GREENBACK, Tenn.—Ian Smith, CEO of Wyko Tire Technology, a subsidiary of Mesnac Co. Ltd., retired after a 37-year career in the rubber industry.
Smith joined Wyko in 1981, shortly after he came to the U.S. He helped the firm establish its manufacturing operation in Greenback and guided the operation in becoming a leader in the design and development of high precision tire building tooling, the firm said. The Greenback facility supplied tooling all over the world to international and local tire companies.
In 2009, Smith became a joint owner of Wyco, and in 2011 Mesnac acquired the firm. Smith had served as Wyco's CEO for the last two years.
Mesnac said Smith will leave a legacy of engineering leadership to the tire industry. He will be retained by Mesnac as a consultant and remain a director of Mesnac's North/Latin America sales region, but with a special focus on the South Africa region, the firm said.