Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo and Latin Auto Parts Expo postponed (updated March 17. 6 p.m.)
The organizers of the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo and Latin Auto Parts Expo have postponed the joint event, scheduled for July 14-17 in Panama City, Panama, to Nov. 17-20 in response to the threat of the coronavirus.
The rescheduled event, which features two trade shows that previously were held separately, will take place at the recently opened Amador Convention Center in Panama City.
The event’s organizers, Latin Expo Group L.L.C., said they expect over 400 exhibitors and 5,000 visitors from all over Latin America and the Caribbean to attend the expos.
For additional information, please contact Linda Bassitt, president of Latin Expo Group, at: [email protected].
International Silicone Conference rescheduled (updated March 17. 4:10 p.m.)
With the health and safety of exhibitors, organizers and attendees in mind, the International Silicone Conference, originally planned for May 13-14, has been rescheduled and will instead be offered Nov. 9-10 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
The program, organized by Rubber & Plastics News, will be hosted at the same venue, The Sheraton Suites Cuyahoga Falls.
“Our first consideration under these difficult circumstances must be for the health and well-being of all involved while we all seek to contain the spread of the virus,” Rubber & Plastics News’ event organizers said in a statement. “We thank you for your understanding during these extraordinary times.”
The International Silicone Conference is a biennial event that attracts leaders in the silicone industry from throughout the world.
Learn more at the conference website.
Fort Wayne Rubber and Plastics Group reschedules meeting (updated March 17, 11:53 a.m.)
Because of many company travel restrictions implemented due to coronavirus concerns, the Fort Wayne Rubber and Plastics Group has postponed its April 8 meeting slated to take place at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.
The organization will look to reschedule the meeting for sometime in September, and a finalized date will be “available soon,” the group said.
“Due to COVID-19 concerns and company travel restrictions, the board unanimously voted to move the meeting at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to September,” the group stated on its website today.
Upcoming events for the group, which has about 200 members, include a social event June 10; a golf outing June 11; a technical meeting Sept. 23; and the Christmas Party Dec. 3.
Federal continues with tire operations (updated March 17, 10:47 a.m.)
Federal Corp.'s factories in Taiwan are operating at normal capacity, according to Federal Tire North America L.L.C., the firm's U.S. subsidiary.
Federal has implemented "stringent safety measures" and "precautionary protocols" throughout its organization, the Torrance, Calif.-based unit said in a prepared statement issued amid the COVID-19 status reporting.
Production at the company's two plants in Taiwan are operating at normal capacity, the company reports, "continuing to fill orders with guaranteed on-time delivery."
The company did not comment on the status of its factory in China.
Federal said its domestic travel for employees has been suspended to "protect the well-being of our partners and associates."
The company encouraged customers to contact Federal representatives with questions, and said it would be able to supply additional products for customers whose distribution networks have been compromised.
Taipei, Taiwan-based Federal Corp. opened its U.S. sales company in Torrance in 2016.
- Tire Business
Marangoni Tread North America remains operational (updated March 16, 4:52 p.m.)
Marangoni Tread North America has assured customers that the Madison, Tenn., plant remains operational during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are taking active steps to prevent any interruption in our business processes,” the retread products manufacturer said in a March 16 press release.
Marangoni is following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention for employers to protect the health and safety of their employees during the pandemic, according to the company.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and evaluate additional measures to support our customers and associates as needs arise,” it said.
NAHAD cancels annual convention (updated March 16, 12:03 p.m.)
NAHAD has canceled its upcoming annual meeting and convention for hose and accessories distributors and manufacturers because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The group made the decision March 13 after a conference call of the Executive Committee of the Annapolis-based association. The meeting was scheduled for April 24-29 at the Atlantis Paradise Island hotel in Nassau, Bahamas.
More details about that cancellation can be found here.
Late last week, the ACS Rubber Division canceled its Spring Technical Meeting as the coronavirus pandemic grew.
American Coatings Show and Conference postponed (updated March 16, 10:48 a.m.)
