RAC Sets Annual Summit Agenda

The Rubber Association of Canada’s annual Tire and Rubber Summit, which will take place June 16 at the Kingbridge Conference Centre and Institute in King City, Ont., will feature a "Driving Sustainability" theme.

The event will focus on the factors affecting rubber manufacturers in Canada and abroad as they deal with the challenges of raw material shortages, escalating and volatile commodity pricing and competitive market pressures.

“We believe this year’s program offers the very best insight into the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the tire and rubber industry and our roster of guest presenters is second to none,” said Glenn Maidment, RAC president.

The one-day Rubber Summit program costs $299 for RAC members and $349 for non-members. The Chairman’s Reception and Dinner is $149.

Event speakers and panelists include:

Rubber Materials Outlook – Bill Hyde, Chemical Market Associates Inc.; Mike Cadden, Ferguson Chemical Innovation; Greg Jagt, Astlett Rubber Inc.; and Jacob Homiller, Cabot Corp.

Rubber Manufacturing Outlook – Neil Henderson, National Rubber Technologies; Sylvain Dubé, Waterville TG Inc.; Robert Dodd, AirBoss Rubber Compounding; and Greg Davidson, Lanxess Inc.

Driving Sustainability: Getting to Zero Waste – Susan Sheehan, motumb2b; Wayne Maddever, Watson Brown HSM (Canada) Ltd.; and Bernard Grégoire, Hamilton Kent Inc.

Tire Industry Outlook – David Chapman, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; John Sheerin, Bridgestone Retail Operations; Peter Allen, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.; Oliver Winchiers, Continental Tire Canada Inc.; Riccardo Cichi, Pirelli Tire Inc.; and Jonathon Karelse, Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc.

In addition to the summit, the RAC is hosting its annual golf tournament the following day at St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Course, just a short drive from the Kingbridge Centre.

Details on registration, accommodations and golf are available on the RAC’s website, or by calling 905-814-1714 or e-mailing Helen at [email protected].

Bridgestone Americas will debut the Bandag Virtual Plant Tour at WasteExpo 2024, taking place May 7-9 in Las Vegas, NV. The company said this virtual experience will transport viewers inside a Bandag manufacturing plant to demonstrate the safety, reliability and positive environmental characteristics of retreaded tires.

“The waste and recycling industry has long been a leader in innovation and a space to promote and advance sustainability-focused technologies,” Brian Goldstine, president of retread solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said. “Through our new virtual experience, Bridgestone is able to demonstrate the technology, testing and time that goes into producing every Bandag retreaded tire and educate fleets on the importance of more cost-effective and eco-friendly tire solutions, regardless of their location.”