Meyer: Gear up for 2022 with 'The Book'

I don't know about you, but I really am having a hard time believing we're at the end of 2021 and ready to jump into 2022. As is the tendency when the calendar turns from one year to the next, many take the opportunity to reflect on what has transpired and what is yet to come.

And we believe our second annual edition of "The Book" will help you on both counts.

If you're looking for data, there's plenty of it. You'll find the rankings of the top rubber product makers in North America, along with the largest global non-tire rubber goods producers and machinery firms. You'll also find the rankings of the world's top tire manufacturers, and the top automotive suppliers in North America and around the globe.

And if you're looking to see the top trends impacting those in the rubber and tire industries, you'll find our take on what is going on with the medical, silicone, automotive and tire technology sectors.

You'll also find much more in the 2021 edition of The Book. We've updated our listings and contacts for the associations, organizations and government agencies active in our sector. There are listings for custom mixers, lab and testing equipment suppliers, liquid silicone rubber processors and every tire plant around the world.

We also take a look at just how wide of an impact rubber has had throughout the U.S., offering not only a profile of one rubber-related firm from each state, but also what the economic impact the combined rubber and plastics sector has in all 50 states.

As I said last year, we think you'll find this issue to be equal parts reference, directory and almanac. It's something you'll want to keep on hand to remind you of what happened during 2021 and find information that will help you as 2022 progresses.

And just what this coming year will bring is anyone's guess, if 2021 is any indication. In what was a year of general regaining in many of our industry's sectors, companies had to deal with ongoing supply chain issues, tariffs, microchip shortages and the continued evolution of what the automotive business will look like in the future.

I want to close by again thanking you for the trust you have placed in counting on our publication as your news source for more than five decades, and our first year as Rubber News. That is not something we take for granted, and we look forward to continuing the journey together in the coming year.