Photo: Winners of TRAC’s 2025 Industry Leaderships Awards. Left to right: Carol Hochu (TRAC), Tony Mougios (Groupe Touchette), Jon Visaisouk (for Sam Visaisouk; Tyromer Inc.), Neil Bansal (Liberty Tire), Barry Yutronkie (Michelin / TRAC), Dr. Behdad Khamesee (Toyo Tire), Chris Figel (Chair of the Board, TRAC).

The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) recently honoured industry leaders for their exceptional contributions to the tire and rubber sector during its annual awards ceremony on 4 June 2025 in Mississauga. The event, held after TRAC's Annual General Meeting at the Alt Hotel Toronto Airport, celebrated excellence across four key categories: Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Sustainability and Young Leader. These awards recognise the visionaries and innovators driving progress in tire manufacturing, recycling, and sustainable practices.

Neil Balson of Liberty Tire Recycling received the prestigious Leader of the Year award for his transformative impact on Canada's tyre recycling industry. As Vice President overseeing Canadian operations, Balson has demonstrated remarkable leadership in developing innovative solutions for end-of-life tyre management. His work has been particularly impactful in addressing the challenges of recycling ultra-large mining tyres, where he pioneered processes that reduce their carbon footprint by 80 percent. Beyond technical innovations, Balson has played a crucial role in shaping national policies and fostering international collaborations, establishing himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of business and environmental sustainability.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards honoured three industry veterans whose collective contributions span decades of service. Pamela Scarrow of Bridgestone Canada was recognised for her 25 years of legal leadership and her instrumental role in TRAC's governance as both board member and former chair. The late Sam Visaisouk, former CEO of Tyromer Inc, was honoured posthumously for commercialising groundbreaking devulcanisation technology that revolutionised tyre recycling globally. Barry Yutronkie received recognition for his 30-year career at Michelin and subsequent leadership at TRAC, where he helped harmonise technical standards across North America. Together, these recipients represent the dedication and expertise that have shaped Canada's tire industry.

From left: Phillip Diogenes of Bridgestone Canada Inc. accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Pam Scarrow with Chris Figel (Chair of the Board, TRAC).

TRAC's Sustainability Awards highlighted two leaders advancing environmental responsibility in the sector. Dr Behdad Khamesee of Toyo Tire Canada was celebrated for applying his materials science expertise to develop sustainable tyre technologies and influence industry-wide best practices through various technical committees. Tony Mougios of Groupe Touchette was recognised for developing comprehensive ESG strategies, including the company's inaugural sustainability report that established measurable environmental targets.

The Young Leader Award went to Chris Singleton of Niagara Battery & Tire, who at 37 took over the family business following his father's passing and immediately implemented transformative changes. Singleton modernized operations through digital inventory systems, enhanced employee benefits, and expanded mobile services – all while maintaining the company's 68-year legacy as a community staple.

Carol Hochu, President and CEO, TRAC, said, “The Canadian tire and rubber industry brims with innovation and dedication; and this year’s award winners embody the very best of our industry. We’re thrilled to honour seven remarkable individuals whose leadership, ingenuity and commitment to sustainability have set a high bar for excellence, and shape and inspire the future of our sector.”

Hankook Tire has launched the Smart Work AM11+, a premium commercial tyre designed for the UK’s demanding regional distribution and waste management sectors. Engineered for vehicles with frequent stop-start cycles, it features a reinforced sidewall with proprietary abrasion-resistant compounds to withstand repeated kerb impacts. The innovative triple-wear indicator system simplifies maintenance by providing clear, at-a-glance tread depth checks, helping fleets optimise replacement schedules and reduce operational costs.

Available in size 315/80 R22.5 from September, the AM11+ utilises Hankook’s advanced casing technology to deliver extended mileage and puncture resistance. Its optimised tread pattern enhances wet grip and braking performance, critical for urban safety compliance. Developed after extensive fleet trials, this tyre addresses the specific needs of refuse trucks, delivery vehicles and municipal operators facing harsh daily conditions.

Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong Tire Co Ltd has defended the quality of its products after facing criticism over Volkswagen's decision to equip the new Tiguan model with its tyres as standard equipment.

The Shandong-based company, which operates Europe's first Chinese-owned tyre factory in Serbia, issued a statement emphasising its commitment to meeting automotive industry standards and highlighting its partnerships with leading car manufacturers.

"Linglong is fully committed to the quality, reliability and safety of its tyre products. Our highest priority is to guarantee drivers and manufacturers the highest standards in tyre technology," the company said in a statement from its German subsidiary.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan comes equipped from the factory with a Linglong Original Equipment tyre in size 255/45 R19 100V, marking a significant win for the Chinese manufacturer in the premium European market. The Ultra High-Performance tyre was specifically developed according to Volkswagen's requirements and carries a "+" marking on the sidewall, which "stands for a noticeable plus in quality, comfort, performance, and efficiency."

Linglong emphasised that development work took place "in close coordination with Volkswagen, with a focus on criteria such as driving dynamics, safety, comfort, mileage, and emission reduction." The company said it adheres to the same specifications as all other premium original equipment tyres regardless of their origin.

Building on their successful 2024 collaboration, Goodyear and streetwear brand Anti Social Social Club (ASSC) have reunited through IMG Licensing to launch a bold new capsule collection celebrating racing culture. The limited-edition line blends ASSC's rebellious aesthetic with Goodyear's rich motorsport heritage, paying tribute to the iconic Goodyear Blimp and the brand's century of track innovation.

The collection features adrenaline-charged designs across apparel and accessories. Standout pieces include racing-inspired ‘Catch the Feeling’ tops with driver's seat graphics and international race flags, ‘High Performance’ hoodies showcasing the Goodyear Blimp, and ‘Wet Tyre’ tees with tread-pattern branding. Motorsport enthusiasts can also find spark-generating race car graphics on ‘Sparks’ collection pieces, while the ‘Eagle’ line incorporates blimp imagery across button-ups and swim trunks.

Complementing the apparel are podium-worthy accessories like a dual-branded Zippo lighter, flag-adorned keychain and racing gloves. The crown jewel is the Podium Cap, featuring wreath detailing that channels vintage motorsport victory celebrations. Each piece fuses ASSC's signature irreverence with Goodyear's legacy of high-performance racing technology.

This marks the second collaboration between the tire giant and streetwear disruptor, following their October 2024 drop that similarly celebrated automotive culture through fashion. The new collection continues to bridge the worlds of competitive racing and contemporary street style.

Maxxis continues its successful partnership with the Nissan Acceleration Team (NAT) for the 2025 racing season, supplying high-performance tyres including the Victra VR-1, Victra VR2, RAZR AT (for Altima) and Bravo HP-M3 (for Versa) models. These tyres will equip NAT's diverse fleet featuring Sentra, Z, Z NISMO and CS23 vehicles across 39 AutoX and RallyX events.

The volunteer-driven team of Nissan engineers and technicians, Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA), founded in 2019, has grown to include Arizona Testing Center (ATC) members while maintaining its winning tradition. NAT enters the season with strong momentum following a dominant 1-2 finish at Detroit's Milan March Madness rallycross event. The team will also showcase its capabilities at September's ZCON convention in Nashville, the premier gathering for Z car enthusiasts.

Mark Lin, OE Account Manager, Maxxis – Canada, said, “We’re proud to partner with Nissan and help this team live their passion for motorsports. Everyone at Maxxis is cheering them on, and we’re delighted that our tyres help them to roar across the finish line in first place.”