The Tire Society unveiled its speaker lineup for the 43rd Annual Conference, which will be held from 11 to 13 September 2024 at the University of Akron in Ohio.
This premier technical event for advancements in tyre science and technology boasts a keynote address, a plenary lecture, and an awards banquet featuring a tyre-related speaker. Over 25 original technical presentations by international tyre scientists will also be featured.
The Tire Society, the world's leading technical organisation for tyre science, engineering, and technology advancement, is a non-profit dedicated to disseminating knowledge and stimulating scientific and engineering developments in tyres.

Expanded Conference Format
Building on its success, the conference extends two to a half days, allowing for increased attendee interaction. Registration includes annual Tire Society membership, granting full access to the vast archive of the Journal of Tire Science and Technology (over 50 years of articles). Additional benefits encompass on-demand replays of technical presentations and discounted registration for the University of Akron's Tire Mechanics Short Course.
Global Representation in Research Presentations
A global audience can expect high-calibre research presentations from Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Tyre-related topics include rolling resistance, durability, noise, molecular and constitutive modelling, traction, handling, vehicle dynamics/simulation, manufacturing, intelligent tyre systems, active suspension, and machine learning. An interactive student poster session fosters connections between attendees and the next generation of tyre specialists.
Keynote and Plenary Speakers
The conference welcomes Rob Williams, President of Hankook Tire America, as this year's keynote speaker. His address, "Adapting to Change: Leveraging Technology as a Catalyst for Innovation," reflects his extensive experience of over 33 years in the automotive and tyre industries. Before Hankook, Williams held leadership positions at AAA Carolinas (Automotive Car Care Centres Vice President), Michelin (Commercial Sales & Operations Regional Director and Commercial Operations Vice President), and Goodyear Tire & Rubber (District Manager).
Tom Ebbott, Vice President of Endurica, LLC, will deliver the plenary lecture. Dr Ebbott, recognised for his leadership in tyre modelling, simulation, and workflows, holds a PhD in fracture and crack growth in polymers from the University of Wisconsin. He joined Endurica in 2022 after 35 years at Goodyear, where he held various technical and leadership roles in product and technology development, modelling and simulation, and material characterisation. Dr. Ebbott also played a key role in multiple technical partnerships and spent two years as Manager of Computational Mechanics at Goodyear's Luxembourg Technical Center. His contributions include numerous publications and awards.
Banquet Speaker
The banquet speaker will be Anand Jagota, professor and founding chair of the bioengineering programme at Lehigh University. Dr. Jagota, with over 115 refereed journal articles and three book chapters, focuses his research on biomaterials, biomechanics, and nanobiotechnology. His group explores the properties, processing, and modelling of DNA interactions with nanomaterials, particularly DNA-carbon nanotube hybrids. Additional research areas include nanomechanics, biomechanics, adhesion, and friction. Dr Jagota's lab currently investigates biomimetic fibrillar interfaces for enhanced adhesion, friction, and compliance through near-surface architecture design. The ongoing research projects include solution-based processing of carbon nanotubes, the biomimetics of fibrillar adhesion, and adhesion/mechanical properties.

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.