The 2012 election, existing or pending tire regulations and advances in tire technology will be the main topics at the 28th Annual Clemson University Tire Industry Conference, April 18-20 at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa.
The keynote speaker at the April 19 conference luncheon will be Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina's Republican governor and a noted conservative activist.
“Our Industry and its Oversight” will be the topic of Session I on April 18. Kicking off the session will be Al Cohn, director of new market development and engineering support for Pressure Systems International Inc., who will discuss the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program and its effect on tires.
Christopher J. Bonanti, associate administrator for rulemaking at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will discuss current tire regulatory issues, including the tire fuel-efficiency rule and upgrades to truck tire endurance testing.
Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA), will discuss the 2012 election and what it will mean to the tire industry. He will be followed by James Popio, general manager/director of engineering at Smithers Rapra North America, who will talk about uncertainty in rolling resistance measurement and how this could affect compliance with the federal tire fuel-efficiency regulation.
James MacIsaac Jr., NHTSA project engineer, will summarize test development research for the tire efficiency consumer information program. Tracey Norberg, senior vice president and corporate counsel for the Rubber Manufacturers Association, will present an overview of public policy issues affecting the tire industry.
“Our Industry's Interaction with the World Around Us” will be the topic of Session II on the morning of April 19. The session will begin with Joseph Bachman, environmental scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, discussing how low-rolling-resistance tires are a critical tool in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
John Emerson, director of industry standards and government regulations for Michelin North America Inc., will examine methods of improving passenger tire fuel economy. Ronald Medford, NHTSA deputy administrator, will talk about the tire industry's role in the future of vehicle safety and fuel economy.
David Rohweider, chassis global chief engineer for Ford Motor Co., will discuss the impact of tire technologies on global automotive development. John Baldwin, principle scientist-vehicle engineering for Exponent Inc., will discuss how tire industry policies affect retail consumers.
“Life Cycle—From Raw Materials to End of Life” will be the theme of Session III on the afternoon of April 19. The session will begin with Glenn Maidment, president of the Rubber Association of Canada, discussing the “Extended Producers Responsibility” product life-cycle program required in much of Canada and Europe.
David Chapman, director of global EHS sustainability at Goodyear, will present the results of a study showing that tire wear particles are not harmful to the environment or human health. Judy Douglas, technical marketing manager for Lanxess Corp., will review the role of solution SBR in improving tire safety and fuel economy.
Michael Fraley, PanAridus LLC CEO, will discuss his company's efforts to commercialize guayule rubber as a raw material for tires. Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training, will outline the state of tire repair and problems faced by tire dealers who perform such repairs.
“Facts” is the title of Session IV, which closes the conference April 20. “Tire Future Intelligence” will be the topic of the talk by Alessandra Ferraris, director of R&D-the Americas for Continental Tire the Americas. Kurian Abraham, editor and managing director of Dhanam Publications Pvt. Ltd., will discuss challenges and opportunities in the Indian tire industry.
Avishay Novoplanski, CIO of Galileo Wheel Ltd., will present his company's innovative approach to tire and wheel design. Michael Moon, vice president-engineering for SciTech Industries, will discuss his company's research into non-pneumatic tires.
Daniel Salazar, project manager-product development steel cord for Bekaert Corp., will talk about his company's innovations in steel cord manufacturing.
Registration for the conference is $995 per attendee.
For more information or to register, go to Clemson University's website, www.clemson.edu/success or call 800-258-1017 or email [email protected]