FTC 2016: Q&A with Jan Grashuis, vice president – global R&D, VMI

1.What are the main challenges ahead of the industry?

VMI sees challenges for the tire industry both in the field of tire technology and plant organization. Each step towards a half-weight tire will reduce the gauge of components, making them harder to produce, handle and built into a tire. With thinner components the impact of splices and centring of components on tire appearance and quality will increase the need for tire building machines with advanced centring- and application systems.

Equally complex is the increasing number of tire specs a tire plant has to produce, which multiplies the logistic complexity and requires more and more flexibility in equipment.

2.Over recent years, what do you see as the most significant development to have happened in the tire industry?

The three most signicant developments were the reduction of tire weight by using thinner components, compounds that are optimized for tire labeling, which makes them harder to process and more tire manufacturers producing OEM quality at a competitive price/performance ratio, which increases the need for cost-effective production globally.

3.What single development would do most to improve the future of the tire industry, and why?

The future of the tire industry is, like for all other industries, in increasing automation and moreover, connecting all ‘islands of automation’ by networks. Each part of this network will be equiped by smart sensors which gather information that is not only used locally, but also shared via the network, enabling intelligent and context-sensitive decisions which optimize the whole process both in terms of quality and efficiency. In 2029 Artificial Intelligence might have reached human levels, being able to control complex systems with a lot of data, much more efficient than humans could ever do.

This trend is supported by governments with programs like Industrie 4.0, automation suppliers, but certainly also by equipment suppliers like VMI.

4.Looking into the crystal ball, what big changes do you expect to see in tires and the tire industry by 2030?

Many scenario’s are thinkable for the industry in 15 years. A disruptive change in tire technology is not to be expected on that relatively short notice. In 2035 however 11.8 million self driving cars are expected be on the road and the question is if these cars will still be owned by consumers who still see the car as status symbol, or if they will a car is simply a service that’s provided when ordered. In the 2^nd scenario the number of tire specs might reduce largely and the focus on ultra-high performance will lower.

For sure there will be an ongoing development into the use of new and sustainable materials, which will keep challenging both the tire manufacturers and their equipment suppliers.

5. What are you looking forward to at Future Tire 2016?

The conference promises an interesting program with presentations of experts in the industry. This will certainly give interesting insights in trends for the coming years.

- See more at: http://www.tyre-conferences.com/futuretire2016/meet-the-speakers--j--grashuis--vmi#sthash.L01o72w7.dpuf

1.What are the main challenges ahead of the industry?

VMI sees challenges for the tire industry both in the field of tire technology and plant organization. Each step towards a half-weight tire will reduce the gauge of components, making them harder to produce, handle and built into a tire. With thinner components the impact of splices and centring of components on tire appearance and quality will increase the need for tire building machines with advanced centring- and application systems.

Equally complex is the increasing number of tire specs a tire plant has to produce, which multiplies the logistic complexity and requires more and more flexibility in equipment.

2.Over recent years, what do you see as the most significant development to have happened in the tire industry?

The three most signicant developments were the reduction of tire weight by using thinner components, compounds that are optimized for tire labeling, which makes them harder to process and more tire manufacturers producing OEM quality at a competitive price/performance ratio, which increases the need for cost-effective production globally.

3.What single development would do most to improve the future of the tire industry, and why?

The future of the tire industry is, like for all other industries, in increasing automation and moreover, connecting all ‘islands of automation’ by networks. Each part of this network will be equiped by smart sensors which gather information that is not only used locally, but also shared via the network, enabling intelligent and context-sensitive decisions which optimize the whole process both in terms of quality and efficiency. In 2029 Artificial Intelligence might have reached human levels, being able to control complex systems with a lot of data, much more efficient than humans could ever do.

This trend is supported by governments with programs like Industrie 4.0, automation suppliers, but certainly also by equipment suppliers like VMI.

4.Looking into the crystal ball, what big changes do you expect to see in tires and the tire industry by 2030?

Many scenario’s are thinkable for the industry in 15 years. A disruptive change in tire technology is not to be expected on that relatively short notice. In 2035 however 11.8 million self driving cars are expected be on the road and the question is if these cars will still be owned by consumers who still see the car as status symbol, or if they will a car is simply a service that’s provided when ordered. In the 2^nd scenario the number of tire specs might reduce largely and the focus on ultra-high performance will lower.

