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Smithers Scientific Services Inc. of Akron is implementing a new snowtraction test system so its clients, who include all U.S. tire manufacturers, can conform to pending changes in severe-snow tire standards.
The Smithers technical team developed the proprietary testing procedures in response to a new, voluntary standard for snow tires proposed last year by the Rubber Manufacturers Association of the United States and the Rubber Association of Canada. Tests are being conducted in a Smithers-owned testing facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich,, according to J. Michael Hochschwender, the company's president and chief executive officer.
"This system was built from the ground up, using the latest technologies in instrumentation, data acquisition and data analysis," said Mr. Hochschwender, a former Navy SEAL.
Under the proposed standard from the associations, tires must be tested in snow conditions against an all-season control tire to determine their snow-traction performance. To qualify under the new standard, the tire being tested must exceed by at least...