KENDA Europe Expands with New Powersports Team

KENDA Europe Expands with New Powersports Team

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.

Bridgestone’s Sustainable Business Model Drives Continued Inclusion In Top ESG Indexes

Bridgestone’s Sustainable Business Model Drives Continued Inclusion In Top ESG Indexes

Bridgestone Corporation has once again been selected as a constituent of several globally recognised environmental, social and governance (ESG) indexes, including the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index, the FTSE4Good Index Series, the MSCI Selection Indexes, the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index, the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index, the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index and the MSCI Japan Equity ESG Select Leaders Index.

The Japanese tyre giant’s continued inclusion in these rankings serves as a concrete and objective embodiment of its corporate mission to serve society with superior quality. Company leadership views the ability to sustain such ESG initiatives over many years as a distinct organisational strength.

Regarding the Dow Jones indexes, Bridgestone has been selected for the Best-in-Class World Index for four consecutive years since 2022, which recognises the top 10 percent of sustainability leaders among 2,500 major global companies. The firm has also maintained a place in the Best-in-Class Asia Pacific Index for 16 straight years since 2010.

In the FTSE Russell assessments, Bridgestone has achieved eight consecutive years of selection for the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2018, alongside the same duration for the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index. The company has also been included in the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index for five consecutive years since 2021. For MSCI, Bridgestone has secured three straight years of selection for the MSCI Selection Indexes since 2023 while receiving the highest AAA rating in the MSCI ESG Ratings for three consecutive years.

The company has additionally earned high marks from the international non-profit CDP, receiving an A minus rating in both Climate Change and Water Security for 2025, marking six consecutive years at the leadership level. Bridgestone also obtained an A rating in the Supplier Engagement Rating for the seventh time. Key initiatives behind these recognitions include the expansion of its sustainability business model towards carbon neutrality and a circular economy, actions supporting nature positive goals such as sustainable natural rubber and water resource management, a comprehensive due diligence system based on Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles for human rights and environmental risk and global policy execution guidelines.

Bridgestone places sustainability at the core of its management, aiming to implement and evolve its unique business model across the entire value chain from production and use to renewal and raw materials. These efforts link business operations directly to the realisation of carbon neutrality, a circular economy and a nature positive world.

Tegeta Green Planet And Shine Energy Inspire Eco-Responsibility In Young Learners

Tegeta Green Planet And Shine Energy Inspire Eco-Responsibility In Young Learners

Tegeta Green Planet and Shine Energy, both affiliated with Tegeta Holding, have launched a joint educational initiative to raise environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility among young people. The project addresses modern challenges such as environmental protection and sustainable development.

Company representatives are visiting schools across Tbilisi to hold informational meetings, presentations and workshops. The programme begins with presentations, followed by interactive games and activities designed to help students retain the information. At the end of each session, participants receive symbolic gifts and prizes as motivation.

Tegeta Green Planet focuses on teaching students the principles of specific waste management, including how to properly handle used tyres, batteries and oils. The sessions explain why proper waste management is essential for environmental protection and how it connects to the circular economy. Meanwhile, Shine Energy educates young people on the importance of energy, its everyday use and why developing renewable and sustainable energy resources is crucial.

The initiative is not limited to schools. In the near future, both organisations will expand their efforts to universities, aiming to broaden awareness about environmental protection, waste management and energy efficiency. The ultimate goal is to foster environmentally responsible attitudes among the younger generation, helping build a more sustainable and conscious society.

Zeon Earns Top Supplier Engagement Rating From CDP For First Time

Zeon Earns Top Supplier Engagement Rating From CDP For First Time

Zeon has been recognised as a Supplier Engagement Leader in the 2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) conducted by CDP, a United Kingdom-based international environmental nonprofit organisation. This achievement represents the first time the company has received the highest possible rating in this assessment.

The evaluation measures how corporations address climate change within their supply chains, focusing on responses to the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire across five critical areas. These include governance, emissions targets, Scope 3 emissions management, risk management and overall supplier engagement strategies.

Zeon earned the top rating for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through supplier collaboration, a group-wide initiative, alongside continuous dialogue maintained via procurement activities. Guided by its philosophy of contributing to planetary preservation and human prosperity, Zeon remains committed to sustainable management. The company reaffirmed that it will continue working with suppliers and other stakeholders to tackle climate change and meet societal expectations.

WACKER Announces Price Hike For Resins, Dispersions And Dispersible Polymer Powders

WACKER Announces Price Hike For Resins, Dispersions And Dispersible Polymer Powders

German chemical group WACKER has announced a price increase of up to 15 percent for its resins, dispersions and dispersible polymer powders produced at its European and US facilities. The adjustment takes effect on 1 June 2026, or as existing customer contracts permit. The move is designed to allow the company’s Polymers division to maintain high product quality, deliver technological innovations and provide superior customer service and technical support. It will also support investments aimed at securing future growth in key markets.

Rising costs for raw materials and logistics have forced the pricing measure, with the Polymers division being particularly affected. The recent conflict in the Middle East has caused significant disruptions across global commodity markets. As a direct result, prices for energy, raw materials and transportation have climbed sharply.

Despite the increase, WACKER remains focused on sustaining its commitment to customer support and long-term capability. The company underscored that the adjustment is necessary to continue meeting market demands while ensuring operational stability and future-oriented development across its focus markets.