Around 450 people from 10 countries have registered for the 67th annual conference, which will take place at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, Fla., from 23-26 February. This is the first conference in two years. 

Mason Hess, President, TIA, said, “We are thrilled with the turnout and excited to extend the room block for a few more days. I encourage anyone who has been contemplating attending to take advantage of this offer.” 

Conference registration is required prior to reserving a room. A special reservation link will be provided once registration is received and payment is processed, TIA said in a statement. 

This year’s OTR Tyre Conference features 12 educational sessions including topics on blocking and cribbing; a Women in Industry Panel; U.S. and Canada economic forecasts; Managing the Future of OTR End of Life Tyres; and Attracting, Developing and Retaining Top Industry Talent.  

Besides, there will be two breakout sessions, focusing on the future of robotics in retread plants and on OTR tire recycling, new markets and sustainability solutions. The educational sessions will focus on training, industry information, professional development and government affairs and will include a new Women in the Industry Panel. Paralympian and two-time World Champion Jeff Glasbrenner will also deliver a motivational speech. 

The annual OTR Tire Conference also offers attendees multiple opportunities to network and conduct business. Attendees will also have several opportunities to visit and talk with suppliers during the tabletop gatherings, the release added.

 

Full schedule: 

Wednesday, Feb. 23 

• Legislative Update: 

Presented by Roy Littlefield IV, TIA director of government affairs; 

• Managing the Future of OTR End-of-Life Tyres: 

Presented by John Sheerin, director, end-of-life tyre program, U.S. Tyre Manufacturers Association (USTMA); Leigh-Ann Stewart, director of health and safety, Kal Tire; and Debra Hamlin, director of commercial business, environmental, health, safety and sustainability, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations; 

• Jacking and Cribbing: 

Presented by Jeff Faubion, TIA/MSHA compliance specialist, Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Roy Galyer, training manager, Klinge Holdings Pty. Ltd.; and Matt White, TIA director of tyre service; 

• Virtual OTR Tech Panel: 

Presented by Mark Shimko, safety trainer, McCarthy Tire Service, and Faubion, Galyer and White. 

 

Thursday, Feb. 24 

• U.S. Economic Forecast: 

Presented by Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training 

• Canadian Economic Forecast: 

Presented by Rohlwing on behalf of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada; 

• Tyre Repair Panel: 

Presented by Robbie Bushnell, vice president of tire repair products, 31 Inc. XtraSeal; Brian Laughlin, key account manager, TECH International; and Jeff Young, vice president OTR and retread products, Rema Tip Top North America; and 

• Women in the Industry Panel: 

(panelists to be announced later). 

 

Friday, Feb. 25 

• 10 Big Tech Trends Affecting Businesses This Year… And Beyond: 

Presented by Gene Marks, CPA, Marks Group PC; 

• Attracting, Developing & Retaining Top Tire Industry Talent: 

Presented by Mike Cioffi, founder, Tire Talent; 

• Essential Leadership for Crucial Moments: 

Presented by Mike Acker, communication coach, ADVANCE, Coaching and Consulting L.L.C. 

• Motivational Speaker: “Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Goals: 

Presented by Jeff Glasbrenner. 

• Break-Out Sessions: 

• The Present Future of Robotics in Today’s Retread Production Plants: 

Presented by Daniel Zeledon, president, Tesco-Italmatic L.L.C.; and 

• Advancing OTR Recycling, New Markets and Sustainability Solutions: 

presented by Genti Bardhi, head of business development & government affairs – North America, Salvadori. (TT)

Facing rising operational costs and economic uncertainties, transport and logistics operators in Europe and North America are seeking ways to enhance efficiency. Continental supports these businesses through durable commercial vehicle tyres, digital tools and tailored consulting services. Insights from ‘The Future of the Fleets’ study – conducted by Dataforce for Continental – reveal key industry pressures, surveying 850 fleet managers across France, Germany, UK and US.

The findings highlight cost pressures as the dominant challenge, cited by 76 percent of respondents, while 46 percent express concerns over economic instability due to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical factors. Regional differences in digital adoption and transformation readiness further shape fleet priorities.

British fleets demonstrate strong openness to innovation, with 80 percent acknowledging transformation needs and 73 percent focused on competitiveness. Digital solutions like ContiConnect – which monitors tyre health in real time – are gaining traction for their ability to cut costs, improve safety and minimise downtime. Clarisa Doval, Continental’s Head of Digital Solutions, notes the UK market’s preference for fast ROI technologies that streamline operations.

French fleets show proactive climate commitments, with 65 percent investing in electrification and 43 percent prioritising emissions reduction. Franziska Ohliger, Head of Commercial Consumer Business Solutions, highlights Continental’s Conti Eco tyre for electric trucks and the Conti Urban NXT bus tyre – made with 59 percent sustainable materials – as key enablers of this shift.