For sure there will be an ongoing development into the use of new and sustainable materials, which will keep challenging both the tire manufacturers and their equipment suppliers.

5. What are you looking forward to at Future Tire 2016?

The conference promises an interesting program with presentations of experts in the industry. This will certainly give interesting insights in trends for the coming years.

- See more at: http://www.tyre-conferences.com/futuretire2016/meet-the-speakers--j--grashuis--vmi#sthash.L01o72w7.dpuf

1.What are the main challenges ahead of the industry?

VMI sees challenges for the tire industry both in the field of tire technology and plant organization. Each step towards a half-weight tire will reduce the gauge of components, making them harder to produce, handle and built into a tire. With thinner components the impact of splices and centring of components on tire appearance and quality will increase the need for tire building machines with advanced centring- and application systems.

Equally complex is the increasing number of tire specs a tire plant has to produce, which multiplies the logistic complexity and requires more and more flexibility in equipment.

2.Over recent years, what do you see as the most significant development to have happened in the tire industry?

The three most signicant developments were the reduction of tire weight by using thinner components, compounds that are optimized for tire labeling, which makes them harder to process and more tire manufacturers producing OEM quality at a competitive price/performance ratio, which increases the need for cost-effective production globally.

3.What single development would do most to improve the future of the tire industry, and why?

The future of the tire industry is, like for all other industries, in increasing automation and moreover, connecting all ‘islands of automation’ by networks. Each part of this network will be equiped by smart sensors which gather information that is not only used locally, but also shared via the network, enabling intelligent and context-sensitive decisions which optimize the whole process both in terms of quality and efficiency. In 2029 Artificial Intelligence might have reached human levels, being able to control complex systems with a lot of data, much more efficient than humans could ever do.

This trend is supported by governments with programs like Industrie 4.0, automation suppliers, but certainly also by equipment suppliers like VMI.

4.Looking into the crystal ball, what big changes do you expect to see in tires and the tire industry by 2030?

Many scenario’s are thinkable for the industry in 15 years. A disruptive change in tire technology is not to be expected on that relatively short notice. In 2035 however 11.8 million self driving cars are expected be on the road and the question is if these cars will still be owned by consumers who still see the car as status symbol, or if they will a car is simply a service that’s provided when ordered. In the 2^nd scenario the number of tire specs might reduce largely and the focus on ultra-high performance will lower.

For sure there will be an ongoing development into the use of new and sustainable materials, which will keep challenging both the tire manufacturers and their equipment suppliers.

5. What are you looking forward to at Future Tire 2016?

The conference promises an interesting program with presentations of experts in the industry. This will certainly give interesting insights in trends for the coming years.

- See more at: http://www.tyre-conferences.com/futuretire2016/meet-the-speakers--j--grashuis--vmi#sthash.L01o72w7.dpuf

1.What are the main challenges ahead of the industry?

VMI sees challenges for the tire industry both in the field of tire technology and plant organization. Each step towards a half-weight tire will reduce the gauge of components, making them harder to produce, handle and built into a tire. With thinner components the impact of splices and centring of components on tire appearance and quality will increase the need for tire building machines with advanced centring- and application systems.

Equally complex is the increasing number of tire specs a tire plant has to produce, which multiplies the logistic complexity and requires more and more flexibility in equipment.

2.Over recent years, what do you see as the most significant development to have happened in the tire industry?

The three most signicant developments were the reduction of tire weight by using thinner components, compounds that are optimized for tire labeling, which makes them harder to process and more tire manufacturers producing OEM quality at a competitive price/performance ratio, which increases the need for cost-effective production globally.

3.What single development would do most to improve the future of the tire industry, and why?

The future of the tire industry is, like for all other industries, in increasing automation and moreover, connecting all ‘islands of automation’ by networks. Each part of this network will be equiped by smart sensors which gather information that is not only used locally, but also shared via the network, enabling intelligent and context-sensitive decisions which optimize the whole process both in terms of quality and efficiency. In 2029 Artificial Intelligence might have reached human levels, being able to control complex systems with a lot of data, much more efficient than humans could ever do.

