KENDA Europe has announced plans to expand its activities with the creation of a dedicated Powersports team, set to launch in January 2025. The initiative will be led by Shaun Jones, currently Segment Director for Trailer & Caravan, who will transition into his new role in the new year.

“I am honoured to take on this exciting challenge,” said Shaun Jones. “Expanding into the Powersports market presents incredible opportunities to serve our customers with an even broader product range. Motorcycles have been one of my passions for years, and I look forward to collaborating with our talented global teams to make a significant impact.”

Shaun will work closely with KENDA’s global Powersports teams based in Taiwan and the United States, alongside the European Specialty unit, to foster growth and innovation in this rapidly evolving market.

New leadership for trailer & caravan segment

In tandem with this development, KENDA Europe has named Peter van der Horn, the new leader of the Trailer and caravan segment. Peter, who will assume the role of Trailer and caravan OEM Regional Sales Manager, brings years of experience and a track record of dedication as Area Sales Manager for KENDA Europe’s Trailer and caravan operations.

“Taking on this new role is a privilege, and I look forward to continuing to serve KENDA’s trailer and caravan customers with the excellence they’ve come to expect,” said Peter van der Horn. “This is an exciting time for KENDA Europe, and I’m thrilled to take part in its growth.”

Strategic expansion

The formation of the Powersports team is part of KENDA’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe. KENDA offers innovative tyre and wheel solutions to meet diverse market needs.

KENDA Europe will provide further updates on its Powersports plans in early 2025.

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Apollo Tyres has achieved a significant international distinction in workplace safety, with its Chennai and Limda (Gujarat) plants each receiving the prestigious Sword of Honour from the British Safety Council. This accolade represents one of the highest global recognitions for excellence in health and safety management. The honour was formally presented to Chief Quality and Safety Officer Yoichi Sato, alongside Chennai Unit Head C Thomasmathew and Limda Unit Head Piush Bansal.

This award follows both facilities having previously secured top-tier five-star ratings in the British Safety Council’s rigorous Occupational Health and Safety Audit. The Sword of Honour is specifically reserved for organisations that exhibit an outstanding and sustained dedication to upholding the utmost standards in employee health, safety and wellbeing. Notably, the Chennai plant received additional commendation for its achievements in Innovation and Development.

These awards highlight Apollo Tyres' proactive and systematic approach to fostering a pervasive safety-first culture across its operations. The company's efforts extend beyond mere regulatory compliance, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to cultivating secure, healthy and sustainable working environments for all employees, contractors and stakeholders. By consistently demonstrating world-class safety management and a drive for continuous improvement, this milestone reinforces Apollo Tyres' standing as a responsible industry leader aligned with global best practices.

Yoichi Sato, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd,, said, “Receiving the Sword of Honour for both our plants is a matter of great pride for everyone at Apollo Tyres. This recognition reinforces our belief that operational excellence begins with putting people first. We remain committed to continually strengthening our health and safety practices across all our operations, guided by our ‘Safety First’ philosophy.”

Peter McGettrick, Chairman, British Safety Council, said, “On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the British Safety Council, I would like to congratulate Apollo Tyres on achieving the highest standards of its health, safety and wellbeing management. Achieving recognition of this sort takes absolute dedication and the utmost professionalism. We are proud to support you in your achievements and delighted we can contribute to your ongoing success.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive, British Safety Council, said, “I would like to congratulate Apollo Tyres and its staff on this award, in tribute to their commitment to keeping their workplace safe and healthy and contributing to safeguarding the environment. All of the Sword, Globe and Shield award-winning organisations share a commitment and willingness to achieve the uppermost standards of health and safety. We thank Apollo Tyyres  for contributing to achieving our vision that no one should be injured or made ill through their work.”

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Hankook Tire is all set for Round 2 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s Season 12 as both title sponsor and the championship’s sole tyre supplier, bringing its iON Race tyre to the 2026 Mexico City E-Prix. The event will be held at the celebrated Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a venue famous for its energetic atmosphere and distinctive technical profile. This circuit provides a critical high-stakes environment for demonstrating the advanced capabilities of Hankook's dedicated EV race tire technology.