German respondents report the highest cost sensitivity but lag in transformation urgency – only 51 percent see it as critical. Just six percent identify as tech pioneers, contrasting sharply with UK (32 percent) and France (21 percent). Driver shortages and fleet electrification also rank as top concerns. Continental aims to bridge this gap through proven digital tools like ContiConnect and strategic consulting.

NEXEN TIRE has unveiled its latest innovation, the N'FERA Supreme EV ROOT, a high-performance tyre designed to meet the requirements of both electric and conventional vehicles. This new offering enhances the company's existing premium comfort model with specialised features for modern automotive needs.

Engineered to accommodate the increased weight of electric SUVs, the tyre incorporates a High Load (HL) rating and advanced sound-absorbing materials to reduce road noise. Its square-shaped contact patch and proprietary 3D kerf technology enhance traction and stability across diverse driving conditions. Performance tests conducted with the KIA EV6 showed notable improvements, including a 13 percent increase in wet and dry handling and comfort, along with a 20 percent reduction in rolling resistance for greater efficiency.

The EV ROOT designation, introduced in late 2025, represents NEXEN TIRE's commitment to delivering tyres that excel for both EV and ICE applications. Initially available in South Korea, the N'FERA Supreme EV ROOT will gradually expand to global markets as part of the company's strategy to standardise high-performance solutions across its product range.

To support its innovation efforts, NEXEN TIRE has implemented advanced technologies, including an AI-driven performance prediction system that analyses key tyre attributes such as noise, grip and fuel efficiency. Additionally, the company has pioneered a VR-based High Dynamic Driving Simulator, the first of its kind in South Korea, enabling real-time virtual testing to refine tyre performance during development. This initiative underscores NEXEN TIRE's focus on technological leadership in the evolving automotive industry.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “EV ROOT is more than just a mark – it represents our vision for the future of mobility, where one tyre can deliver top-tier performance across all vehicle types. We will continue to push boundaries to create innovative products that meet the evolving needs of today’s drivers.”

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. reinforced its premium positioning with a dynamic display of its luxury tyre range, Levitas, at Mumbai’s Fast & Fabulous: The Supercar Catwalk. The high-energy event merged automotive excellence with style, highlighting Levitas as the ideal choice for India’s luxury and performance car enthusiasts.

Attended by industry leaders, motorsport personalities and auto aficionados, the evening featured Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director of JK Tyre, alongside rally champion Gaurav Gill and Akhilesh Reddy of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd. The event also showcased two Formula cars – Formula 4 and Formula Wolf – heralding the 2025 India Racing Festival, set to kick off on 15 August.

Further amplifying the excitement, JK Tyre announced an ambitious high-altitude drift record attempt at Umling La Pass, executed by drift expert Sanam Sekhon on Levitas XTREME tyres. Designed for superior grip and durability, the Levitas Ultra (premium segment) and Levitas XTREME (ultra-high performance) tyres underscore JK Tyre’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for India’s elite automotive market.

Singhania said, “The Levitas range is pushing the boundaries of what a luxury tyre can represent, blending sophistication with cutting-edge performance. Through the Fast & Fabulous event, we have brought this vision to life, showcasing the style, control, and premium appeal our products are built to deliver.”

Zeon reported a 115 percent jump in operating profit from its elastomer business in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, even as net sales across the segment stagnated, squeezed by a stronger yen and lower selling prices reflecting declining raw material costs.

Operating profit in the elastomer unit—including synthetic rubbers used in tyres—rose to ¥4.2 billion from ¥2.0 billion last quarter, as post-maintenance sales volumes improved and fixed costs dropped.

Segment revenue stood flat at ¥58.1 billion, down 4 percent year-on-year, with synthetic rubber sales slipping 2 percent to ¥44.5 billion. Chemicals revenue dropped 12 percent to ¥9.0 billion, while latexes rose 3 percent to ¥3.5 billion.

“Despite the impact of lower selling prices due to falling raw material prices and yen appreciation, both net sales and OP income were up due to higher shipments following the completion of regular maintenance and a reduction in headquarters expense allocation,” the company said in its earnings presentation.

For the full year, Zeon held its net sales forecast at ¥415.0 billion, up 4 percent year-on-year, but cut its operating income outlook to ¥30.5 billion, down 9 percent. The company also reaffirmed its ¥72 per share dividend for FY2025 and continued its 10 million share or ¥10 billion buyback programme.

While sales of general-purpose rubbers declined year-on-year due to export sluggishness and plant shutdowns, Zeon said shipments had rebounded quarter-on-quarter after completing maintenance at its Tokuyama and Singapore plants. Speciality rubbers also posted sequential growth, despite weak overseas demand.

Net profit for the quarter rose to ¥7.5 billion, up 24 percent from the previous quarter, supported by higher gains from investment securities and reduced impairment losses.

Zeon remains cautious for the year’s second half, citing US tariffs, volatile raw materials, and yen fluctuations. The company flagged potential shipment declines for optical films and synthetic rubbers in H2 but expects a recovery in FY2026.