Organizers of the American Coatings Show and Conference have postponed the 2020 event, set for March 31 through April 2 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, to a time later this year.
“After careful consideration and in response to the continuing developments surrounding COVID-19, the organizers of the American Coatings Show and Conference 2020 announce that the ACS/ACC will be postponed to a later date in 2020,” the group stated on its website.
The new dates will be announced by the organization when feasible, according to its website, and organizers will look to keep the show at the same venue.
Check back at american-coatings-show.com for more information. Questions can be sent to [email protected].
Conti postpones shareholders' meeting (updated March 16, 10:39 a.m.)
Continental A.G. is postponing its 2020 annual shareholders’ meeting, originally planned for April 30, in the wake of Lower Saxony’s decision to ban large events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conti said it plans to keep the event in Hanover and will announce a new date “soon.”
“As much as we regret postponing our shareholders’ meeting, we fully support the efforts of the authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” CEO Elmar Degenhart said.
According to Conti, annual shareholders’ meetings must be held by the end of the eighth month of a fiscal year by law. In the case of Continental, that will be in August.
- Tire Business
World Adhesive & Sealant Conference postponed (updated March 13, 2:29 p.m.)
The World Adhesive & Sealant Conference for 2020, set to take place from April 20-22 at the Hilton Chicago, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Organizers of the conference said today that because of the outbreak and subsequent decision by the state of Illinois to ban gatherings of 1,000 people or more, the decision was made to postpone the conference to sometime later in 2020.
Organizers are looking to keep the conference at the Chicago Hilton, they said, and updates will be posted at wac2020.org. People can also email [email protected] for more information.
"The health and well-being of all of our attendees, exhibitors, speakers and sponsors are of the utmost importance," states the wac2020 website. "ASC will continue to keep you informed of further details related to the postponement and rescheduling."
Those who already have booked rooms at the Hilton Chicago can visit corp.hiltonbusinessonline.com for more information.
Clemson Global Tire Conference canceled (updated March 13, 11:52 a.m.)
The 38th Clemson Global Tire Conference has been canceled.
It had been set for April 28-30 at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C.
“Our Tire Conference attendees have always been our number one priority, because we know that without you there would be no conference,” Nan S. Johnston, director for the Center for Corporate Learning at Clemson University, wrote in an email. “However, given the growing concerns around COVID-19 and under the direction of University Officials, we have made the difficult decision not to convene.”
The conference still could be held in June, she said. That decision will be made later.
Those who registered for the conference can have the university hold their payment for now, seek an immediate credit card payment refund, or have their invoices voided.
Mid-American Trucking Show canceled
The organizers of the Mid-America Trucking Show have canceled the 2020 show, which was scheduled for March 26-28 in at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Show organizer Exhibit Management Associates Inc. said it reached the decision after consulting with exhibitors, attendees, supporters and partners, including Kentucky Venues, Louisville Tourism, Kentucky Governor’s Office, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Families Services
“In light of today’s extraordinary circumstances and with an abundance of caution, this decision has been made with the health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, employees, and show partners in mind,” the business said March 12.
One day earlier, the organizer said an "overwhelming majority" of the 850-plus exhibiting companies had affirmed their commitment to participate in the show and that over 50,000 attendees has pre-registered.
The show management pledged to return “stronger than ever” in 2021, which be the show’s 50th anniversary event. The tentative dates are March 25-27, 2021.
All paid attendee registrations and registration fees are being moved to 2021, the organizer said.
Those who booked hotels through Louisville Tourism will have their reservations automatically canceled with no cancellation fees, Exhibit Management Associates said. Those with questions are requested to call 800-743-3100.
Those who booked directly through hotels are urged to contact the hotel directly to cancel reservations.
- Tire Business
Plastics Industry Association cancels lobbying event (updated March 13, 11:17 a.m.)
The spreading coronavirus outbreak has prompted the Plastics Industry Association to cancel the industry's largest political lobbying event and its late March board meeting in Washington.
The March 12 evening announcement from the trade group said parts of board meeting, originally scheduled for March 24-26, will be moved to a virtual platform at a later date.
