“We will be implementing all our learnings of the previous years into the operations. In choosing a plant location, we consider the distance between our customers and ensure that we can keep up our supply while maintaining sufficient inventory and work on a VMI model, as we do for all the major tyre makers in Thailand. We are working on designing the process lines which will be much better in terms of product quality, environmental standards and productivity. Overall, we aim to install a world-class facility which will make working more efficient and effective in all aspects,” said Yashovardhan Chordia, Director, Rajratan Thai Wire Co ,  a 100 percent subsidiary of Rajratan Global Wire

The company had completed its brownfield expansion in March 2020, post which the national lockdown was announced. However, manufacturing revived sharply when markets re-opened, enabling Rajratan Global Wire to support and meet its customer demands with enhanced capacities. “As explained before, the China + 1 supplier need of global players coupled with the expanding demand for tyre in local and export markets is quite encouraging. It has given us the necessary confidence to go for further expansion in Thailand and a new greenfield plant in India (Chennai, Tamil Nadu). Our Chennai plant will also enable us to meet the increasing export demand owing to its proximity to the port,” explained Chordia.

National lockdown in 2020 affected the company as it did to all industries. The company’s manufacturing activities were shut for more than a month in India and took a planned shutdown for 25 days in Thailand since the demand was relatively low. However, Covid did not create any structural changes to the company’s business. “Except for the first month of the initial lockdown, demand was robust for subsequent months. We have been witnessing good opportunities to sell much bigger volumes.

Also, due to Covid and the logistics turmoil, many customers are looking at a China + 1 supplier strategy for their international business. This has consequently led to a rise in our customer base within export markets. Domestically, we also see customers increasing their buying from local sources to reduce the risk of supply shortage hampering their production, , ” said Chordia.

Rajratan Global Wire now offers bead wire to its customers from both locations – Indore and Thailand, wherever feasible – to ensure regular supplies. It has shifted a few of its export customers to India to counter the poor container availability. “There has been a reduction in the (volume) import of raw materials from China for many years, which now has reduced even further. Covid challenges allowed us to develop other alternatives timely, and these have all been streamlined now,” added Chordia.

Logistic costs have surged to new highs, and the availability of containers and drivers have been challenging. “As I explained previously, we are offering products to our customers from both locations, wherever the logistics cost is cheaper. We have also made few agreements with the shipping lines and other related parties to improve reliability, especially if the price remains unchanged. I think the cost of logistics today is high everywhere, so we are all sailing in the same boat. Over the year, there have been instances where cost went up so much that eventually customers had to explore other sources. At the same time, there are many new markets and a growing list of customers is being added at a steady rate,” said Chordia.

India is an oligopoly market with four manufacturers followed by imports. Rajratan has the largest manufacturing capacity amongst the four. The size of the Indian market currently stands at approximately 110,000 to 120,000 tonnes, including cycle tyres. Rajratan Global Wire has expanded its capacity to meet the growing requirement of domestic tyre companies which are witnessing strong local and export demand. “The capacity expansions taken up by local tyre manufacturers have given the confidence to set up a new greenfield facility in Chennai (port-based) to target the growing domestic as well as export markets,” explained Chordia.

In Thailand, Rajratan Global Wire is expanding its capacity from 40,000 TPA to 60,000 TPA to meet the local demand, otherwise impacted by the lack of bead wire supplies from manufacturers outside Thailand. “This has also provided the necessary boost to our local Thailand sales figures as we are the only local bead wire manufacturer in Thailand,” said Chordia.

Many major Chinese tyre companies have established their base in the SEA countries to avoid US traffic, and this has brought further opportunities to Rajratan Global Wire. According to Chordia, post the pandemic and due to the current logistics issues, the opportunity has become more prominent as all the tyre manufacturers in the SEA region are looking to source more locally. “We have a good opportunity as suppliers since there are six big Chinese tyre companies in Thailand, a couple of them in Vietnam and a few upcoming ones in Indonesia. We are in a sweet spot to meet the requirements of local tyre manufacturers (including Chinese tyre companies) in Thailand as well as from local tyre manufacturers in India, the two biggest tyre manufacturing markets in Asia outside China,” said the company executive.

The company focuses on several key aspects like adhesive strength, rubber coverage, elongation and tensile strength to achieve the required quality. “These are areas we continuously keep working on to improve our offerings to our customers. We at Rajratan have developed that culture of improvement, and it has been our key to whatever success we have had in business today,” added Chordia.

Rajratan Global Wire is working on digitalising and automating its operations in line with Industry 4.0 and on the sustainability front. The company aims to reduce its water consumption by 70-80 percent and use more recycled raw material (steel) to make its product. Rajratan Global Wire has also improvised on its product packing and reduced the usage of paper, wood and plastic.

Bead wire forms nearly three percent of the cost of making a tyre but is a critical product as it is instrumental in holding the tyre to the wheel’s rim. Rajratan Global Wire’s product is a critical raw material in the tyre and affects the safety factor of the tyre. The company is putting significant efforts to improve the product quality continuously. “We are always in dialogue with our customers on identifying areas of improvement to grow our presence. We manufacture the widest range of bead wire (sizes) in India,” added Chordia.

Talking about the changing bead wire technology for EV tyres, Chordia said, “From whatever we know till now from our customers, there is no major change in the use of bead wire for the EV tyres. Yes, I think their focus will be to make lighter tyres for EV. There is a possibility that this might further change the bead wire sizes and strength of the wire. I have not come across any discussion about a substitute for the existing bead wire up until now.”

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Michelin, a leading tyre technology company, has launched its first Michelin Experience Store in India, in partnership with Bharat Tyres. The facility spread across 25,000 sqft is located in Adgaon on the Mumbai-Agra highway, Nashik and is Michelin’s largest store in the country.

It is designed not only to provide a premium experience, but also showcases the company’s global legacy through the Michelin Wall. Customers will also be to experience the Heritage Wall that visualise the heritage of both Michelin and its local dealership partner.

The Michelin Experience Store also has a Display Zone that showcases Michelin’s innovations in electric mobility, materials science and environmental responsibility.

The dealership also includes service areas for cars and trucks, PPF coating, precision wheel alignment, advanced balancing services, innovative puncture repair solutions, professional car detailing and a wide array of car accessories. 

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “We are proud to unveil Michelin’s first Experience Centre in India. The sole purpose of this store is to go beyond traditional tyre retail and provide customers an immersive experience of the brand, of our dealer partners and of the technological prowess of our tyre solutions that are safe and sustainable. Nashik, a key hub with growing premium vehicle ownership, is the first of many such centres that will further strengthen our footprint in the western region while providing state-of-the-art experience and services to evolving customers.”

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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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