Technology challenging tire makers - Cooper exec.

ERJ staff report (RPN)

Fairlawn, Ohio – The frenetic pace of technology will leave some tire companies "by the wayside," Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s vice president of global research and development told a group of industry executives, Chris Sweeney reported for Rubber & Plastics News.

The executives were gathered in Fairlawn for the Tire Society's 32nd annual meeting and conference.

"Love it or hate it, the pace of future tire technology is expected to increase as a result of technology advances," Chuck Yurkovich said in his keynote address.

"Tire companies that are unwilling or unable to keep up with this pace of technology development will soon fall by the wayside."

During his speech, Yurokovich addressed the constant challenge of developing new technology as the tire industry changes, touching upon a range of topics, including:

• bio technology solutions;

• world economic conditions;

• technological expectations from consumers and OE vehicle manufacturers;

• green technology; and

• government regulations and other challenges the industry will continue to face in some shape or form over the next few decades.

Yurkovich has been with Cooper Tire since July 2005 and is responsible of leading the company's technical organisations on three continents in development, maintenance and improvement of new products and technologies for all product lines.

He held a number of technical, marketing and managerial positions with Goodyear for 33 years prior to joining Cooper.