Bruce Meyer

Akron

I am Editor of Rubber News. We cover the tire and rubber product industry. I also am a long suffering Cleveland baseball fan. RTs don't = endorsement.

Articles

GlobalData forecast: Tariffs could cost U.S. up to 1.5M units in light vehicle sales

2 weeks ago | tirebusiness.com | Bruce Meyer

DUBLIN, Ireland—The U.S. can expect light vehicle sales to drop by between 1 million and 1.5 million units in 2025 if the tariffs put in place by the Trump administration stay intact. That prediction was part of an auto market report delivered by Robert Simmons, responsible for tire and rubber market research for GlobalData, on April 9 at the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers's Annual General Meeting in Dublin.
International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers honors General Award, Technical Award winners

2 weeks ago | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

DUBLIN, Ireland—The leader of a Taiwan-based maker of thermoplastic elastomers and other chemicals, along with a professor at a Chinese university, were honored at the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers' Annual General Meeting in Dublin. LCY Group Chairman Bowei Lee received the 2025 IISRP General Award, while Zhang Liqun, currently a professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University in China, was the Technical Award honoree during an April 8 ceremony.
GlobalData forecast: Tariffs could cost U.S. up to 1.5M units in light vehicle sales

2 weeks ago | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

DUBLIN, Ireland—The U.S. can expect light vehicle sales to drop by between 1 million and 1.5 million units in 2025 if the tariffs put in place by the Trump administration stay intact. That prediction was part of an auto market report delivered by Robert Simmons, responsible for tire and rubber market research for GlobalData, delivered April 9 at the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers's Annual General Meeting in Dublin.
ARG Industrial using multi-pronged approach to growth

3 weeks ago | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska —Slowly but surely, ARG Industrial is spreading its footprint beyond its Alaska roots. The Anchorage-based distributor of hose, fittings and rigging products is using a multi-pronged approach to growth, through acquisitions, opening greenfield sites, and even through its digital platform, according to Mike Mortensen, president and CEO of ARG Industrial.
Meyer: DEI is not a four-letter word

3 weeks ago | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

In a perfect world, there shouldn't be a need for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Everyone would be treated the same, have equal opportunities, and our world and the businesses in it would reflect that. But the world we live in doesn't work that way. Given the anger with which many in the U.S. view DEI today, some of you may not agree with what I have to say.
A look back to Bridgestone's early years at LaVergne tire plant

2 months ago | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

When Bridgestone Americas closes its truck/bus tire plant in LaVergne, Tenn., at the end of July, Japanese parent company Bridgestone Corp. will be closing the book on its first foray into manufacturing in the U.S.Before Bridgestone bought Firestone in 1988, the Tokyo-based firm five years earlier had dipped its toes into the U.S. market by purchasing the Tennessee factory. During the decade that followed, the factory and its place in the organization took a variety of twists and turns.
Registration open for Rubber News 2025 Best Places to Work program

Jan 16, 2025 | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio—It's time once again to find out which companies qualify as Rubber News Best Places to Work. This is the sixth year our publication has conducted the survey program, but this year we're adding a twist. Rather than just announcing the overall winner in an issue of Rubber News, we're going to invite the finalists to the Global Polymer Summit, where we will unveil the overall Best Place to Work in the rubber industry. The Global Polymer Summit is Sept.
On innovative thinking: 5 leadership questions with Ticpo's Rob Lyons

Nov 25, 2024 | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

Rob Lyons has been in rubber goods distribution for decades, but you won't find him living in the past. The Tipco Technologies Inc. name goes all the way back to 1888, and his parents took ownership in 1982. Rob and his sister, Terri Lyons, took over the business in 2001, and in late 2023, Tipco merged with HydraTech Industrial Solutions under the ownership of private equity firm, Denver-based Platte River Equity.
Premier Hose Industrial succeeds with niche, made-to-order hoses

Nov 10, 2024 | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

SAN DIEGO—There's a simple reason Premier Industrial Hose Manufacturing Ltd. doesn't have a catalog of all the goods it produces. It's because as a maker of specialty hoses, virtually everything the Granby, Quebec-based firm produces is made to order. Everything that is a bit out of the ordinary, according to Vice President Marco Giusti. "We were born to do whatever the others don't, or don't like to do. Odd sizes, odd hoses," he told Rubber News. "Anything that is custom made or custom built.
Meyer: Someone new, memorable across my radar at NAHAD

Nov 10, 2024 | rubbernews.com | Bruce Meyer

During my nearly 37 years reporting on the tire and rubber industry, I've come across all types of individuals and companies. I've covered multi-billion dollar global conglomerates, as well as many of the small- and medium-sized players that in many ways are the heart of the rubber industry. When I addressed a conference earlier this year, I told the audience that everybody has a story to tell. And sharing those stories is what I enjoy doing best.