The track’s primary challenge stems from its location over 2,200 metres above sea level, where thin air reduces aerodynamic downforce and complicates powertrain cooling. This unique atmosphere intensifies the focus on energy conservation and thermal management. Furthermore, the layout itself combines long full-throttle sections with a complex, twisting infield run through the Foro Sol stadium, demanding exceptional tyre stability and responsiveness through rapid changes in direction and heavy braking.

Under these compounded stresses, the iON Race compound is designed to offer teams a stable and predictable performance window. Its development focuses on delivering consistent grip and managing heat effectively, which is crucial for driver confidence and strategic energy deployment throughout the race. The extreme conditions encountered in Mexico City serve as an invaluable real-world laboratory. The technical insights gained here, particularly regarding temperature control and material durability under severe loads, directly accelerate the research and development of Hankook's entire iON range of tyres for consumer electric vehicles.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport, said, “Mexico City is always a special challenge for drivers and teams. The altitude adds an extra layer of complexity, and that makes tyre consistency and thermal control even more important. With its fast sections, technical stadium layout and passionate fans, this is one of the most distinctive races of the season. As title sponsor of the 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix, we are proud to support the championship at such an iconic venue and to see the iON Race perform under these unique conditions.”

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has secured a Silver Rating from EcoVadis, the esteemed international sustainability assessor. This recognition situates the company within the top seven percent of all evaluated firms globally, highlighting its superior standing in corporate responsibility. The evaluation is based on comprehensive performance across four core pillars: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

JK Tyre earned an impressive total score of 77 out of 100, with its environmental efforts being particularly notable at 89 points. This high score underscores tangible achievements in climate action, energy efficiency, and emissions control. The accolade collectively reaffirms the company's dedicated focus on ethical operations, a safe and inclusive work culture and the proactive integration of sustainable practices throughout its entire value chain.

Dr Raghupati Singhania, CMD, JK Tyre & Industries Limited, said, “This significant performance in our EcoVadis performance is the outcome of focused initiatives across environmental stewardship, ethical governance, labour practices and responsible sourcing. The Silver rating is a strong validation of our integrated sustainability approach and the dedication of our teams. It further motivates us to continue strengthening our sustainability journey and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

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Hankook Tire continues its role as the Founding and Official Tire Partner for the second season of TGL. The company's integrated branding will be featured throughout the next three matches, scheduled to be held on the 2^nd, 6^th and 13^th of January 2026 at SoFi Center in Florida, US, leveraging on-site displays and broadcast coverage to reinforce its premium positioning for an international audience. This multiyear partnership exemplifies Hankook's strategic commitment to connecting high-performance mobility with elite sports.

The upcoming schedule features key matchups beginning with Boston Common Golf versus Los Angeles Golf Club. Boston Common, led by Rory McIlroy and Keegan Bradley, is widely regarded as a championship-calibre team yet to secure a TGL match win. They face a formidable opponent in Los Angeles Golf Club, which previously defeated them and fields a cohesive team including Collin Morikawa and Justin Rose. Subsequently, The Bay Golf Club, with stars like Ludvig Åberg and Wyndham Clark, will challenge the defending champions, Atlanta Drive GC. Atlanta, led by Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, demonstrated its strength by winning the Season 2 opener and holds several Season 1 performance records.

A highlight of the schedule is the Season 2 debut of Jupiter Links Golf Club, featuring Tiger Woods alongside Max Homa and Tom Kim. The Florida-based team will enjoy local support as it faces New York Golf Club, seeking to overturn a prior defeat. New York, the Season 1 runner-up with a roster including Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, is similarly motivated to return to winning form. Through its prominent partnership, Hankook Tire is directly integrated into these compelling storylines, enhancing global brand engagement through premier sports entertainment.

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