Sept. 30 issue: 2024 Global Tire Report; a look at leadership; coverage from IEC, NIBA

Spotlighted in this week's edition of Rubber News is the 2024 Global Tire Report, featuring the top 75 tire makers, data on world tire production facilities and more. Included in this special report is an analysis of the top tire makers, a breakdown of capital expenditures across the industry, and just what countries are producing the most tires, among other insights.

Also included in this report is coverage on the latest happenings throughout the tire industry:

• Michelin's Tweel is turning 10! How has this nonpneumatic tire changed the game and challenged the tire industry?
• California approved the first stage of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association's 6ppd analysis.
• ZC Rubber broke ground on a new tire manufacturing plant in Saltillo, Mexico.
• Bridgestone Americas and Penske Entertainment reached a five-year extension of Firestone's role as the exclusive tire supplier for NTT IndyCar Series races.

Hankook Tire America Corp. President Rob Williams says he learned the tire business from the ground up, and this has given him plenty of time to work on what kind of leader he wants to be. In an exclusive interview, the Hankook official shared with Rubber News his philosophy on leadership, as well as updates on the technology and innovation driving the tire maker's success.

Third-party contract workers with Firestone Liberia L.L.C. have voted to unionize with Firestone Agricultural Workers' Union of Liberia. Bridgestone, however, says the Tapping Contractor workers cannot join the FAWUL trade union.

ARDL is a testing lab that has been owned by the Samples family since its founding more than six decades ago. Now the founder's youngest son, Toby Samples, has come back home to serve as the firm's new president.

Mountville Rubber has plans to exceed industry expectations with the launch of a $22 million expansion and rebranding.

After years of discussion, Harwick Standard Distribution Co. and Neville Chemical Co. have determined they're a perfect match. As part of a new long-term agreement, Harwick Standard will be the exclusive distributor of Neville's low molecular weight thermoplastic and liquid resins.

After acquiring ChemRep, expanding reach and depth to its distribution capabilities, R.E. Carroll is eyeing even further growth.

Circularity defines the arc of Paragould, Ark.-based GRT Rubber Technologies L.L.C., which is concluding its first decade under the privately owned Main Street Capital.

ContiTech is offering a centralized data platform with the release of its Conti+2.0 system for belting customers.

LGV Coupling Inc. has always had its operations around the Los Angeles area, but that is going to change in the coming months as the firm moves to Shafter, Calif., to make room for its growth.

This issue's Technical Notebook features Oriental Silicas Corp.'s Tim Lin, Spencer Lee, Chris Wu, Danniel Liao and Walter Waddell and their look at sustainable silica from rice husk for the green tire tread.