Joseph Saoud, president of truck, bus and retread tires for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, will speak at the 34th annual Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference on Friday, April 20.

Saoud will speak as part of a panel session titled “Innovation, Efficiency and Sustainability.” His presentation will focus on how emerging trends such as electrification, autonomy and connectivity are shaping the future of transportation. He will discuss these trends in the context of the commercial trucking industry and examine the role tires will play in advancing smart, efficient and sustainable mobility, Bridgestone says.

“As mobility becomes more connected, tires will be a critical source for information to ensure fleet performance,” Saoud said. “It is hence important for tire manufacturers to think of dynamic and holistic tire solutions that can deliver major efficiencies for the trucking industry in the future.”

Developed in 1985, the Clemson Tire Conference is a three-day, interdisciplinary event designed to address developments in tire design, research and manufacturing in all allied industries. The conference, which takes place in Hilton Head, South Carolina this year, attracts attendees from around the world and is organized and presented by Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning and supported by many tire companies and auxiliary companies of the tire industry.