Smithers Rapra Webinar to Focus on Test Methods for Validating Imported Tire Quality

AKRON, Ohio - Nov. 16, 2017 - PRLog -- Smithers Rapra, a world leader in rubber, plastics, and composites testing expertise, announced today the next installment in its annual webinar series, titled "Validating Tire Quality: Developing an Effective Quality Program for Imported Tires."

The webinar, scheduled for December 7 at 11:00 am EST, will discuss the considerations that tire wholesalers and distributors must take into account when importing tires for sale in the United States. Vice President of Consulting at Smithers Rapra North America, Bruce Lambillotte, and Chad L. Mowery of Roetzel & Andress LPA will present an overview of the evaluation of tire quality against industry regulations and how to address the specific challenges facing importers.

"Importers of record in the US must consider specific legal obligations, as well as quality control programs," said Jim Popio, Vice President, Smithers Rapra. "In this webinar, Bruce and Chad will aim to help companies develop an approach to quality that meets both government and customer expectations."

During the one hour webinar, Lambillotte and Mowery will cover several key topics:

• Importer liability and regulatory requirements
• Standard practices for tire performance evaluation
• Investigative methods for tire performance
• How to develop a tire auditing program

After the presentation, there will be a 15-minute Q&A period during which attendees can pose questions to the speakers.

With over 42 years of experience in the rubber and tire industry, Lambillotte has expertise in rubber compounding, tire formulation, polymer chemistry and characterization, physical properties of elastomer materials, polymer product failure analysis, tire reinforcements, and product and process development. In his current position as Vice President of Technical Consulting, Lambillotte works with clients to understand material related research and development challenges, develop quality control processes, and evaluate product performance issues.

Chad Mowery is a partner at Roetzel & Andress, LPA. He focuses his practice on the representation of manufacturers in product liability and mass tort matters on both the local and national level. As part of that focus, he has spent over thirteen years representing entities within the tire industry, including a number of tire manufacturers and tire retailers. Mowery leads a team of lawyers at Roetzel who specialize in addressing the needs of automotive parts companies. These engagements have spanned from trying individual product liability matters to verdict to serving as national counsel for major tire manufacturers to providing litigation readiness advice to other companies within the tire industry. He received his B. A. from the University of Notre Dame and his J. D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Click here to register (https://www.smithersrapra.com/resources/2017/december/web...)for the webinar, or visit info.smithersrapra.com/webinars/ for information about additional webinars by experts from Smithers Rapra.

About Smithers Rapra:

Smithers Rapra has been a trusted partner of the rubber and plastics industries for over 90 years. Our business is built around delivering a complete portfolio of rubber and plastic testing services to support a wide range of industry sectors including tire, automotive, polymer products, oil and gas, medical device, pharmaceutical, transport, packaging, industrial, and consumer products. By integrating science, technology and business expertise, Smithers adds value throughout the life cycle of our clients' products. Please visitwww.smithersrapra.com.

About The Smithers Group:

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, The Smithers Group includes Smithers Apex, Smithers Avanza, Smithers Pira, Smithers Quality Assessments, Smithers Rapra, and Smithers Viscient. Each Smithers Group company provides technology-based services focused on a defined market. As a group, the diversity of market sectors and technologies provides stability and a platform for long-term growth. By integrating science, technology and business expertise, Smithers' goal is to add value throughout the lifecycle of our clients' products, by utilizing testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. All Smithers companies are known by their clients as Trusted Providers of Innovative Solutions. For more information, visitwww.smithers.com.

You can reach the Smithers Rapra North America office at:

425 West Market Street

Akron, Ohio 44303

Telephone: 330-762-7441