Advanced RINGER 2000 machine installed at Volánbusz Hungary’s Plant
- By TT News
- August 25, 2023

Marangoni S.p.A., a prominent global player in the tyre retreading sector, is elevating Volánbusz Hungary’s retreading capabilities by introducing the advanced RINGER 2000 machine. This innovation helps heighten productivity and enhance reliability for Volánbusz Hungary’s retreading activities.
Commenting on the news, Leo Linkesch, Area Manager at Marangoni, said: “The RINGER 2000 offers Volánbusz Hungary a host of advantages: compared to the RingTreader 1000 previously used, it provides more balanced ring arrangement on the casing, thanks to its ten jaws instead of eight.”
Tamás Kovács, Technical Plant Manager at Volánbusz, expressed his enthusiasm for this significant upgrade, stating, “The RingTreader 1000 served us well for over two decades, but it’s time to embrace modernity. With the new RINGER machine, we are stepping into a more sophisticated era of retreading. Our primary goal is to further increase the quantity and quality of our RINGTREAD tyres production, particularly to cater to our extensive bus fleet, as we are the largest public passenger transport company in Hungary, operating around 6,000 buses nationwide.”
Volánbusz Hungary, a customer of Marangoni for an extended period, operates a successful retreading plant in Győr, strategically located between Budapest and Vienna. Initially equipped with a Multifunctional machine in the 1990s, the plant later upgraded to the Ringtreader 1000 model. The introduction of the RINGER 2000 machine now represents a significant step forward in refining its retreading operations. This machine is part of Marangoni’s cutting-edge range of equipment under the RINGTREAD System, characterized by its modular design and increased component standardization.
“Retreading is a sustainable business practice that allows us to recover tyres after their first life, ultimately saving energy and raw materials and significantly reducing waste, further reinforcing our commitment to delivering top-quality, sustainable, and efficient transportation solutions to passengers nationwide,” added Kovács.
For Volánbusz Hungary, retreading is pivotal to its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By investing in the RINGER machine and maintaining their utilization of the RINGTREAD System, the company actively contributes to a more ecologically conscious future.
To ensure a seamless transition and optimal performance with the new RINGER machine, representatives from Volánbusz Hungary visited Marangoni’s facilities in Rovereto and Ala, Italy.
RPG Group’s TyresNmore Elevates Rakesh Tatikonda To Chief Executive Role
- By TT News
- September 11, 2025

TyresNmore, the automotive aftermarket e-commerce platform owned by RPG Group, has promoted Rakesh Tatikonda to Chief Executive Officer and announced the change with immediate effect.
Tatikonda, who previously oversaw business operations at the Mumbai-based firm, will spearhead the organisation’s expansion and innovation strategy. The appointment advances RPG Group’s ‘Talent First!’ policy, which rewards internal promotions and develops employees.
The new chief executive brings over 15 years of industry experience, having worked across multiple sectors with companies such as telecommunications giant Reliance Jio and IT services provider Infosys. Before joining TyresNmore in 2022, Tatikonda held senior positions at tyre manufacturer CEAT, where he developed expertise in strategy, operations, marketing and digital transformation.
“My aim is to transform automotive aftercare in India by offering seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end mobility solutions delivered with trust, transparency, and convenience right at the customer’s doorstep,” Tatikonda said in a statement.
TyresNmore operates a doorstep service model for tyre and battery replacement across six major Indian cities: Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. The platform represents RPG Group’s entry into the growing automotive aftermarket sector, which has seen increased digitisation as consumers seek convenient maintenance solutions.
During his tenure in operations, Tatikonda scaled the business and improved profitability while driving digital transformation initiatives. His track record shows he strengthened operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience in the mobility convenience sector.
Vaculug Acquires Scotland's Tyrefair To Drive Northern Expansion
- By TT News
- September 11, 2025

Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader producing high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres for fleets across the UK and Europe, has expanded its UK presence by acquiring Tyrefair in Kinross, Scotland.
This strategic acquisition extends the company's award-winning service further north, ensuring Scottish customers receive the same high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres Vaculug has supplied for 75 years. Since the purchase, the Kinross location has already grown by 25 percent, with an ambitious target to double its business within a year and then double it again.
This move is a key part of Vaculug's 2026 growth strategy, focused on strategic acquisitions that enable better, faster and more sustainable customer service. The acquisition reinforces Vaculug’s long-standing environmental mission, marking a new chapter of sustainable growth with a strengthened Scottish operation.
- Nokian Tyres
- American Tyre Distributors
- All-Season Tyres
- All-Weather Tyres
- All-Terrain Tyres
- Winter Tyres
Nokian Tyres Partners With American Tire Distributors
- By TT News
- September 11, 2025

