Every business strives to become a great-place-to-work and employee satisfaction survey is a powerful tool that Human Resource Managers use to understand the level of satisfaction of the employees. Typically, employees fill out a review describing their job, the workplace environment and the company as an employer over the past year. Usually, these surveys are developed and administered by company’s personnel department. But, if needed, there are professional services like www.GreatPlacetoWork.com who help companies survey their employees, and, when appropriate, certify companies as “Great Place to Work,” along with comparative ranking against other similar businesses. 

One of the many better-known surveys is Forbes annual list of the “World’s Best Employers.” For the latest survey, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to compile their fourth-annual 2021 ranking by surveying 160,000 full-time and part-time workers from 58 countries for businesses with operations in multiple nations or regions. The surveys are anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions. The respondents were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. They were asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively. They were also asked to rate their satisfaction with their employers’ Covid-19 responses, and score their employers on its image, economic footprint, talent development, gender equality and social responsibility. The final list comprised of 750 multinational and large corporations headquartered in 45 countries.

The United States dominated the list with 247 employers, followed by Europe with 224 and Asia + Oceania with 208. South Korea’s Samsung was ranked No. 1, followed closely by American Amazon and IBM at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Unsurprisingly, employees of IT, software and telecommunications organizations, which have seen business grow and were able to shift to working remotely more easily, tended to rate their companies more positively than workers of travel and leisure or transportation companies. Respondents from Colombia and Brazil were also much more satisfied with their employers’ handling of the pandemic than those from Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Italy.

Unique perks help higher ranking

There were some notable benefits that made employees very happy. Hewlett Packard company offered its employees a host of additional unusual perks during the pandemic. The U.S. company allowed everyone who faced a pandemic-related financial hardship to apply to receive up to $10,000,   gave access to physicians during office hours, free cooking classes and homeschooling/tutoring for children. German company Siemens, ranked 9^th on the list, embraced the remote-work lifestyle permanently, announcing that its employees can telecommute two or three days a week even after the pandemic ends. CISCO India sought to support employees, with a 24/7 hotline for its 10,000 employees in the country, connecting them to medical professionals who could provide advice and assistance in getting them quality care.

Sad reality

The well-known employee satisfaction surveys and employer rankings all involve white-collar workers. These employees work in nice environment, are generally treated well, but often expect even more from employers. There have been stories about large tech companies that provide free snacks and food, but employees still complain about not having more varieties of free food available! I suppose there is no need to conduct employee satisfaction survey for government employees. They have the best job security, great benefits, and some may allege, poor efficiency.  During the height of the pandemic in USA, 22 million private jobs were lost, but not a single government worker was laid off!

Unfortunately, we rarely, if ever, come across such surveys for workers in businesses like coal mines, metal casting, rubber molding, to name a few. In such industries, employees toil under extremely harsh conditions. These are the workers whose job satisfaction should be our top priority. (TT)

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Tegeta Green Planet, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organised an information and practical campaign titled ‘Don’t Throw It Away, Hand It In’ in Poti. Held on 29 October at a Tegeta Motors branch, the initiative sought to strengthen environmental responsibility and promote proper management of specific waste streams.

The campaign targeted local residents, vehicle owners, drivers and private sector representatives, encouraging their active involvement in waste management. Attendees learned about the environmental impact of automotive waste and correct disposal methods. A dedicated collection point at the branch allowed residents to hand in end-of-life tyres, used batteries and waste oils, offering a practical way to contribute to environmental protection through everyday actions.

A significant focus was placed on raising awareness about the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, including the role of EPR organisations, collection and subsequent management of specific waste streams and importers’ legally established obligations. Symbolic gifts encouraged participation. Tegeta Green Planet and UNDP continue to implement regional environmental campaigns and educational initiatives aimed at raising public awareness, fostering responsible waste management and promoting circular economy principles.

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Bridgestone’s Potenza Sport EVO has earned two independent test accolades, strengthening the tyre maker’s standing in the ultra-high-performance segment. The double success spans a victory in What Car?’s summer tyre test and a Recommended award from evo.

In What Car?’s evaluation of 11 summer tyres, the Potenza Sport EVO ranked first. Fitted to a Volvo XC60, it drew praise for predictable handling and secure performance in wet and dry conditions, along with communicative steering suited to a premium performance tyre.

The What Car? results also underscored tyre choice’s safety implications. In wet braking, the Bridgestone stopped 7.3 metres shorter than the Goodride competitor. The publication concluded that the Potenza Sport EVO justified its higher price, highlighting the value of investing in quality tyres.

