HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.—Speakers from all sectors of the tire industry—including manufacturers, dealers, suppliers, association executives and government regulators—will address attendees at the Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference, scheduled for Hilton Head April 13-15.
The first session, scheduled for the morning of April 13, will be a pro-and-con session on two important industry subjects: high tariffs on tires imported from China, and tire manufacturers marketing tires online.
Speakers will be Freda Pratt-Boyer, senior auditor of Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. and past president of the Tire Industry Association; Mike Wolfe of Southeastern Wholesale Tire, and also TIA treasurer; Glen Nicholson, senior director of retail education at TBC Corp. and current TIA president; and John Evankovich, director of tire and battery centers at Sam's Club and a TIA director.
The second session, covering new technology, will be held the afternoon of April 13. Speakers will include Jack Ellenberg of the South Carolina Ports Authority; Brent Gruber of J.D. Powers Associates; Dale Freygang of Goodyear; Dennis Johnson of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Sean Kane of Safety Research & Strategies Inc.
The third session, covering the regulatory, legislative and economic outlook for the tire industry, will open the program on April 14.
Speakers will be Lewis Gossett of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance; Dean Tener of Smithers Rapra; Patrick Keating of Yokohama Tire Co.; Robert Squire of the National Transportation Safety Board; and Kurt Danielson of Bridgestone Americas Inc.
After the luncheon keynote speech by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the April 14 afternoon session will cover traditional and non-traditional tire materials. Speakers will be Steven Teertstra of Lanxess Inc.; Joel G. Neilsen of Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co.; Mark Argo of Eastman Chemical Co.; Alan L. Shirley of Hankook Tire Co.; and Christopher Napier of ExxonMobil Chemical Co.
The final session, on environmental efficiency and sustainability, will complete the conference on the morning of April 15. Speakers will be Tracey Norberg of the Rubber Manufacturers Association; Richard Gust of Liberty Tire Recycling; Shinya Nohtomi of Honda Motor Co.; Valerie Shulman of the European Tyre Recycling Association; and Harri Eskelinen of Test World Oy.
For more information about the conference, including registration and hotel information, go to http://www.clemsontireconference.com/.