Tire Industry Leaders Release Collaborative Tire Model Library Subscription Service

(North Canton, Ohio) – April 30, 2025 – Stackpole Engineering Services, Inc, renowned for their expertise in tire and vehicle model development and virtualization technology, and Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services proudly announce the launch of Virtual Tire Lab.

Virtual Tire Lab, powered by Stackpole Engineering Services and Smithers, is the first platform of its kind: a comprehensive tire model toolset for analyzing tire test data and comparing, contrasting, and adjusting virtual tire models for use in design analysis, simulation, and model certification. Virtual Tire Lab utilizes a unique subscription model to provide clients with access to a constantly growing library of passenger and light truck tire models. New models are added to the Virtual Tire Lab library regularly, including passenger, light truck, and EV tires. All models are MF6.2 UM14 Handling Models.

“More and more, tire companies are turning to simulations and virtual tire models to test concepts earlier in the tire development process, especially as they integrate tire choices with new vehicle platforms,” said Jim Popio, PhD, Vice President, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division. “Recognizing a shared opportunity, Smithers and Stackpole have combined forces to accelerate our clients' market entry through this new product offering. "Virtual Tire Lab combines nearly 100 years of tire testing expertise from Smithers with Stackpole’s extensive knowledge of intricate, high-resolution tire models for various vehicle types. The two companies have been working together for over a decade to bring tire modeling solutions to a variety of clients across the tire and automotive industries.

“As tire and vehicle manufacturers migrate their design and development processes to the virtual world, there is a growing need for accessible tire model solutions” said Michael Stackpole, President, Stackpole Engineering. “The Virtual Tire Lab suite is the tool for supporting an ever-growing need for accurate tire models earlier in the design process”. To further the power of this service, all Virtual Tire Lab subscriptions include a license of Stackpole Engineering’s world-renowned tire data analysis and modeling studio software Agile Tire®. “Agile Tire® provides design and development engineers the ability to evaluate VTL’s tire data captured at the Smithers Tire and Wheel Test Center as well as the tire models developed by Stackpole Engineering”. Users can also leverage AgileTire® to modify tire model parameters in real-time and export models for use in commercially available vehicle simulation software and driver-in-the-loop (DiL) simulators.

Virtual Tire Lab is a peerless tool for:

• Vehicle OEM development teams.
• Tire manufacturers aiming to benchmark diverse models.
• Tier suppliers of suspension, powertrain, brake, and steering systems seeking to better understand how various tires interact with their systems earlier in the design process.

For more information about Virtual Tire Lab, please visit virtualtirelab.com or visit Stackpole Engineering Services at stackpoleengineering.com.

About Stackpole Engineering Services:

Stackpole Engineering Services, Inc. (SES) is a full-service provider of engineering solutions, taking an innovative approach to the most complex issues. What started in a home office following a 15-year career in the tire industry has grown into a fifteen-plus employee firm based in North Canton, Ohio. SES proudly serves clients across the globe and values the collaborative relationships we have established with our customers, partners, and vendors. Our team of industry leading professionals are skilled in tire testing and modeling, vehicle dynamics, data acquisition and analysis, vehicle simulation and engineering tool development. Stackpole Engineering Services understands the challenges facing our customers and what’s required to be successful in the virtual world.

About Smithers:

Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, cannabis, dry commodities, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.