTech Industries, will discuss his company's research into non-pneumatic tyres. Daniel Salazar, project manager-product development steel cord for Bekaert Corp., will talk about his company's innovations in steel cord manufacturing.

Registration for the conference is $995 per attendee. The Marriott Hilton Head has a special room rate of $139 per night for conference attendees who reserve before March 20.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Press release from Clemson University