Titan International partnered with the Tyre Industry Association (TIA) in hosting advanced tyre service training to further improve safety and technical service knowledge in the tyre industry. 

The training, held for two weeks in July, focused on wheels and tyres in Ag and OTR applications and brought in a range of expert partners, including Stellar Industries, Fuller Brothers, AME International and Intercomp.

“It’s wonderful to see the level of importance that Titan, all the partner companies and all the participating dealers place on the safety of tyre technicians,” said Matt White, director of tyre service at TIA. “It’s events and companies like these that help TIA accomplish our mission of improving safety and, ultimately, saving lives.”

Classroom trainings

The first two days focused on classroom training that followed TIA-developed programmes, including the Farm Tyre Service 200-level programme with 11 modules and the Earthmover Tyre Service 200-level programme with 15 modules.

Hands-on training stations

Following the classroom training, Titan brought in a range of partners to its Boone, Iowa, training facility on day three — setting up six stations for foundational hands-on training to prepare for day four in the field.

• Stellar Industries: Service truck instruction
•  Service truck manufacturer, Stellar Industries, set up two truck stations — one focused on preventive maintenance instruction for service trucks and the other focused on the safe and efficient operation of the tyre manipulator. 
• AME International (AME): Tool training
•  AME, a worldwide supplier of tyre service tools and accessories, provided training on the safe use and maintenance of cribbing tools and lifting tools, as well as lock-out/tag-out instruction.
• Titan OTR specialists: Wheel inspection and tool use
•  Titan’s team of OTR specialists provided instruction on wheel and component inspection, measurement, identification of issues, and the use of Titan OTR profile gauges.
• Fuller Brothers: Wheel and tyre life, mounting and dismounting
•  Led by Fuller Brothers, a leading producer of speciality fluids, sealants and lubricants for the tyre industry — this session focused on the use of products such as Tyre Life and White Lightning (named after Matt White of TIA) during mounting and dismounting.
• Intercomp: Conducting machine weigh-ups
•  Titan’s team of Ag specialists partnered with Intercomp — a leading manufacturer of industrial scale and weighing equipment — to guide participants through machine and tractor weigh-ups and how to inflate tyres and ballast machines properly.
• Titan Ag specialists: Dual hub wheel training
•  Titan’s Scott Sloan, Global LSW/Ag Product Manager and his team of Ag specialists conducted training on the latest dual hub wheel technology commonly installed on larger 4WD tractors, including a review of training materials and hands-on use of the locking mechanism.

In-field training sessions

Following day three’s hands-on instruction, participants were brought to Stellar Industries’ brand new training grounds in Garner, Iowa, to apply what they learned in real-world scenarios. This included four mounting/dismounting stations — one for a John Deere sprayer, a John Deere spreader, a CAT rigid haul truck and a Case wheel loader. Led by TIA’s Matt White, the team of industry experts from Fuller Brothers (Craig Tinklenberg), Stellar Industries (Travis Glidden and Tom Formanek) and AME International (Don Tinker and John Melosci), as well as multiple Titan Ag and OTR specialists were on site to monitor and coach participants through various exercises. 

 “While Titan has hosted TIA training annually since 2017, this year was undoubtedly the most comprehensive — thanks to the hands-on training made possible by all the participating partners,” said Kim Boccardi, VP-Marketing at Titan. “We’d like to thank TIA, Stellar, AME, Fuller Brothers and Intercomp for their dedication to advancing the safety and technical know-how of nearly 80 tyre technicians who attended this year from more than 35 Titan dealers across the country.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The first Sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season began in China with an intense schedule, starting with Sprint Qualifying on Friday. George Russell claimed pole position, finishing over two-tenths of a second ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, with Lando Norris securing third. Russell received the Pirelli Sprint Qualifying Award from Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director. The prize includes a helmet decorated in the colours of the Chinese flag and a replica Pirelli P Zero Soft tyre, both personalised with the driver’s name and number.

Pirelli’s compound regulations shaped the qualifying format. In SQ1 and SQ2, drivers were required to use a set of medium tyres, with most completing two fast laps per segment. For the final SQ3 shootout, the top 10 switched to the soft compound. Russell’s pole time of 1:31.520 came on the red-walled P Zero Soft, less than seven-tenths slower than the 2025 sprint pole time of 1:30.849, set by Lewis Hamilton.

The F1 Academy also opened its season in Shanghai, with Alisha Palmowski setting the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying. She outpaced Alba Larsen and Emma Felbermayr ahead of the series’ two races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Marrafuschi said, “During Sprint race weekends, it’s always challenging for teams to fully assess tyre behaviour as they only have one hour of free practice. During this session, the teams used one set of medium tyres and one set of soft tyres, without carrying out any significant long runs. The hards were saved for the following days, and some teams may consider using them in their strategies for Sunday's race as early as tomorrow.

“The Sprint race, which is most likely to be run on Medium tyres, will certainly provide a clearer picture. The performance difference between the two compounds used on Friday is around six tenths. Interestingly, in the first two qualifying segments, the C3 was once again able to deliver maximum performance on the second push lap after completing a cooldown lap.

“Temperatures are cooler than last year; the track is still dirty and has less grip than we will see on Sunday as the track evolves. As happened last year and as expected, some graining appeared on the front-left tyre, which is the most stressed by Shanghai’s corners, and to a lesser extent on the front-right, although the impact on overall wear remains limited. On this circuit, teams tend to prioritise protecting the front axle, shifting the balance towards the rear as much as possible.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nexen Tire has received a ‘Good’ overall rating for its N'Fera Sport model in the latest summer tyre test conducted by Auto Bild in March 2026. The assessment highlights the tyre's strong performance within the competitive Ultra-High-Performance segment.

