AKRON — Tire, rubber and plastics consultancy firm Smithers Rapra has hired Brad Wurst, a former Bridgestone Americas and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. engineer, as a tire engineering consultant.
Mr. Wurst brings nearly 37 years of experience to his position in Smithers' technical consulting group, where he will provide guidance and solutions that address clients' development and quality-related challenges, the Akron-based consultancy said.
He also will help clients develop plans of action to implement solutions for their tire design needs.
"Brad has had a long, successful career in tire development and analysis, and he has a strong understanding of the needs of major tire manufacturers," James Popio, vice president of North American Operations, Smithers Rapra, said.
"He will provide significant value to our current and prospective clients through our consulting advice, analysis, and reporting."
Mr. Wurst most recently was a commercial tire development engineer at Cooper Tire, from 2010-17. Prior to that he spent 29 years with Bridgestone Americas in a variety of engineering positions, including project engineer/Latin America tire development; project engineer, Dayton Tire; and engineer in Cooper's advanced tire engineering department.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron.
Smithers Rapra said the hire supports its strategy to expand services to the global tire industry.