Smithers Rapra, a leader in rubber, plastics and composites testing expertise, has named Matt Kent as technical director of the Smithers Rapra Tire & Wheel Test Center in Ravenna.

In this position, Kent is responsible for overseeing current force and moment testing operations, staff management and technical decision-making. Kent will also be in charge of the commissioning of a new MTS Flat Trac CT+ system in spring 2018. His hire fills one of several new technical roles that support the new machine, which required a building expansion at the Ravenna laboratory. The expansion is expected to be completed by May 2018.

“Matt’s wealth of force and moment testing experience will help ensure our team hits the ground running with the Ravenna lab expansion,” said Dr. James Popio, vice president of Smithers Rapra North America. “His work on the tire manufacturing side of the business brings a technical perspective that will benefit all of our clients, from tire makers to automotive OEMs.”

With this expansion, the company said its clients will benefit from the expanded capabilities of the Flat Trac CT+ machine to handle the industry’s expansion into larger passenger and light truck tires.

Kent has 17 years of technical expertise in the tire industry and has been responsible for numerous tire testing machines, including the MTS Flat Tracs, spring rate, laser measurement, acoustic, uniformity, and high and low speed durability.