James McGraw, former Managing Director and CEO of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP),  passed away on June 8th, 2020 in Houston, Texas.

The company extends its sincerest condolences to his family in this difficult time and expresses its enduring gratitude for his decades of leadership and inspiration. “We are deeply saddened by his loss,” said Juan Ramon Salinas, actual Managing Director & CEO of the IISRP.

“Jim was a visionary leader, who had a true passion for the Rubber Industry and an exceptional commitment to our Members. His energy, drive and leadership will be missed.” He was born on June 27, 1949 in Louisville, Kentucky. Jim graduated from Corydon Central High School in 1967. From 1972-78 he was a medic in the Indiana Army National Guard. In 1975 he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and in 1985 a MS is Engineering Management from the University of Louisville. Jim began his 40-year career in 1975 in Louisville as an American Synthetic Rubber Corporation (ASRC) and during his 23 years at ASRC Jim held various assignments all of which included compliance management. Jim McGraw served the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc. (IISRP) for 36 years, both as an IISRP chair and active committee member while employed by ASRC and subsequently as both Deputy and as Managing Director and CEO for over 17 years. Jim has tirelessly travelled the world to support current members and recruit new ones. During McGraw’s tenure, membership has expanded to include upstream companies affiliated with IISRP and agents and distributors. More recently, he added members from subsidiaries and joint ventures of producer members. Under his leadership, IISRP developed single-product manufacturing benchmarking exercises, the life cycle assessment project, and enhanced statistical exercises. His focus on the future led to the Strategic Direction Initiative, designed to take IISRP into the next decade. Jim’s passion for the industry throughout his career has been evident in his dedication to the mission of IISRP.

Jim managed complex, multi-year scientific research to meet members’ safety and health needs. This research, conducted at renowned international universities, was presented to agencies around the world through published Proceedings following periodic scientific symposia which McGraw organized. He began his transition into retirement in 2015 and was advisor to the IISRP Executive Committee. His publications include numerous proceedings of the IISRP’s annual general meetings and scientific proceedings of IISRP Symposia. Jim was recognized for the “Best Paper of the Year Award” by the Southern Rubber Group of the ACS Rubber Division. He was a keynote speaker at many industry international conferences during his career, all in furthering IISRP's members businesses. One of his greatest joys was traveling the world with his wife Pat, he also loved working on his family’s farm in Corydon, cooking, wood working, collecting HO scale trains, and restoring his 1966 Super Sport Chevelle. Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia; mother, Alma; brothers, Mike, Roger, Tom; sister, Jeanie; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, James “Jack” McGraw.

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Hankook Tire is embarking on a new venture as the inaugural Official Tire and Founding Partner of the U.S.-based simulation golf league Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), beginning with its second season. This alliance is built upon a common dedication to cutting-edge technology, a principle that defines both organisations. The league itself, a brainchild of sports executive Mike McCarley and golf icons Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, represents a forward-thinking approach to the sport. It utilises a custom-built, tech-centric arena to fuse simulator golf, live action and data-driven insights, creating a fast-paced and accessible format that is rapidly attracting a global audience.

This partnership will see Hankook Tire’s global branding integrated across multiple platforms to enhance its premium status. The company will achieve this through prominent LED signage within the SoFi Center, targeted television commercials and extensive visibility during the live broadcasts of TGL Season 2. The objective is to deliver a distinctive brand experience that bridges the gap between mobility and sports, engaging golf enthusiasts of all ages across North America and international markets.

The sporting action will commence with TGL Season 2 on 28 December, running through March 2026 for a total of 15 rounds. The league will feature six teams: Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, Jupiter Links Golf Club, Los Angeles Golf Club, New York Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club. These teams, staffed by 24 active PGA Tour golfers, will compete in an intense race for the championship title.

Sanghoon Lee, Co-CEO, Hankook Tire, said, “We are delighted to join TGL Season 2 as a global partner. Through our partnership with TGL, which is reshaping the landscape of sports entertainment, Hankook Tire will further enhance its innovative technology and premium brand value, solidifying its position as a global leader in the mobility industry.”

