KOCHI, India — John Powath, CEO of Asian Business Media, which publishes Rubber Asia and Tyre Asia magazines, died March 28 in Kochi, according to a story posted on the magazine's website.
A veteran leader of the Indian rubber industry, Mr. Powath was associated with the All India Rubber Industries Association for decades and played a key role in the growth of the association and its flagship event, the India Rubber Expo, Asia's largest rubber industry show.
Rubber Asia, the flagship publication of ABM that has been published for more than three decades, flourished under his leadership, according to the post.
"Today, it is Asia's premier and largest rubber industry magazine," the magazine wrote on its website. "It was under his vibrant initiative ABM launched two other internationally renowned publications, namely Tyre Asia and AutoParts Asia."
Mr. Powath also led the development of ABM's rubber events, including India Rubber Summit & Dinner, Asian Tyre and Rubber Conference, Asian Latex Conference and Asian Retread Conference. The magazine also wrote that his 'Unholy' series of articles in ABM's publications were widely acclaimed.
"For us working with ABM, he was a friend, philosopher and guide, and always a source of inspiration and encouragement," the magazine wrote.
Indian rubber industry leaders also paid tribute to Mr. Powath in the website article.
Ranjith Matthan, a friend of Mr. Powath and honorary member of the AIRIA, said: "It is indeed a time of great sadness for me when I was informed that John had passed away yesterday. I was aware of his serious illness and hoped that he would go into remission and recovery."
Mr. Matthan added that Mr. Powath and Kurian Abraham, Rubber Asia editor in chief, made "a good team and have brought respect and honor by serving the rubber, allied ancillary and downstream industries with an eminently worthy magazine."
This story first appeared on the website of Rubber & Plastics News, an Akron-based sister publication of Tire Business.