Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. (SRNA) recently commented on the induction of Richard Smallwood, its chairman, into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame.
Smallwood - along with Mary Sikora, longtime scrap tire recycling advocate - will officially join the Tire Industry Association's (TIA) Hall of Fame on Oct. 30 in Las Vegas,, Nev.
"This recognition comes as a testament to Smallwood's outstanding contributions and leadership within the tire industry," according to a recent statement from SRNA.
"Throughout his career, Richard Smallwood has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing innovative products, delivering exceptional customer service and going above and beyond for his employees.
"His visionary approach and strategic initiatives have played a pivotal role in Sumitomo Rubber North America's success and growth in the highly competitive tire market.
"Under Smallwood's leadership, the Falken Tires brand has achieved remarkable milestones, including the successful launch of groundbreaking products, expansion of manufacturing capabilities and the establishment of strong partnerships across the industry," say SRNA officials.
"His dedication to advancing tire safety, sustainability and performance has set a new benchmark for the entire industry."
"Richard Smallwood can be credited for a great deal of Sumitomo Rubber North America's success and growth over the years," notes Darren Thomas, current president and CEO of SRNA. (Thomas succeeded Smallwood as the company's president and CEO in January 2022.)
"Richard is a leader beloved by the entire SRNA family. We are extremely proud of his achievements and grateful for the lasting impact he has made on our organization and the tire industry, as a whole.”
Smallwood is currently chairman of SRNA, serves on the board of Sumitomo Rubber USA and is an advisor of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. of Japan. He has also held a position as a board member of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association for the past eight years.
The Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony, which will include this year's Hall of Fame inductions, begins at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2023, at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino. (According to TIA, this is a complimentary ticketed event, but advanced RSVP is required. To register, visit: https://www.tireindustry.org/events/gte/.)