Tested on a BMW 5 Series (G60) with size 245/45 R 19 tyres, the N'Fera Sport distinguished itself through exceptional braking capabilities, achieving the third-shortest stopping distance among 50 competitors in the qualification phase and demonstrating excellent safety margins on both wet and dry surfaces. The tyre further impressed with its precise steering response and reliable grip, even under challenging conditions. Its overall performance secured it the third-place position in the qualification round. Notably, the N'Fera Sport also excelled in acoustic comfort, ranking second out of 20 tyres for low noise generation.

These results underscore the model's blend of control, responsiveness and safety, making it suitable for both everyday driving and more dynamic scenarios. Nexen Tire views this recognition as a validation of its ongoing commitment to innovation, quality and the production of high-performance products designed to enhance the driving experience.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone Corporation has unveiled its comprehensive motorsports engagement strategy for 2026, reaffirming its dedication to competitions spanning all levels, from elite international championships to grassroots events for amateur enthusiasts. This initiative will prominently feature the POTENZA brand for four-wheel racing and the BATTLAX brand for two-wheel competitions, operating under the core philosophy that tyres are essential to safeguarding life.

In the realm of premier racing, the company supplies tyres under both the Bridgestone and Firestone banners. The Bridgestone brand continues its dominant presence in Japan's premier SUPER GT series, where POTENZA-equipped teams recently secured an unprecedented fifth overall championship title in both the GT500 and GT300 categories. Simultaneously, on two wheels, BATTLAX-equipped competitors have achieved their fifth consecutive victory – and sixth overall – in the gruelling FIM Endurance World Championship, underscoring the tyre technology's reliability and performance under extreme conditions.

Complementing these achievements, the historic Firestone brand upholds its 125-year legacy as the exclusive tyre supplier for the renowned NTT INDYCAR SERIES. This partnership includes providing tyres for the legendary INDY500, ensuring the continuation of this exhilarating motorsport tradition. Through these diverse activities, the technologies honed from the racetrack directly contribute to the evolution of its consumer product lines, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and bringing new innovations to customers worldwide.

The company prioritises competitor safety and confidence by supplying tyres meticulously developed and proven on the racetrack, thereby actively nurturing the broader motorsports culture. Crucially, the high-stakes environment of racing serves as a mobile laboratory, where technological advancements forged in the pursuit of victory are transferred to enhance consumer and commercial tyres, reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering superior value.

Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation, said, “Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as 'One Team’, embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tyres we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I'm rolling along with our tyres on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tyre structural design, material development, production and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who face tyres every day, and their passion through ‘Genbutsu-Genba’ to pursue the ultimate in tyre performance.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CEAT Limited recently organised a specialised engagement initiative for women fleet owners at its manufacturing complex in Chennai. The programme aimed to foster professional dialogue and knowledge sharing while providing an in-depth look at the intricacies of tyre production and development. Attendees, who came from diverse regions across the country, toured the company’s advanced Chennai facility, which holds a 'World Economic Forum Lighthouse' designation. During the visit, they witnessed key production stages, engaged with technical experts and learned about the quality control, safety protocols and innovative practices integral to CEAT's operations.

This effort brought together 14 women transporters representing various roles and business sizes within the logistics sector, collectively contributing decades of industry experience. The gathering was arranged in collaboration with the Women’s Wing of the All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA), with participants hailing from major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. The initiative was supported by Reema Kothari Jogani, Chairperson of the AITWA Women’s Wing.

While women still form a modest segment of India's transport workforce, their involvement has been steadily rising. This trend is significant in the context of the country's broader economic ambitions, including the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and the goal of a USD 30 trillion economy, where women-led development is seen as a key driver. The logistics industry itself is projected to grow substantially from its 2024 valuation of USD 354 billion to USD 800 billion by 2030.

CEAT is actively working to increase female participation, particularly in manufacturing. Through automation, ergonomic enhancements and lift-assist systems, the company has made physically demanding roles more accessible. These measures have resulted in women comprising 20 percent of the workforce at the Chennai plant. Furthermore, the Nagpur facility, which was the first in Maharashtra to permit night shifts for women, has achieved 28 percent female representation on its shop floor. The company’s focus extends beyond numbers to creating an environment where women are encouraged to lead and excel in roles that have been traditionally male-dominated.

Vishal Pawar, Senior Vice President – Global Sales and Supply Chain, CEAT, said, “Women fleet owners are playing a pivotal role in redefining the boundaries of the transport sector. Their determination and entrepreneurial spirit inspire us. At CEAT, we are proud to create meaningful avenues for them to engage with the industry, build networks and gain deeper exposure to manufacturing and technology. We remain committed to supporting their journey of growth and empowerment.”

Reema Kothari Jogani said, “Building an inclusive logistics ecosystem requires collaboration between industry stakeholders, organisations and entrepreneurs. CEAT’s initiative is a constructive step towards strengthening this ecosystem by enabling women fleet owners to interact with experts, learn from best practices and explore the operational depth of modern manufacturing. These are women who not only run and grow their businesses together but also share a strong sense of camaraderie supporting each other and finding moments of fun along the way. Such engagements help accelerate the participation of women in a traditionally male dominated sector and contribute to long term industry transformation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!