1. Please identify one significant development in the tire industry in the last 2-3 years, and explain its importance.

I would say that the way how the Tire Manufactures became more open to the innovations coming from the market (and their OEMs) was maybe one of the most significant developments. As result of this, we could take Material Handling and Mixing performances improvement. Both the aspects are influencing how the production is organized and flexible. Having a performing Green Tire Handling system will ensure the right flow between Tire Building area and Vulcanization, avoiding stacks and loss of productions. On the other hand, the Tire Manufacturer might be able to ensure the same flexibility when it goes to Rubber Mixing. Quick recipe changes based on tire performance requirements and new compounds with a continuous production cycle became necessary.

2. What do you see as main obstacles to the development of the tire manufacturing industry in the coming years?

The Digital Transformation is more and more showing how all the Tire Producers and, as consequence, their machine and technology suppliers have to face the risks and obstacles coming from the obsolescence of their production assets (Brownfields most affected). The need to maintain and improve the production targets, moving in the same time forward with the digital transformation, will put the Ecosystem under a strong pressure. In order to accomplish all the targets will be fundamental to go for a “Scalable Approach” through a people educational phase.

3. Which technologies will play the biggest role in shaping the ‘tire factory of the future’, and why?

I believe that all what related to network access, maintenance and safety would have a key role for the factories of the future. Because of the deep digitalization, the enhancement of the machines (in any sense from Information transfer capabilities to self-learning processes and predictive maintenance) and the higher level of control of the Manufacturing Intelligence, manufacturers need to build a modern, secure and reliable information infrastructure to connect assets with people and information flow, improving operational performance in the same moment. This is fundamental because Tire Industry is looking for productivity and enhancement of Quality and Customer experience. All the Information generated in the tire factory of the future might be used to take better and quicker decisions to minimize scraps, down-time and improve efficiency.

I would also mention full traceability and TAG RF-id. All the Tire Manufacturers are investing in these aspects due to the strong market requirement.

4. What major changes do you expect to see in tire manufacture and supply over the next few years?

Higher flexibility, in terms of quality, supply chain and access to the market (i.e.Tire leasing). I’m also sure that we will see an increased connection between the Tire Ecosystem participants. None of them could think to have the magic answer alone. I expect the Tire Manufacturers to rely more and more in their Suppliers as well as the Suppliers to become also a Consultant, which is obviously a challenge because it requires a change of mentality.

5. Any other points?

Many of the topics I mentioned (Material Handling, Performing Mixing processes, Asset optimization…) are also linked with the willingness of reducing production costs. In this direction additional key focus are Energy Management and Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO). In some cases Energy impacts even more than 30% of the overall production costs. Old assets, Storerooms, repairs are today allocating and immobilizing billions of $. The Technology Vendors and the OEMs are called to give their answers on these topics supporting Manufactures in long terms asset management programs.