The valedictory function of Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act 1947 and the Rubber Grower’s Conference at Mammen Mappillai Hall, Kottayam will be inaugurated by George Kurian, honourable Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Minority Affairs, on 16 January 2025. Members and officials of the Rubber Board, farmers, representatives of rubber stakeholders, labourers, technical experts, legislators and others will all be attending the event.

The occasion will be presided over by Member of Parliament Advocate K Francis George. Member of the Legislative Assembly Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan will be a special guest at the gathering. N Hari, a member of the Rubber Board; G. Anil Kumar, Vice Chairman of the Rubber Board and Bincy Sebastian, Chairman of the Kottayam Municipality, will offer congratulations at the meeting. Dr Jessy M D, Director of Research I/C; Dr T Siju, Rubber Production Commissioner and M Vasanthagesan, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, will also be present at the event.

In his presentation, Vasanthagesan will discuss the important subject of creating a digital platform that links growers and organisations interested in harvesting rubber plants in an unexplored region. A matter of great relevance, the preparedness of the EUDR process for Indian NR exporters, will be explained by Manoj Vembu, Director of TRST01, the Rubber Board's technology partner to implement EUDR in the nation. Additionally, panel discussions on ‘Handholding stakeholders through schemes & policies’ and ‘Sustainable farming practices’ will be held, which will be moderated by Sheela Thomas (Chairperson of Kerala Rubber Limited and former Chairman of the Rubber Board) and James Jacob (Managing Director, Plantation Corporation of Kerala), respectively.

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Radar Tyres, the flagship brand of Omni United, has appointed Sami Jauhojärvi, Olympic gold medallist and one of Finland’s most celebrated cross-country skiers, as its official brand ambassador.

Jauhojärvi's sporting excellence – built on resilience, performance and a profound connection with nature – mirrors Radar Tyres' commitment to delivering premium-quality tyres across all seasons and terrains at accessible prices. The brand's comprehensive range includes Summer, All Season, Winter and specialist Ice tyres, designed to meet diverse driving needs with reliable performance.

This collaboration represents a strategic alignment as Radar Tyres expands its European and UK presence. Jauhojärvi will serve as brand ambassador, featuring in marketing campaigns, digital initiatives and local events while sharing his expertise to support Radar Tyres' mission of making high-performance tyres available to all drivers.

G S Sareen, Founder and CEO of Omni United, said, “We’re excited to welcome Sami to the Radar family. Sami’s authenticity, credibility and strong connection with his audience make him an ideal partner for us. He embodies the spirit of perseverance and performance – the same qualities we build into every Radar tyre. As we continue to grow our brand across Europe, partnerships like this play a key role in building deeper connections with consumers. We’re excited to build on this momentum with more such collaborations in the near future.”

Jauhojärvi said, “I am thrilled to represent Radar Tyres, a brand that has a remarkable mission to make premium quality and performance accessible to all and also has deep-rooted values of giving back to society via various initiatives it has undertaken over the years such as supporting breast cancer research. I’m sincerely surprised about the performance and silence of my Radar Tyres and happy to deliver this feedback to all the people.”

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Kenda Tires is celebrating Dan ‘The Flying Dutchman’ Vanden Heuvel's nomination to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, recognising his legendary 49-year career as both a champion racer and community leader.

Since entering his first race at age 15 in 1977 at Crandon International Raceway, Vanden Heuvel has become one of off-road racing's most respected figures. His aggressive driving style earned him 20+ Pro-Class wins, five Crandon World Championships and a PRO-2 title. As owner of Flying Dutchman Racing, he mentored numerous drivers including his son Mikey, who secured Kenda Tires' historic first PRO-2 victory.

Beyond competition, Vanden Heuvel's greatest impact comes from his tireless community work. He co-founded the Midwest Off-Road Racing Association, created the Short Course Kart Series for young racers and established the MORR Injured Driver Fund with his wife Nancy. His hands-on approach – from building tracks to mentoring drivers – has shaped generations of off-road enthusiasts.

Now as Kenda Tires' Product Display Manager, Vanden Heuvel continues supporting the sport, assisting drivers across multiple series while representing Kenda at events nationwide. His dedication embodies the brand's values of community and passion for motorsports.

The formal induction ceremony will be held on 2 November 2025 in Las Vegas. This honour celebrates not just Vanden Heuvel's remarkable racing achievements but his enduring legacy as an ambassador who has profoundly influenced off-road culture.

Brandon Stotsenburg, VP of Automotive Division, Kenda Tires USA, said, “Dan is more than a legend – he is a mentor, a servant-leader and the beating heart of the off-road community. He helped deliver Kenda’s first PRO championship and still shows up for others every single weekend. We are honoured to have him represent Kenda and even more proud to call him family.”

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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.

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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.”

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