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RTA NEWS YOU CAN USE
March 31, 2017

WE NOTE, WITH MUCH SADNESS, THE PASSING OF INDUSTRY GIANT JOHN POWATH

Dear RTA Members and Industry Associates,

We have lost a great friend of the rubber, tire, and retread and repair industry, RTA Member John Powath, Asian Business Media publisher/founder, who died this week. John and Harvey have been friends for years, and John's support for RTA was valued immensely.

Here is his obiturary, as published on the Rubber Asia website (http://rubberasia.com). We send our love and condolences to John's family, friends and associates. He will be missed.

Asian Business Media CEO John Powath passes away
Mar 29, 2017 | News

With immense sorrow, we announce the sad demise of Mr. John Powath, CEO of Asian Business Media (ABM) and a veteran leader of the Indian rubber industry. He passed away at night on March 28, 2017, in Kochi (India).

A well-known personality in the global rubber industry, John Powath has a wide circle of friends and well-wishers in all sectors of the industry across the globe. His untimely demise is a great loss to the industry as a whole. He was associated with All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) for decades and has played a crucial role in the growth of the Association and its flagship event, India Rubber Expo (IRE), Asia's largest rubber industry show.

As CEO of ABM, he took Rubber Asia, the over 30-year old flagship publication, to enviable heights. Today, it is Asia's premier and largest rubber industry magazine. It was under his vibrant initiative ABM launched two other internationally renowned publications, namely Tyre Asia and AutoParts Asia.

He was the driving force behind the launch of ABM's internationally acclaimed rubber events such as India Rubber Summit & Dinner (IRSD), Asian Tyre and Rubber Conference (ATRC), Asian Latex Conference (ALC) and Asian Retread Conference (ARC). A man ever bubbling with an inborn sense of humour, his 'Unholy' series of articles in ABM's publications were widely acclaimed.

Late Powath's advice was sought by major industry players both at home and abroad for expanding their business as well as entering into crucial deals. For us working with ABM, he was a friend, philosopher and guide and always a source of inspiration and encouragement. In this moment of sorrow, we pray for the Eternal Peace of his Soul.

Glowing tributes
Indian rubber industry leaders have condoled the demise of John Powath and paid rich tributes to his outstanding leadership qualities.
Says Ranjith Matthan, a great friend of Powath and Hon.Member, All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA):

"It is indeed a time of great sadness for me when I was informed that John had passed away yesterday. I was aware of his serious illness and hoped that he would go into remission and recovery.

Kurian Abraham (Editor-in-Chief, Rubber Asia) and John have made a good team and have brought respect and honour by serving the rubber, allied ancillary and downstream industries with an eminently worthy magazine.

Kurian, with his editorial flair and competencies, and John with his persuasive skills and extraordinary networking capabilities have taken ABM to new heights. I am sure the Rubber Asia team will overcome this untimely loss and continue their excellent work serving the industry."

•     •     •

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"The medicine for my suffering
I had within me from the very beginning
but I did not take it.
My ailment came from within myself,
but I did not observe it until this moment.
Now I see I will never find the light
unless, like a candle,
I am my own fuel."
~ Bruce Lee