Elmer Wiemer Of Heuver Group Passes Away
- By TT News
- May 14, 2025

Elmer Wiemer, Chief Financial Officer and designated Chief Executive Officer of Heuver Group, has passed away. The group shared the sad news in a statement announcing that he passed away on 4 May at the age of 48 after a brief illness.
Wiemer has had a lasting impact on the Heuver Group since he took office in 2020. As CFO, he played a pivotal role in bolstering the course, advancing the organisation's professionalism and attaining long-term success. His strategic vision and astute financial sense were always bolstered by a strong sense of accountability and a kind, humane leadership style.
“He was a true inspiration. Elmer’s legacy is tangible in the way we work together, in the culture he helped shape and in the ambitions he helped realise. We lose in him not only a leader, but also a warm personality, a dedicated colleague and a dear friend,” said Heuver Group management.
Tire Industry Association Opens Voting For 2025–26 Board Of Directors
- By TT News
- July 11, 2025

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has officially opened voting for its 2025–2026 Board of Directors election, with five seats available – four carrying a standard three-year term and one two-year term to fill a vacancy. Nine candidates, including two current board members, are vying for these positions.
The nominees include industry leaders from across the tyre sector: Stephen Callahan of Liberty Tire Recycling (Pittsburgh, PA); Jeff Campbell from Tire Discounters Inc. (Cincinnati, OH); John Evankovich representing Sam’s Club Tire and Battery Centers (Bentonville, AR); Darrel Jackson of Big O Tires (Kernersville, NC); Michael Jacobsen from Purcell Tire Company (Potosi, MO); Al Klinge of Klinge Group (Sherwood, Australia); Brian Laughlin with Technical Rubber Company (Johnstown, OH); Seth Murphree from Travel Centers of America (Anderson, SC) and Jason Rook of Independent Tire Dealers Group (Wimberley, TX).
All TIA members in good standing are eligible to vote either by mail-in ballot or online at the association’s election portal. The voting period runs from 9 July through 1 September 2025, with election materials distributed to primary contacts at qualifying member companies.
Results will be announced in mid-September, and the newly elected directors will be formally installed during TIA’s Annual Membership Meeting on 3 November 2025, in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show. This election marks a key opportunity for members to shape the association’s leadership and strategic direction for the coming years.
Maxion Wheels Pioneers Advanced Wheel Solutions For Battery-Electric Trucks
- By TT News
- July 11, 2025
As the transportation sector accelerates its shift towards electrification, Maxion Wheels is spearheading the development of specialised wheel technologies to address the distinct requirements of battery-electric trucks. The company's deep engineering expertise and innovative approach position it as a leader in creating solutions that meet the evolving demands of electric mobility.
Electric trucks present unique technical challenges due to their substantial battery weight, which can add 2-3 tonnes compared to conventional diesel vehicles. Proposed European regulations allowing increased gross vehicle weights for zero-emission trucks further intensify the demands on wheel systems. The instant torque characteristics of electric drivetrains, often delivering 2-3 times more torque than traditional engines, combined with the stresses of regenerative braking, create unprecedented loads. These factors can increase front axle loads by up to 500 kg per wheel, necessitating stronger yet lightweight wheel designs.
Maxion addresses these challenges through material science innovation, employing micro-alloyed high-strength steels with yield strengths exceeding 550 MPa – approximately 20 percent stronger than standard wheel steels. The company's proprietary Lightweighting Process integrates advanced engineering techniques including topology optimisation algorithms that simulate natural growth patterns, finite element analysis of over 5,000 load scenarios and precision forming methods that enhance material properties.
The company's substantial investments in high-performance computing have revolutionised its development capabilities. These powerful systems enable evaluation of more than 15,000 design iterations during development cycles, sophisticated multi-physics simulations combining mechanical, thermal and fatigue analysis and digital twin validation that has reduced physical prototyping requirements by 40 percent.
Current production solutions include certified 22.5-inch steel wheels with exceptional 4,250 kg load capacity, weight-optimised designs saving approximately 50 kg per axle compared to conventional wheels, and customized variants tailored to different battery configurations. Looking ahead, with market analysts projecting electric trucks will capture 25 percent of the commercial vehicle market by 2030, Maxion is actively developing next-generation solutions including aluminium hybrid wheels for premium applications, advanced composite materials for lightweight designs and enhanced testing protocols for extreme fast-charging thermal conditions.
Ralf Duning, Vice President of Global Engineering at Maxion Wheels, said, “At Maxion Wheels, we are committed to leading the charge in e-mobility by developing lightweight wheel solutions that meet the unique demands of battery-electric trucks. Our latest designs not only enhance payload capacity but also ensure that our customers can transition to sustainable transport without compromising on performance or durability.”
German Rubber Industry Urges Faster Implementation Of Promised Business Relief Measures
- By TT News
- July 11, 2025

As the Bundestag concludes its final session before summer recess, Germany's rubber industry is pressing the federal government to accelerate promised regulatory reforms. Michael Klein, president of the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), highlighted the stalled abolition of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act as a key example of delayed action.
Klein emphasised that the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD explicitly committed to repealing the German Supply Chain Act. He described this as a straightforward opportunity to reduce bureaucratic burdens, where minimal government effort would yield significant economic benefits. The industry leader noted that while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration initially earned praise for its pro-business stance, companies now urgently need tangible relief measures.
The wdk president specifically called for eliminating excessive reporting requirements, arguing that suspending supply chain obligations would provide immediate relief without complex implementation. Klein cautioned against bureaucratic expansion, stressing that creating new ministries like the Digital Ministry shouldn't come at the cost of increasing red tape that later requires reduction.
The association maintains that swift action on these reforms would send a crucial positive signal to businesses facing regulatory pressures. With the summer legislative pause approaching, the rubber industry seeks concrete progress on these long-promised measures to support Germany's industrial competitiveness.
Pirelli Intros World's First High-Performance Tyre With Over 70% Eco-Friendly Materials
- By TT News
- July 11, 2025

Pirelli has launched a groundbreaking production tyre containing over 70 percent bio-based and recycled materials, setting a new industry benchmark for sustainability. This innovative P Zero tyre features FSC-certified natural rubber, ensuring responsible sourcing from plantations to manufacturing. By 2026, all-natural rubber used in Pirelli's European plants will meet this rigorous certification standard. Initially available for select Range Rover models on 22-inch wheels, this development supports Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) commitment to sustainable luxury vehicles.
The tyre bears dual certification: the FSC mark for responsibly sourced rubber and Pirelli's proprietary logo for tyres exceeding 50 percent eco-friendly content, verified by Bureau Veritas. Achieving ultra-high performance while incorporating sustainable materials presented significant R&D challenges. Key innovations include recycled steel from scrap metal, silica derived from rice husk waste for wet-weather grip and circular carbon black produced from end-of-life tyres through pyrolysis. The compound also utilises bio-based polymers from repurposed cooking oil and plant-derived resins that enhance dry/wet performance balance.
As Pirelli's flagship innovation platform, the P Zero line continues its tradition of technological leadership. This launch builds on Pirelli's 2021 milestone of creating the first FSC-certified tyre and strengthens its partnership with JLR, which in 2024 became the first automaker to use tyres with 100 percent FSC-certified rubber. The new P Zero serves as both a production tyre and a testbed for future material advancements, with plans to progressively increase sustainable content. This achievement underscores Pirelli's dual commitment to performance excellence and environmental responsibility in tyre manufacturing.
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