The Tire Society has unveiled its highly anticipated 42nd Annual Conference lineup, set from September 12 to 13th, 2023, at the University of Akron in Ohio. This event offers an engaging blend of in-person participation, live Q&A sessions, sponsor showcases, and an enlightening student poster session. Moreover, thanks to the innovative “Play-on-Demand” feature, attendees can access presentations even after the conference concludes. 

Attendees will also have access to significant content and high-quality presentations on original works on tyre technology, delivered by the authors, covering tyre science, engineering and technology.

Presenters hailing from Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Taiwan, and the USA will talk on the “Intelligent Tire” theme this year. The conference will delve into an array of compelling subjects. These include tyre-road interaction measurements, virtual tyre assembly modelling, sensors and models for health monitoring, and a close examination of tyre stiffness within real-world driving contexts.

The Tire Design segment will be rich and diverse, encompassing discussions on optimising tread patterns and tire cavities, with machine learning adding an extra dimension to the latter. Multiple papers are set to explore topics such as abrasion, noise, traction, friction, and wear. The conference will also focus on materials-related discussions, potentially covering compounding techniques for the Mars Rover and exploring chemical composition and environmental considerations.

A highlight outside the presentation halls will be the display of nine student posters, offering a unique chance to engage directly with the upcoming generation of tyre technologists.

The conference’s Keynote Speaker, David Johansen, Vice President - Technical at Sumitomo Rubber USA, brings 25 years of industry experience to the stage. He’s held significant roles at Sumitomo and Goodyear, including Manager of Tire Design. His comprehensive background also includes responsibilities for the SRI North American Technical Center.

Dr Burkhard Wies, Vice President of Innovation & Applied Research R&D Tires at Continental AG, will anchor the second day with a Plenary Lecture on “Challenges & Opportunities of Intelligent Tires to Support Vehicle Performance & Services.” 

Judy Curran, the Banquet Speaker, is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in automotive and mobility engineering and technology leadership. Serving as the Sr. Chief Technologist (CTO) Automotive at Ansys, she will speak on “Automotive Trends and the ‘Art of the Possible’ with Simulation.”

For more information, you can click to https://www.tiresociety.org/conference/ 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TyresNmore, the automotive aftermarket e-commerce platform owned by RPG Group, has promoted Rakesh Tatikonda to Chief Executive Officer and announced the change with immediate effect.

Tatikonda, who previously oversaw business operations at the Mumbai-based firm, will spearhead the organisation’s expansion and innovation strategy. The appointment advances RPG Group’s ‘Talent First!’ policy, which rewards internal promotions and develops employees.

The new chief executive brings over 15 years of industry experience, having worked across multiple sectors with companies such as telecommunications giant Reliance Jio and IT services provider Infosys. Before joining TyresNmore in 2022, Tatikonda held senior positions at tyre manufacturer CEAT, where he developed expertise in strategy, operations, marketing and digital transformation.

“My aim is to transform automotive aftercare in India by offering seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end mobility solutions delivered with trust, transparency, and convenience right at the customer’s doorstep,” Tatikonda said in a statement.

TyresNmore operates a doorstep service model for tyre and battery replacement across six major Indian cities: Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. The platform represents RPG Group’s entry into the growing automotive aftermarket sector, which has seen increased digitisation as consumers seek convenient maintenance solutions.

During his tenure in operations, Tatikonda scaled the business and improved profitability while driving digital transformation initiatives. His track record shows he strengthened operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience in the mobility convenience sector.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader producing high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres for fleets across the UK and Europe, has expanded its UK presence by acquiring Tyrefair in Kinross, Scotland.

This strategic acquisition extends the company's award-winning service further north, ensuring Scottish customers receive the same high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres Vaculug has supplied for 75 years. Since the purchase, the Kinross location has already grown by 25 percent, with an ambitious target to double its business within a year and then double it again.

