AKRON—At it's heart, the International Tire Exhibition & Conference is built around ideas. It recognizes and celebrates the ideas and innovations that are shaping the industry and defining its future.
But the Harold Herzlich Distinguished Technology Achievement Award, presented at each biennial show, honors the biggest ideas of them all. It is intended to celebrate those innovators who, through persistence and dedication, have advanced a paradigm shift in tire manufacturing, tire reliability or performance; or those whose rubber innovations have had a significant impact on the tire industry. It honors individuals who go beyond abstract concepts and push the evolution of tire manufacturing toward products that satisfy increasing expectations and demands.
And this year, for the first time, ITEC organizers are seeking nominations for the award. All nominations will be reviewed by committee, and those participating in the process are:
- Jim Popio, vice president, North America, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division;
- Bob McNabb, national sales manager, rubber plants, Zeppelin Systems USA;
- John Dick, technical editor of Rubber & Plastics News;
- Walter Waddell, senior technology consultant for Oriental Silicas Corp. and co-chair of ITEC and ITEC In Focus;
- Larry Evans, retired research analyst for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and co-chair of ITEC and ITEC In Focus; and
- Harold Herzlich, CEO of Herzlich Consulting and chairman emeritus of ITEC.
In 2018, the Harold Herzlich award was presented to Steve Cron, co-inventor of Michelin's Tweel technology, which re-imagined the tire with a built-in wheel made of polyurethane. The 2016 award was given to Andreas Limper, who was honored for his lifetime contributions to the industry. That included 35 patents on rubber and processing, having his work printed in about 180 publications and authoring several books.
This year's award winner will receive the Harold Herzlich Distinguished Technology Achievement Medal, a $1,500 honorarium and up to $1,000 in travel costs to attend ITEC, to be held Sept. 15-17 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. The recipient also will give a technical presentation on the innovation(s) that earned the award.
Nominations, which will be accepted through May. 8, should be submitted at itec-tireshow.com/itec_herzlich_award.cfm.