Published: 7/23/2024
(Akron, Ohio) – July 23, 2024 - Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, announces that
Jim Popio, PhD, Vice President of North America and
Josh Guilliams, Vice President of Consultancy, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division, will be speaking at the
Traction Summit 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 13th and 14th. Smithers is the event producer and will also be present in the exhibit hall.
Traction Summit, in its 11th year, has become one of the tire industry’s premier events for vehicle OEMs, tire manufacturers, material suppliers, and regulators to gather, discuss new innovations, and collaborate on ways to address the industry’s toughest challenges.
Popio will kick off the event with a presentation on the future of sustainability in the tire industry. He will discuss current sustainability trends, introduce some of the conference’s key topics, and explore the many opportunities for continued improvement, from material development and tire engineering to manufacturing and recycling.
Guilliams’ presentation will examine the relationship between global regulatory and research activities and tire development and testing. He will focus on how governments around the globe are approaching environmental stewardship, from fuel efficiency to the effects of raw materials like 6PPD, and balancing these issues against tire performance and consumer safety.
“This year’s Traction Summit is diving into every part of the tire supply chain and the industry’s multi-faceted approach to sustainability, and Smithers is honored to be engaged in these important conversations,” said Popio. “We’re celebrating 100 years in the tire industry next year, and we are eager to support our valued clients as they continue to explore innovative sustainability solutions.”
Popio has been the Vice President of North America operations for the Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division since 2016, covering several key segments including automotive, polymer materials, consumer products, and packaging. He has over 20 years of experience in solutions development in the transportation industry and spent much of his professional career working for and with original equipment manufacturers, dealers, component manufacturers, standards organizations, and government agencies. Popio has a PhD in engineering and an MS and BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron.
Guilliams oversees Smithers technical consulting team based in Akron, Ohio. He manages client relationships and conducts in-depth investigations of rubber materials, products, and components. Prior to joining the team at Smithers, Guilliams worked at Polymer Valley Chemicals Inc., Hankook Tire, EASTMAN Chemical Corporation, LANXESS Corporation, and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
To register to attend the 2024 Traction Summit in Charlotte,
visit the conference website.
###
About Smithers:
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, cannabis, dry commodities, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.
