AKRON — Smithers Group Inc.has promoted Matt Kent to general manager of its Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center in Ravenna, Ohio.
Smithers, a testing and consulting firm that offers an array of compliance services, said Kent will "ensure the delivery of accurate data, on time, and the development and nurturing of high-touch relationships."
"With his years of experience in the tire industry and his deep expertise in testing and validation, Matt can offer unmatched support to our valued clients and shape the future of the Smithers Tire and Wheel Test Center based on their visions for the future of tire development," Jim Popio, vice president, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division, said.
Kent's duties also will include researching and developing new capabilities that align with client needs.
Kent started with Smithers in 2017 as technical director of the Smithers Tire and Wheel Test Center, with a focus on "force and moment" testing operations.
He has managed the collaboration between Smithers and six major tire manufacturers that introduced an MTS Flat Trac CT+ system and facility expansion to the Smithers Test Center in 2018.
Overall Kent has more than two decades of experience in the tire industry in machine design and operations.He worked for Goodyear for 17 years before coming to Smithers.
The Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center can measure performance, durability, and other characteristics of passenger car, light truck, agricultural, fleet truck, OTR and specialty tires. Smithers also has tire testing laboratories in China and the United Kingdom.