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Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO), a part of Bridgestone Americas, has achieved a significant milestone with the full accreditation of its technician training curriculum by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This distinction, which places BSRO among a select few automotive service providers, confirms that its internal training programmes meet the institute's rigorous standards for educational quality and effectiveness.

The accreditation process was both extensive and intensive. To qualify, BSRO embarked on a four-year internal assessment and invested USD 3 million to revitalise its company training centres with the latest technology and equipment. This preparation culminated in an 18-month evaluation by ASE, which scrutinised 53 distinct training activities and involved more than 3,500 employees. The review thoroughly assessed all aspects of the programme, including the curriculum, training facilities, instructional equipment, instructor qualifications and, crucially, student outcomes.

This achievement has direct and meaningful implications for both technicians and customers. For the technicians working across more than 2,200 Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works stores, this accredited curriculum provides a seamless pathway to earning individual ASE certifications. These certifications are widely recognised as a gold standard in the industry and are linked to greater career longevity and higher wage potential. For customers, this structured, high-quality training ensures that BSRO stores can consistently maintain and enhance the rigorous standards of trusted service they expect.

Marko Ibrahim, President, Bridgestone Retail Operations, said, “Achieving ASE accreditation positions BSRO as an industry leader in automotive training and education. This significant milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, elevating the quality and consistency of our training programme and empowering our technicians with industry-recognised credentials. The impact is already clear, and I could not be prouder of our team for their dedication to building a better skilled, more reliable workforce.”

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The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has officially rebranded as Tyres Europe. This new identity establishes a clear, dedicated focus on representing the European tyre manufacturing industry. The association aims to champion a competitive and innovative sector that advances safe, smart and sustainable mobility.

This strategic name change is designed to immediately clarify the organisation's mandate for all EU stakeholders, especially within a new political cycle and evolving market. Tyres Europe will engage in constructive, evidence-based policy discussions, advocating for the industry on key legislation including the EUDR, ESPR, Euro 7 and substance regulations. It will also push for an active industrial policy to bolster the competitiveness of Europe's tyre manufacturing base.

The association has elected Livio Magni of Pirelli as its new President and Paolo Pompei of Nokian Tyres as Vice-President for a two-year term. An official launch event is scheduled for 18 November in Brussels, featuring a strategic update from leadership and keynote speeches from high-level representatives of the European Commission and Parliament on Europe's mobility value chain.

Livio Magni, Tyres Europe President & Pirelli CEO Region Europe, said, “The tyre industry is a strategic pillar for Europe’s mobility, prosperity and safety. Through Tyres Europe, we will continue to work closely with policymakers and key stakeholders to ensure a predictable business environment that enables manufacturers to invest, innovate and compete in Europe. As an industry, we remain committed to driving innovation to deliver products that are increasingly safe and environmentally responsible.”

Paolo Pompei, Tyres Europe Vice-President and President & Nokian Tyres CEO, said, “Our sector is investing in capacity, efficiency and R&D to serve European mobility, reliably. Tyres Europe is committed to advocating for industrial policies that empower manufacturers to deliver greater value to society and to be recognised for their performance.”

Adam McCarthy, Tyres Europe Secretary General, said, “Tyres are as essential to vehicle performance as batteries and semiconductors and face multiple cross-cutting challenges that reflect the broader industrial transition. Tyres Europe will keep engaging with EU institutions to build coherent, workable rules that deliver real-world outcomes across competitiveness, circularity and innovation.”

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The Rubber Board organised a mass run in Kottayam town on Monday, bringing together its employees, their families, and college students as part of a nationwide fitness campaign now in its sixth year.

The Fit India Freedom Run 6.0 drew participants from Baselius College and CMS College alongside Rubber Board staff, forming part of a month-long initiative running from  2-31 October across India.

Launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Fit India Freedom Run was conceived to commemorate two significant dates in India’s calendar—Independence Day on 15 August and Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October. The programme seeks to promote walking and running as accessible routes to improved health and physical fitness amongst the general population.

This year’s edition has adopted the theme of “Swachhata and Swasthiya” (Cleanliness and Health), reflecting the government’s emphasis on hygiene as a cornerstone of healthy living. The dual focus aligns with broader public health messaging that connects environmental cleanliness with individual well-being.

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