TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has added Fortix to its roster of Commercial Partners, strengthening its long-running efforts to promote safer tyres and wheels throughout the automotive and road transport industries.

Fortix, a Crane Electronics brand, contributes specialist knowledge in torque management built on over 50 years of engineering heritage. Both organisations share a commitment to educating the industry on why the correct torque must be applied when wheels are swapped and why fasteners require proper tightening afterwards.

Wheel installation plays a critical role in keeping vehicles safe, making adherence to manufacturer-specified torque values essential whenever a wheel is taken off and put back on. The tie-up also coincides with the start of October's National Tyre Safety Month, the yearly campaign stressing that well-maintained tyres are fundamental to safety on the roads. During this year's push, Fortix will emphasise torque literacy and the consequences of getting it wrong for a vehicle's safety and performance.

Fortix manufactures digital torque equipment for the aftermarket, serving roadside recovery, fleet servicing and bus depot operations, among others. Its product line features the AMWrench digital torque wrench and the Fortix Tool Connect Bluetooth app, which logs torque readings as they happen. Through the partnership, Fortix will feed its torque management know-how into TyreSafe's broader wheel safety programme, with joint educational and awareness initiatives planned to deepen understanding of safe wheel fitting and correct torque application.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Fortix as a TyreSafe Commercial Partner. Their longstanding expertise in torque management complements TyreSafe’s work to promote safer tyre and wheel practices. When a tyre or wheel is replaced, there are a number of important considerations beyond the tyre itself. Ensuring that wheels are correctly fitted and that wheel nuts are tightened to the appropriate torque is an important part of the process. This partnership provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of that message and share practical information with those involved in maintaining and servicing vehicles. We look forward to working with Fortix and supporting their activity in raising awareness of the importance of correct torque.”

Sean Gynane, Sales Director, Fortix, said, “We’re very pleased to be joining TyreSafe as a Commercial Partner. There is a clear connection between TyreSafe’s work to promote tyre and wheel safety and our own focus on raising awareness of the importance of correct torque. Torque is an important consideration whenever wheels and other critical fasteners are removed and refitted, but it is an area where greater awareness and understanding can make a real difference. We’re looking forward to working with TyreSafe to share information and promote good practice, particularly around the importance of following the correct torque specifications and ensuring wheel nuts are properly secured.”

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Dr Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion has been honoured with the 2026 Fernley H. Banbury Award, a prestigious international accolade bestowed by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The award, which annually celebrates exceptional scientific and technological advances in rubber processing, was formally presented on 28 September at the Global Polymer Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, US.

Dr Nijman's career has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to rubber rheology, mixing and multiplex extrusion technologies, along with silica compound processing for the tyre sector. During the 1990s at Vredestein, he pioneered novel mixing methods and multiplex extrusion for tyre manufacturing. His work on silica compound processes provided a foundation for innovations such as Michelin's ‘Green Tyre’, while his rheology-based designs for extruder screws and flow channels established enduring industry standards.

The recognition reflects not only these specific technical achievements but also his distinguished career and lasting influence on rubber processing, having successfully bridged the divide between scientific research and industrial application throughout his professional life.

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Goodyear has unveiled its 2026 UltraGrip winter tyre portfolio for Europe and the broader EMEA region, targeting drivers who face cold temperatures, snow, ice and slush. The lineup comprises three products tailored to different vehicles, climates and driving requirements: UltraGrip Performance 3, UltraGrip Ice 3 and UltraGrip Arctic 2. The 2026 range builds on the existing product family through added sizes and SKUs, widening vehicle fitment coverage across the region, while also introducing an update to the UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Collectively, the range addresses everyday winter driving as well as severe icy and harsh winter conditions. Every tyre features winter-specific tread designs, rubber compounds and construction technologies engineered to support grip, braking and stability in cold-weather environments. The portfolio is available through authorised Goodyear retailers and partners across EMEA, subject to regional specifications and stock availability.

