LAS VEGAS — Richard Smallwood, president and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. (SRNA), will be the keynote speaker at the Tire Industry Association's 2017 Tire Industry Honors in Las Vegas Oct. 30.
Sponsored by Michelin North America Inc., the Tire Industry Honors will kick off the Global Tire Expo/Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas.
The event, where the 2017 industry Hall of Fame class will be inducted and other awards presented, will take place at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel on Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., TIA said.
Mr. Smallwood's speech will focus on the advent of driverless cars. He will discuss how driverless cars will increase vehicle miles traveled, and how they will force greater size uniformity in tires and auto parts, significantly reducing inventory, TIA said.
A 30-year veteran of the tire industry, Mr. Smallwood previously was chief operating officer of Falken Tire Corp. He is an executive officer of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., the Japanese parent company of SRNA and Falken.
Registration for the 2017 Global Tire Expo is available online. For more information on the Tire Industry Honors, contact LeAnn Harley at [email protected].