Raymond Labuda, vice president of tire technology at Hankook Tire Co., recently was honored by the University of Pittsburgh as a Distinguished Alumni of the college’s School of Engineering.

Labuda, who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, joined Hankook in 1992. He was tasked with planning and creating the tiremaker’s Akron Technical Center, which he continues to head today. In 1997, Labuda also contributed to the establishment of Hankook’s European Technical Center, located in Hanover, Germany.

Prior to joining Hankook, he spent 20 years working in various engineering, manufacturing and management capacities at Continental/General Tire Co., eventually rising to director of product development.

Labuda in involved in various industry organizations, including the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Chemical Society, Automotive Division of American Society of Quality Control and Tire Society.