This trend is supported by governments with programs like Industrie 4.0, automation suppliers, but certainly also by equipment suppliers like VMI.

4.Looking into the crystal ball, what big changes do you expect to see in tires and the tire industry by 2030?

Many scenario’s are thinkable for the industry in 15 years. A disruptive change in tire technology is not to be expected on that relatively short notice. In 2035 however 11.8 million self driving cars are expected be on the road and the question is if these cars will still be owned by consumers who still see the car as status symbol, or if they will a car is simply a service that’s provided when ordered. In the 2^nd scenario the number of tire specs might reduce largely and the focus on ultra-high performance will lower.

For sure there will be an ongoing development into the use of new and sustainable materials, which will keep challenging both the tire manufacturers and their equipment suppliers.

5. What are you looking forward to at Future Tire 2016?

The conference promises an interesting program with presentations of experts in the industry. This will certainly give interesting insights in trends for the coming years.

- See more at: http://www.tyre-conferences.com/futuretire2016/meet-the-speakers--j--grashuis--vmi#sthash.8njRgbH4.dpuf

Jan Grashuis, vice president – global R&D, VMI, will detail cutting-edge developments in plant automation at the Future Tire Conference 2016, 24-25 May in Essen, Germany.

Standardising machinery with controlled technology will also be part of Grashuis’ focus as he addresses Future Factories & Supply Chain Forum on Day 2 of the Future Tire Conference.

1.What are the main challenges ahead of the industry?

VMI sees challenges for the tire industry both in the field of tire technology and plant organization. Each step towards a half-weight tire will reduce the gauge of components, making them harder to produce, handle and built into a tire. With thinner components the impact of splices and centring of components on tire appearance and quality will increase the need for tire building machines with advanced centring- and application systems.

Equally complex is the increasing number of tire specs a tire plant has to produce, which multiplies the logistic complexity and requires more and more flexibility in equipment.

2.Over recent years, what do you see as the most significant development to have happened in the tire industry?

The three most significant developments were the reduction of tire weight by using thinner components, compounds that are optimised for tire labelling, which makes them harder to process and more tire manufacturers producing OEM quality at a competitive price/performance ratio, which increases the need for cost-effective production globally.

3.What single development would do most to improve the future of the tire industry, and why?

The future of the tire industry is, like for all other industries, in increasing automation and moreover, connecting all ‘islands of automation’ by networks. Each part of this network will be equipped by smart sensors which gather information that is not only used locally, but also shared via the network, enabling intelligent and context-sensitive decisions which optimize the whole process both in terms of quality and efficiency. In 2029 Artificial Intelligence might have reached human levels, being able to control complex systems with a lot of data, much more efficient than humans could ever do.

This trend is supported by governments with programs like Industry 4.0, automation suppliers, but certainly also by equipment suppliers like VMI.

4.Looking into the crystal ball, what big changes do you expect to see in tires and the tire industry by 2030?

Many scenario’s are thinkable for the industry in 15 years. A disruptive change in tire technology is not to be expected on that relatively short notice. In 2035 however 11.8 million self driving cars are expected be on the road and the question is if these cars will still be owned by consumers who still see the car as status symbol, or if they will a car is simply a service that’s provided when ordered. In the 2^nd scenario the number of tire specs might reduce largely and the focus on ultra-high performance will lower.

For sure there will be an ongoing development into the use of new and sustainable materials, which will keep challenging both the tire manufacturers and their equipment suppliers.

5. What are you looking forward to at Future Tire 2016?

The conference promises an interesting program with presentations of experts in the industry. This will certainly give interesting insights in trends for the coming years.

Future Tire Conference 2016 will be held during the Reifen 2016 /RubberTech Europe expos on 24-27 May in Essen, Germany. For more information, please visit the  Future Tire Conference website.

For registration details, please contact the conference support team.

About the speaker

Grashuis studied mechanical engineering and worked for machine builders in several sectors.

He started as a software engineer for VMI in 2003. In 2007, as R&D manager passenger tire building he was responsible for the development of two well-known tire buildings machines: the MAXX and the Exxium.

Currently he is responsible for all new developments within VMI, in the position of vice president global R&D.