Rubber Division eyes European expansion

Hertford, UK – US rubber organisation ACS Rubber Division, has appointed its first European representatives as part of a new strategy to boost international membership and participation in events.

The Akron, Ohio-based industry body signed a memorandum of understanding with UK’s recently established communication agency Rubber Heart earlier in March to increase awareness and expand its reach through membership opportunities. 

Under the agreement, Rubber Heart co-directors David Cawthra and Gail Reader will serve as the association’s European representatives, said a 21 May press release. 

The new initiative is the vision of Rubber Division’s executive director and CEO Lakisha Miller-Barclay, who took over the position at the beginning of the year.

Facing the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, Miller-Barclay moved all Rubber Division training courses and webinars to online, which attracted a “large European audience”. 

“Those involved in the rubber industry will be considering ways to broaden and create more flexible supply chains in the future,” said Miller-Barclay. 

The Rubber Division community, she added, “can play a significant role in connecting and driving business, particularly between the US and Europe.” 

Despite uncertainties surrounding Covid-19 outbreak, Miller-Barclay said Rubber Division was “actively planning” for the International Elastomer Conference to be held 20-22 October in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“We believe it would provide the global rubber industry with a meeting hub to reassess and create new business models for the future,” she noted.

Part of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Rubber Division is a non-profit society of academicians and business representatives in the rubber and plastics industries, and organises educational and technical events.