The evo test delivered further recognition. The Potenza Sport EVO finished second overall but secured the Recommended award and was arguably the standout performer across individual disciplines, taking five first-place finishes. It earned top subjective ratings for polished, effortless behaviour, excelled in wet grip, traction and stability and set the fastest handling-course time, becoming the only tyre to break 51 seconds.

Drew Chapman, Consumer Sales Director, Bridgestone UK, said, "To achieve such outstanding results in two highly respected independent tyre tests is a fantastic endorsement of the Potenza Sport EVO and the engineering that has gone into its development. Winning the What Car? test against 10 other competitors, while also securing evo's Recommended Award and five individual test victories, demonstrates the tyre's exceptional breadth of capability. These results reflect exactly what we set out to achieve with the Potenza Sport EVO; delivering outstanding performance, control and confidence in a wide range of driving conditions. It's hugely rewarding to see that recognised by independent experts."

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Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has expanded its UK commercial service network by acquiring G & S Tyres Ltd, a move that also brings a modern retreading facility in the London metropolitan area into the group. The deal advances Citira's push towards a national UK footprint, building on its recent purchase of Redpath Tyres in Scotland and its entry into UK market earlier this year via Tyrefix Group.

G&S's local knowledge, solid reputation and retreading strengths align closely with Citira's circular tyre management model, which covers retreading, rim refurbishment and fleet logistics and is already well established across the Nordics and Poland. The East London site is strategically positioned and employs around 45 people.

A two-generation family firm with more than four decades of service to UK customers, G&S will keep trading under its own name with its existing team. Gary, James and Billy Short will stay involved in the business and take shareholdings in the Citira Group.

Oliver Johnson, Head of UK at Citira, said, “G&S Tyres has earned a strong reputation across the UK through its reliability, service quality and close relationships with the fleets and customers it supports. That reputation provides an excellent foundation for the next stage of growth. Following our acquisition of Redpath Tyres in Scotland, G&S is a further step in our ambition to build a national commercial tyre service network with the best people and businesses in the UK.”

Gary Short, speaking on behalf of the Short family, said, “We are very happy to join a group whose ambitions for the UK align so well with our own. Citira is a great home for G&S and gives us the right platform to support the next generation, spearheaded by James and Billy, as they continue to grow and improve the business.”

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Hankook Tyre UK will exhibit on Stand B40 at RTX Scotland, which returns to Glasgow's SEC on 18–19 November 2026 after a successful 2025 debut. The two-day event brings the road transport industry together for innovation, expertise and networking, and Hankook will showcase its extensive portfolio of Hankook and Laufenn commercial vehicle tyres, designed to meet the evolving demands of today's transport operators.

Bigger than last year, the Glasgow show completes a three-market line-up alongside RTX's flagship Stoneleigh event and its Irish show, bringing the same truck-focused approach to audiences across the UK and Ireland. More than 80 exhibitors, from major truck manufacturers and trailer producers to tyre specialists and workshop suppliers, will take part, with over 7,000 visitors expected to explore developments, attend expert-led seminars, workshops and tech talks, and connect with key professionals.

At the heart of the stand, the SmartFlex range addresses regional and long-distance transport. The AL51 for steering and all-position duties and the DL51 for drive axles deliver up to 20 percent lower rolling resistance on long-haul routes than their predecessors, with consistent performance throughout service life, while the AH51 and DH51 offer dependable grip and braking for regional haulage. All can be regrooved and retreaded to maximise tyre life and cost efficiency. Hankook will also present the 315/80R22.5 Smart Work AM11+ for on- and off-road front-steer operations, the AM15+ all-position tyre, the TH31 all-season trailer tyre, the TH51 with Hidden Groove technology and the Vantra ST AS2 van tyre.

Laufenn, Hankook's associated brand, will display its growing commercial vehicle portfolio, including the Laufenn365 initiative, the LR01 and LR02 for on- and off-road applications, the LR53 drive tyre and the X Fit Van 4S. Drawing on Hankook's development expertise, Laufenn combines value, performance and full retreadability to help cost-conscious fleets manage operating costs and environmental impact. With solutions spanning heavy-duty regional haulage, long-distance transport, mixed-service operations and light commercial vehicles, Hankook's presence lets visitors explore products tailored to their needs and connect directly with the team.

James Misselbrook, UK Truck & Bus National Sales Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “RTX Scotland provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fleets, operators and industry partners, and we're excited to be returning for a second year. The event comes at a significant time for Hankook, as we showcase some of the first 385/65R22.5 trailer tyres produced at our new European TBR manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary. This major investment underlines our long-term commitment to the European market and reinforces our ability to deliver innovative, high-performance tyre solutions that help fleets maximise efficiency and profitability."

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