Smithers Is Ready To Test Tires To Comply With New Standards

AKRON, Ohio, July 2 -- Smithers Scientific Services Inc. says it has made preparations to provide testing in accordance with the new and more stringent tire performance requirements issued June 23 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"We have traditionally provided compliance and research testing for a variety of clients, including NHTSA, as well as the tire manufacturers and raw material suppliers, and we expect to do the same with the new standard," said Michael Hochschwender, Smithers president and chief executive officer.

Smithers conducts compliance tire testing at its indoor laboratories in Ravenna, Ohio, and materials testing on tire components at its Akron laboratories. In addition, tire performance tests and evaluations are conducted at the company's winter test facility near Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

The TREAD Act of 2000 mandates NHTSA revise and update its safety performance requirements for tires, and on June 23, the agency issued the final rule for new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 139.

Smithers is a leading independent testing, research and consulting firm, serving an international client base in the tire, automotive, elastomeric, chemicals, plastics and aerospace industries. For further information, log onto its Web site: www.smithersscientific.com .