TRAINING, THE ECONOMY, DEALERS AND EVS

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TPMS: Chrysler Pacifica – 2022

Otr Tire Conference Covered Wide Range Of Topics

Mike Manges By

Training, the economy, the role of tire dealers and obstacles to vehicle electrification were hot topics at the 2023 Tire Industry Association (TIA) OTR Tire Conference in Tucson, Ariz.

The three-day event kicked off with several presentations, including a panel discussion in which Jeff Faubion, TIA/ Mine Safety and Health Administration compliance director for Bridgestone Americas Inc., and Roy Galyer, training manager for Klinge Holdings Pty Limited, discussed coming changes to TIA’s Earthmover Tire Service program.

Roy Littlefield IV, TIA’s vice president of government affairs, discussed legislative issues that are impacting the OTR tire segment.

Kevin Rohlwing, TIA’s chief technical officer, presented his annual economic forecast.

Representatives from four manufacturers shared their thoughts on the role tire dealers will continue to play in servicing OTR tires and end users as part of a panel discussion moderated by MTD Publisher Greg Smith.

Matt Futrelle, head of business field earthmoving and head of sales and marketing Americas, commercial specialty tires, Continental Tire the Americas LLC, said that his company has “dealers involved in every part” of the service process.

“I would echo the same thing,” said Chris Rhoades, vice president, OTDC, BKT USA Inc. “Our model is to partner with the dealer, who has access to the mines and is there every day.”

“The reality is that the service provided (by dealers) is the critical function,” said Bruce Besancon, vice president of marketing, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires Inc.

Panelists were asked to provide an update on what their employers are doing to incorporate recycled rubber into compounds and if end users are applying pressure in this area.

“The overall role of sustainability in our business is one of the most critical roles we’re going to have to deal with,” said Besancon. “Do we look at recycled materials in our factories? We sure do. A lot of that is recycling, (which) we already have at that factory as a first step.”

End users are asking for “transparency,” said Futrelle. “They are having to report to their boards, so they come to us and ask, ‘What percentage of recycled (materials) are you using?’”

Obstacles To Evs

In the conference’s keynote address, Doug Kershaw, president of BKT USA Inc. and BKT Tires Inc., discussed obstacles to full vehicle electrification — not just at mine and construction sites, but in general.

Kershaw cited projections from The Faraday Institution that reveal demand for electricity, excluding electric vehicles, will grow 30% by the year 2050 — an increase the United States’ power grid is currently unable to support.

It is estimated that “it will take $7 trillion” to bring the grid “up to speed” just to support present demand.

The supply of lithium, a key component in EV batteries, is another concern. “There’s about 88 million tons of lithium in the world today,” said Kershaw. “Only about a quarter of it can be economically mined. By 2027 and 2028, demand will begin to outpace supply.

“The good news is there is a lot being done today to find alternative battery sources. And I believe there will be a solution someday.”

However, if upgrades to the power grid aren’t made, “and I’m only talking about the U.S., we can’t get to full-electric.”