Smithers Rapra – an independent, third-party laboratory known for its rubber, plastic and composite expertise – has broken ground on the site of a new building expansion in its Ravenna tyre testing facility in Ohio, US.
The 10,000-sq ft building expansion at the Ravenna laboratory, the firm’s main centre for tyre testing in its North American operations, as well as the addition of several technical roles will support Smithers Rapra’s partnership with six of the top global tyre manufacturers, including Bridgestone Americas, Continental Tire, Cooper Tire & Rubber, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Hankook Tire, Michelin North America for the launching of a new tyre testing system.
The partnership helps fund the expansion, and supports the installation of the MTS Flat-Trac CT Plus Tire Test System at the Smithers Tire and Wheel Test Center in Ravenna. The expansion project at the Ravenna laboratory is expected to be completed by July 2018.
The new tyre testing system will provide higher wheel torque, as well as increased longitudinal and lateral load limits, allowing for the testing of most passenger car and light truck tyres currently on the market.
“The original Force and Moment partnership, created by Smithers and tire manufacturers, was established 30 years ago and has been a tremendous success for everyone involved,” Mike Hochschwender, president and CEO of Smithers Group, said in a statement.
“We’re building on that cooperation between Smithers and tire manufacturers with this new testing partnership to introduce a new MTS Flat-Trac CT Plus Tire Test System at the Smithers Tire and Wheel Test Center in Ravenna, Ohio. Sharing costs and access to the new machine allows all partners to benefit both technologically as well as economically.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by representatives from the six tyre firms as well as other guests including local politicians.