Smithers Rapra Vice President to Discuss Tires and Automotive Trends at Clemson Tire Conference

AKRON, Ohio - March 21, 2018 - PRLog -- Smithers Rapra, a world leader in rubber, plastics and composites testing expertise, announced today thatDr. James Popio, Vice President, North America, will deliver a presentation on the significant role that tires play in supporting automotive market trends at the Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, April 18-20.

Dr. Popio will present "Top 5 Opportunities in the Global Tire Industry and How Technology Can Meet the Challenge" at 1:50 pm on Wednesday, April 18. The presentation will include data and insight from the Smithers Rapra market report, "The Future of Global Tires to 2022" and will summarize:

• Growth trends by region, end-market and tire type
• Sensor technologies
• Material trends
• Regulations and market conditions

"The automotive market is going through some transformative changes, and tires play an important role in several of the megatrends that will help define the future of the industry," said Dr. Popio. "Smithers' research uncovers key areas of growth and change that will assist our clients with future planning and investments. It also helps to inform our own internal investments in regard to new testing technologies in support of our clients' needs."

The Clemson Tire Conference is a comprehensive interdisciplinary conference designed to address developments throughout the field of tire design, research, and manufacturing in all allied industries, whether directly or indirectly involved in tire construction. The conference hosts a global audience, with attendees from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and it includes an agenda of presentations on the latest in manufacturing technologies, product standards, regulatory issues, automotive trends, and financial forecasts.

Dr. Popio has worked in the tire and rubber industry for over 20 years and has spent his professional career working for and with tire manufacturers, tire dealers, automotive OEMs, industry suppliers, manufacturers, standards organizations, and government agencies. He has extensive experience in tire performance, characterization, and methods development.  His specific areas of tire expertise include force and moment, endurance, aging, government regulations, indoor tread wear, rolling resistance, and characterization for modeling. His degrees include a Ph.D. in engineering, a Master of Science, and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron.

Smithers Rapra operates laboratories in North America, Europe, and China, covering a wide variety of testing and consulting services from material chemistry and product durability testing, to tire, wheel and winter testing. Smithers' global network of ISO 17025 accredited tire test laboratories perform a wide variety of SAE, ASTM, ISO, UNECE and EC tests supporting raw material suppliers, tire manufacturers and automotive OEMs. For more information about Smithers Rapra visit www.smithersrapra.com.

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 visit www.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, visit www.smithers.com.

You can reach the Smithers Rapra North America office at:

425 West Market Street

Akron, Ohio 44303

Telephone: 330-762-7441