Nokian Tyres is expanding its US presence through a new nationwide partnership with American Tire Distributors (ATD). This agreement provides Nokian access to ATD’s vast network of over 110 distribution centres, serving roughly 80,000 customers.
The collaboration will efficiently supply tyre shops with Nokian’s complete product lineup, enabling dealers to broaden their inventory. Both companies bring 90 years of experience and a shared dedication to innovation, safety and sustainability. This partnership will offer drivers more choices, supported by Nokian’s award-winning Tennessee factory and ATD’s technology-driven logistics.
This enhanced distribution capability ensures that consumers will have greater access to a full spectrum of high-performance tyres, meeting diverse driving needs and conditions. The alliance strengthens both brands' market positions by combining premium products with an unparalleled delivery system, ultimately improving service for dealers and drivers alike across the country.
Chris Ostrander, SVP, North America, Nokian Tyres, said, “The partnership with ATD enables us to reach more tyre shops and more drivers than ever before. ATD’s robust distribution network, customer service and responsiveness strengthen our agility to serve both new and existing customers.”
- USTMA
- U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
- Tire Recycling Foundation
- Tyre Circularity
- End-Of-Life Tyres
- Tyre Industry Webinars
USTMA Announces Webinar Series To Advance Circular Economy For ELTs
- By TT News
- September 11, 2025

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has announced a new webinar series designed to advance the circular economy for end-of-life tyres (ELTs) in collaboration with the Tire Recycling Foundation. Titled ‘The Road to 100% Tire Circularity: ELTs Going Full Circle’, the initiative aims to foster the development of scalable and profitable markets for recycled tyres. The series will launch in September 2025 and continue through February 2026.
Hosted by John Sheerin, USTMA’s Senior Director of ELT Programs, each session will convene industry experts, recyclers and state policymakers. Their discussions will focus on the latest research and real-world applications that transform waste tyres into valuable resources, thereby diverting them from landfills and generating environmental, industrial and economic benefits.
The programme will explore three of the most promising markets for end-of-life tyres. It begins on 23 September 2025 with a session on tyre-derived aggregate (TDA), examining its use in civil engineering projects like structural fill and stormwater management. A subsequent webinar on 30 October 2025 will cover the growing market for moulded and extruded products made from recycled rubber.
A significant portion of the series will be dedicated to rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), a material known for creating longer-lasting and more sustainable roadways. An introductory session on 20 November 2025 will review the overall performance and benefits of RMA. This will be followed by two regional deep dives: one on 14 January 2026, focusing on practical applications in Midwestern states like Michigan and Ohio, and another on 28 January 2026, exploring its adoption in Southern states including Kentucky and Georgia. The series will culminate on 24 February 2026 with a capstone session providing a comprehensive overview of grant and funding opportunities available to support the growth of these ELT markets.
This initiative addresses a critical need. While tyres are one of the most recycled products in US, and stockpiles have been reduced by 94 percent over the past three decades, the generation of end-of-life tyres continues to outpace their consumption in recycling markets. The webinar series is presented as a strategic pathway to bridge this gap by promoting innovative and sustainable end-use applications.
Those interested in shaping the future of tyre management are encouraged to register for any or all of the webinars through the USTMA website. Attendees will receive a resource kit after each session to help facilitate further discussion and action.
Anne Forristall Luke, President & CEO, USTMA, said, “We view these webinars as a crucial opportunity to connect key leaders across the country and show them that sustainability and economic growth go hand-in-hand. By showcasing proven applications and providing the tools to act, we can collectively turn ELTs from a waste challenge into an economic engine.”
Sheerin said, “As we look to expand ELT markets and unlock the full environmental and economic potential of end-of-life tyres, collaboration is essential. And no one can do it alone. State DOTs, regulators, recyclers and manufacturers must work together to help grow ELT markets through targeted investment, supportive policy and continued research.”
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