As well, the Washington-based association said the March 25 lobbying day, the Plastics Industry Fly-In, will be rescheduled to a later date to be determined. The 2020 Posthumous Plastics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will also be rescheduled to an unspecified date.
The decision came after the federal government said earlier in the day that the U.S. Capitol and related buildings housing offices for members of the Senate and House would be restricted to official business through at least the end of March.
"As a precaution for the safety of our members, guests, and staff amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic, I, along with the (association's) board chairman, have decided to cancel the spring board meetings and Plastics Industry Fly-In," President and CEO Tony Radoszewski said. "Moving some aspects of the meeting to a future date demonstrates the continued commitment to the important work of (the group's) membership during this critical time."
The association said it would continue to monitor the coronavirus impact.
"Our principal concern is the safety and wellness of our members, attendees, staff, vendors and the plastics industry," Radoszewski said. "As such, we will continue to follow the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding COVID-19, and take every precaution to keep our staff safe and our office open for business as we conduct these virtual meetings."
Automotive News postpones World Congress (updated March 13, 10:49 a.m.)
Automotive News postponed its annual World Congress, originally scheduled for March 24-25 in Detroit.
Automotive News is looking to reschedule the event sometime in summer of 2020, it said in a notice to registrants March 12.
"The decision was made following consultations with sponsors, speakers, pre-registered visitors, and considering the significant impact of travel at this time," the notice said. "We are confident we can find new solutions, but our first consideration under these difficult circumstances must be for the health and well-being of all involved in the event while the government seeks to contain the spread of the disease."
Marangoni remains operational (updated March 12. 4:39 p.m.)
Italian retreading equipment manufacturer Marangoni S.p.A. is continuing to operate in the face of strictures set by the Italian government to arrest the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
“Our company’s activities in Italy are fundamental to support essential services such as goods and people transportation,” Marangoni said in a statement issued from its headquarters in the northern Italian town of Rovereto.
“For this reason, despite the complexity of a situation that is changing all the time, Marangoni is not stopping and is acting with commitment and determination to continue to produce,” the company said.
Marangoni is in total compliance with the March 11 decree issued by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte that essentially placed the whole nation on lockdown.
“The company will continue to satisfy our customers’ needs while respecting the measures provided by the responsible authorities,” Marangoni said.
Marangoni has also arranged for all employees who can work remotely to work from home, the company said.
To date, Italy is the European country hardest hit by the coronavirus, and second only to China as the nation most affected by the pandemic.
As of March 12, at least 12, 462 Italians had been diagnosed with the virus, including at least 1,016 deaths.
In his decree, Conte advised Italians not to travel beyond their home areas. He ordered all schools to be closed, and also all retail businesses except for groceries and pharmacies.
TIA postpones Lobby Day, Environmental Summit (updated March 12, 12:02 p.m.)
The Tire Industry Association is postponing its Lobby Day and Environmental Summit, which were scheduled for Washington May 6-7, as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus.
“With uncertainly about the impact and spread of the virus, we determined it would be best to postpone these events,” TIA CEO Roy Littlefield III said in a statement.
TIA had planned the back-to-back events as part of several celebrations of the association’s 100th anniversary, according to a TIA press release.
The association will reschedule Lobby Day and the Environmental Summit as soon as the virus subsides, TIA said. It does not anticipate that the pandemic will have any effect on plans for the Global Tire Expo/Specialty Equipment Market Association Show scheduled for November in Las Vegas.
American Chemical Society cancels spring meeting (updated March 12, 10:15 a.m.)
The American Chemical Society's Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo, planned for March 22-26 in Philadelphia, has been canceled as COVID-19 continues to spread.
“Safety is a core value of the American Chemical Society, and it permeates all of our actions, activities and events,” CEO Thomas Connelly Jr. said in a statement “With the Pennsylvania governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency March 6, we do not feel we can guarantee the safety of the 15,000 attendees expected for the Philadelphia meeting or of the city residents themselves.”
The ACS, which has more than 152,000 from more than 140 countries, claims to be the world's largest chemistry organization.