February's recently concluded OTR Conference in Miami has
been declared “a complete success” by the Tire Industry
Association (TIA).
Highlights of the event included an outlook on the OTR tire
market for 2011, including industry numbers, from Michelin
North America’s Bruce Besancon.
While he predicted some growth in the economy, he cautioned
attendees to expect another tough year in the housing market
with more price increases to offset skyrocketing natural
rubber prices.
Bridgestone’s Shawn Rasey gave a keynote address that
emphasized the constant changes that attendees can expect
given the current state of the industry; senior executives
from Bridgestone, Michelin, Techking, Titan and Yokohama
answered questions from the audience in the OTR Tire
Manufacturers Panel.
Attendees also heard from six of the largest retreaders in
North America, who provided them with a brief look at their
companies and how they are using technology to produce the
highest-quality OTR retreads in history.
Harvey Buhr of Hitech demonstrated how his eco-friendly
pyrolysis process can turn scrap OTR tires into usable
products and energy such as carbon, oil, gas and
steel.
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Motivational speaker Don Yaeger wrapped up the conference
with an inspirational speech on the consistent
characteristics of greatness that he has developed over the
past few decades working with the greatest sports legends of
our time, including Warrick Dunn, John Wooden, Michael Jordan
and Walter Payton.
“With 443 attendees from 16 countries and 36 states in
attendance, in addition to sessions led by the top experts in
the OTR tire sector, it’s quickly becoming apparent that the
TIA OTR Conference is the ‘go to’ OTR tire event in the
world,” according to Executive Vice President Roy
Littlefield, who notes that this was the 56th year of the
conference, “and it’s abundantly clear that each year just
keeps getting better and better.”
Next year’s OTR Conference will take place Feb. 15-18 at the
Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage,
Calif.
For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org.
