Smithers promotes Matt Kent to general manager of Tire & Wheel Test Center

Akron, OH – Smithers announces that Matt Kent has been promoted to the role of General Manager of the Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center.

In his new role as General Manager, Kent will lead the team at the Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center to ensure the delivery of accurate data, on time, and the development and nurturing of high-touch relationships. His duties will include researching and developing new capabilities that align with the changing needs of Smithers’ clients in the tire and wheel industry.

Kent first joined Smithers in 2017 as the Technical Director of the Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center, where he focused on the Smithers force and moment (F&M) testing operations, staff management, and technical decision making. He has also managed the partnership between Smithers and six global tire manufacturers that introduced a new MTS Flat Trac CT+ system and facility expansion to the Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center in 2018.

“With his years of experience in the tire industry and his deep expertise in testing and validation, Matt can offer unmatched support to our valued clients and shape the future of the Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center based on their visions for the future of tire development,” said Jim Popio, PhD, Vice President, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division.

Kent has over 23 years of experience in the tire industry, in the areas of machine design, operation, and use, as well as management of capital-intensive assets and people.

Before joining the team at Smithers, Kent spent 17 years in research and development and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Kent has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, is certified in FARO Measurement Systems, and has undergone training in Lean and pneumatic systems design.

The Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center offers a broad range of testing services for measuring performance, durability, and other characteristics of passenger car, light truck, agricultural, fleet truck, off-the-road (OTR), and specialty tires. Smithers also has tire testing laboratories in China and the United Kingdom, providing testing services and accurate data on a global scale.