This move is a key part of Vaculug's 2026 growth strategy, focused on strategic acquisitions that enable better, faster and more sustainable customer service. The acquisition reinforces Vaculug’s long-standing environmental mission, marking a new chapter of sustainable growth with a strengthened Scottish operation.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres is expanding its US presence through a new nationwide partnership with American Tire Distributors (ATD). This agreement provides Nokian access to ATD’s vast network of over 110 distribution centres, serving roughly 80,000 customers.

The collaboration will efficiently supply tyre shops with Nokian’s complete product lineup, enabling dealers to broaden their inventory. Both companies bring 90 years of experience and a shared dedication to innovation, safety and sustainability. This partnership will offer drivers more choices, supported by Nokian’s award-winning Tennessee factory and ATD’s technology-driven logistics.

This enhanced distribution capability ensures that consumers will have greater access to a full spectrum of high-performance tyres, meeting diverse driving needs and conditions. The alliance strengthens both brands' market positions by combining premium products with an unparalleled delivery system, ultimately improving service for dealers and drivers alike across the country.

Chris Ostrander, SVP, North America, Nokian Tyres, said, “The partnership with ATD enables us to reach more tyre shops and more drivers than ever before. ATD’s robust distribution network, customer service and responsiveness strengthen our agility to serve both new and existing customers.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has announced a new webinar series designed to advance the circular economy for end-of-life tyres (ELTs) in collaboration with the Tire Recycling Foundation. Titled ‘The Road to 100% Tire Circularity: ELTs Going Full Circle’, the initiative aims to foster the development of scalable and profitable markets for recycled tyres. The series will launch in September 2025 and continue through February 2026.

Hosted by John Sheerin, USTMA’s Senior Director of ELT Programs, each session will convene industry experts, recyclers and state policymakers. Their discussions will focus on the latest research and real-world applications that transform waste tyres into valuable resources, thereby diverting them from landfills and generating environmental, industrial and economic benefits.

The programme will explore three of the most promising markets for end-of-life tyres. It begins on 23 September 2025 with a session on tyre-derived aggregate (TDA), examining its use in civil engineering projects like structural fill and stormwater management. A subsequent webinar on 30 October 2025 will cover the growing market for moulded and extruded products made from recycled rubber.

A significant portion of the series will be dedicated to rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), a material known for creating longer-lasting and more sustainable roadways. An introductory session on 20 November 2025 will review the overall performance and benefits of RMA. This will be followed by two regional deep dives: one on 14 January 2026, focusing on practical applications in Midwestern states like Michigan and Ohio, and another on 28 January 2026, exploring its adoption in Southern states including Kentucky and Georgia. The series will culminate on 24 February 2026 with a capstone session providing a comprehensive overview of grant and funding opportunities available to support the growth of these ELT markets.

This initiative addresses a critical need. While tyres are one of the most recycled products in US, and stockpiles have been reduced by 94 percent over the past three decades, the generation of end-of-life tyres continues to outpace their consumption in recycling markets. The webinar series is presented as a strategic pathway to bridge this gap by promoting innovative and sustainable end-use applications.

Those interested in shaping the future of tyre management are encouraged to register for any or all of the webinars through the USTMA website. Attendees will receive a resource kit after each session to help facilitate further discussion and action.

Anne Forristall Luke, President & CEO, USTMA, said, “We view these webinars as a crucial opportunity to connect key leaders across the country and show them that sustainability and economic growth go hand-in-hand. By showcasing proven applications and providing the tools to act, we can collectively turn ELTs from a waste challenge into an economic engine.”

Sheerin said, “As we look to expand ELT markets and unlock the full environmental and economic potential of end-of-life tyres, collaboration is essential. And no one can do it alone. State DOTs, regulators, recyclers and manufacturers must work together to help grow ELT markets through targeted investment, supportive policy and continued research.”

Comments (1)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

• 

  - CNJ SUPPORT September 11, 2025 15:03 PM

  How can we enroll on this Webinar

  Reply