The portfolio is organised into three categories. Winter standard tyres, intended for variable winter conditions, deliver strong snow and wet-road performance while retaining dry-road control, suiting regions where temperatures frequently fall below 7°C and drivers regularly meet rain, snow, slush and ice. Goodyear expanded the UltraGrip Performance 3 with 66 new coverage SKUs, bringing that range to 344 SKUs and providing the widest coverage available through a single winter tyre tread pattern. Winter ice tyres focus on ice and snow performance in demanding conditions while remaining capable on wet and dry cold-temperature roads, aimed at regions with harsh winters and temperatures frequently below 0°C; the UltraGrip Ice 3 gains 18 new SKUs for a total of 130.

Winter studded tyres emphasise ice performance and control on snow-covered roads for Nordic and other extreme winter regions. As Nordic winter tyre regulations evolve, Goodyear enhanced the UltraGrip Arctic 2 to meet the latest Traficom A+ requirement applying to all newly produced studded passenger car tyres from 1 January 2027. That range now comprises 122 SKUs, including seven additional SKUs added in 2026.

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Magna Tyres Group has unveiled a revamped Dealer Portal, now accessible to customers across the globe. The enhanced platform consolidates products, information and essential sales and marketing tools into a single online environment, designed to simplify dealers' daily business operations.

Access has been simplified, with the portal login now positioned directly on the company's homepage. This provides quick and straightforward entry to the platform. The renewed portal offers Magna Tyres' extensive product range alongside a broad selection of dealer resources.

These resources include comprehensive product details, technical information and documentation, marketing materials available to order and useful downloads and sales support tools. Initially, stock availability will be visible only to customers supplied directly by Magna Tyres' headquarters. The portal is expected to evolve further, with expanded functionality and accessibility planned over time.

By centralising these tools, Magna Tyres seeks to give customers faster access to relevant information and make ordering and sales as efficient as possible. The initiative reflects the group's ongoing commitment to strengthening customer service and supporting its dealer network with practical, accessible and effective resources.

Arno van der Linden, Sales Director, said, “With the enhanced Dealer Portal, we want to make it easier for our customers to do business with Magna Tyres. Dealers can now find our extensive product portfolio, technical information, marketing support and other important resources in one place.”

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The Indian tyre major adds 22-inch SUV tyres, new truck and bus sizes and racing motorcycle tyres to its second factory

CEAT has expanded manufacturing at its Chennai plant to produce more premium tyres for India, Europe and North America, the Indian tyremaker.

The expansion covers passenger car and sports utility vehicle (SUV), commercial vehicle and two-wheeler tyres.

CEAT said it had developed the capability to make the SportDrive SUV ZR22, making it the first Indian tyre company to produce 22-inch tyres in India. The range, aimed at large-rim, ultra-premium SUVs, uses CEAT CALM technology and is being introduced for sale in India.

The plant also makes the 4SeasonDrive+, an all-season tyre to European standards, designed for changing weather with a focus on wet grip. Another product, the CrossDrive RT, is a rugged-terrain tyre developed for the US off-road market. CEAT said it also suits regular road use and widens its premium SUV range in India.

Arnab Banerjee, managing director and chief executive, said: "The Chennai plant is an important part of CEAT's growth in India and international markets. The expanded capabilities allow us to manufacture increasingly sophisticated products across passenger vehicles, two wheelers and commercial vehicles, while responding to the distinct requirements of customers in markets such as Europe and North America. This investment strengthens our ability to compete in premium segments with products developed and manufactured in India."

Truck and bus tyres

The plant can now make seven advanced truck and bus radial (TBR) sizes for some of the fastest-growing premium segments in Europe and North America. CEAT said fleets now want lower fuel consumption, better ride comfort and handling, and readiness for electric vehicles, as well as durability and mileage.

The company said its new wide-base tyres can replace the traditional two-tyre arrangement on each wheel. That makes vehicles lighter, improves fuel efficiency and frees capacity to carry more load. The low-profile sizes are aimed at modern tractors, regional haulage, trailers and urban distribution fleets.

The plant is also scaling up production of light truck steel radial tyres in 15-inch, 16-inch and 17.5-inch sizes. CEAT said demand is rising in India and overseas as manufacturers introduce new light trucks and buses.

Two-wheeler range

In motorcycles, CEAT's SportRad Racing Slick range has been developed for racing and tested on demanding tracks by expert riders. The SportRad ST is a sport-touring range for motorcycles above 650cc, designed for long-distance riding, high-speed stability and cornering grip.

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