Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC), one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world, is shutting down its Hadera factory in Israel, effective 31 December, 2024.

The company says over the past several years, tyre makers have been setting up their manufacturing facilities in South Asia, which provided local raw materials sourcing as well as competitive labour costs. This has led to Israel loosing its competitive advantage, along with the high transport costs on busy routes for exporting tyres from Israel.

Then there is also the environmental and structural shift in the tyre manufacturing industry, wherein YRC is focussing on attaining “sustainable profitability to secure its future.”

The Hadera plant is one of the over 30 facilities in YRC's global network. It has been operations for more than 70 years. As of August 2024, the Hadera facility had around 474 employees.

The closure of the facility is part of YRC's consolidation plans to align its production footprint with market conditions. The tyre maker said that the closure of the Israel plant is a difficult but necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of YRC.

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Cooper Tires is broadening its winter portfolio across passenger cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles in the EMEA region. The expansion leverages over a century of expertise to deliver dependable performance for real-world winter conditions. The move underscores ongoing regional investment and aligns with a new global identity centred on toughness and practical tyre solutions.

The enhanced lineup achieves 92 percent market coverage across EMEA. Engineered for icy roads, snow and fluctuating temperatures, the portfolio maintains driver control and consistent performance in severe conditions.

The range includes Cooper Winter for passenger cars and SUVs, and Cooper Winter Van for commercial vehicles. The passenger tyre uses a high-silica compound with oil and resin technology for wet and snow traction, while dense siping enhances braking and handling. Optimised casing design improves efficiency, and the 132 SKUs cover 14- to 21-inch rims, all EV-ready.

The van tyre prioritises durability, mileage and control with V-shaped grooves for wet handling, an interlocking groove network for snow traction and a tread strengthener for extended life. Twenty SKUs cover 14 to 17 inches and are EV-ready. Further portfolio expansion is planned from 2027, reinforcing Cooper's position as a trusted winter driving partner.

Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA, said, “The expanded winter portfolio forms part of Cooper’s broader investment in the brand, following the unveiling of a bold new global brand identity rooted in toughness, confidence and real‑world capability. This is supported by renewed product investment, dedicated customer activation programmes and marketing activity designed to build awareness and consideration across Europe.”

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Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has expanded its premier Geomax motocross lineup with the debut of the Geomax MX54, a new intermediate-hard tyre engineered to surpass its predecessor in both versatility and performance. The latest offering broadens the applicable terrain spectrum while delivering a more sophisticated performance package aimed at riders across the skill spectrum, from weekend amateurs to seasoned professionals.

Positioned as the direct successor to the Geomax MX53, this new tyre effectively closes the gap left by the discontinued hard-terrain Geomax MX71 and the soft-medium Geomax MX34. This strategic integration streamlines the broader Geomax family, which retains the popular MX14 sand and mud tyre, resulting in a more cohesive and user-friendly range for off-road enthusiasts. The technological refinements ensure the MX54 provides outstanding grip and durability, hallmarks of a tyre trusted in elite competitions like the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Extensive on-track development with top motocross athletes has already proven the MX54’s capabilities in demanding championships, ensuring that race-proven technology filters down to everyday riders. The tyre features comprehensive updates to both front and rear profiles. The front incorporates a redesigned block layout and enlarged block sizes to boost rigidity and grip on softer ground, while the rear utilises a reduced number of blocks with greater spacing between rows to enhance traction and deliver predictable handling across a wider array of conditions, drawing inspiration from the Geomax MX34 for improved ground contact feedback.

The Geomax MX54 continues Dunlop’s winning legacy, building on a record-breaking 2025 season that saw Romain Febvre claim the World Championship and adding multiple MX2 Grand Prix victories so far this year. Now available for purchase, the tyre comes in a comprehensive range of 17 sizes, accommodating front wheels from 10 to 21 inches and rear fitments spanning 10 to 19 inches.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “The new Dunlop Geomax MX54 features advancements that allow it to be much more versatile than MX53. We have worked closely with top MXGP teams to deliver improved grip across all terrain for riders of all levels. With the broadened scope of MX54, the Geomax range is our strongest and most versatile motocross range yet, drawing on our innovations from winning in top professional championships.”

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Discount Tire is launching complimentary tyre safety inspections across its network of more than 1,275 US locations in observance of National Tire Safety Week, scheduled from 29 June through 4 July 2026. The initiative comes just ahead of the busy Independence Day travel period, aiming to equip motorists with essential vehicle care before summer road trips.

Citing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, proper inflation can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 11 cents per gallon and add nearly 5,000 miles to a tire’s usable life. To support safe driving, the company advises monthly pressure checks, particularly before extended journeys, since temperature fluctuations affect PSI levels and can compromise handling or cause irregular wear. A simple penny test – with Lincoln’s head fully visible indicating worn tread – along with rotations every 6,000 miles and verification of the tyre’s age via its DOT sidewall number, are among the key recommendations. Drivers seeking personalised options can utilise the Treadwell tool for tailored selections.

In partnership with the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, Discount Tire reinforces its year-round educational commitment, offering free tread, pressure and rotation services at both Discount Tire and America’s Tire stores. For those needing replacements, an instant savings promotion of up to USD 80 on select tyres and wheels runs from 30 June to 9 July. Appointments are available for all complimentary checks throughout the year.

Tom Williams, Chief Experience Officer, Discount Tire, said, "With household budgets under increasing pressure from rising costs, maintaining your tires is a practical way to save money while prioritizing safety,". "Whether families are traveling to a local event or embarking on a road trip to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, our technicians are committed to helping them prepare for safe, reliable journeys."

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Tegeta Green Planet attended the closing ceremony and teachers' award presentation for the ‘Education for a Green Future’ project, hosted by the Environmental Information and Education Center under Georgia's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture as part of World Environment Day observances. As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, the company conferred its own special awards upon three educators during the event.

The project aims to support preschool and primary school teachers who integrate environmental and agricultural educational resources into their teaching, making meaningful contributions to raising ecological awareness among children and young people. Nearly 150 educators participated in this year's competition, presenting diverse, creative and results-oriented environmental education projects.

Tegeta Green Planet has operated since 2022 as one of Georgia's first authorised Extended Producer Responsibility organisations, managing waste streams including used tyres, waste oils and batteries through collection, transportation and recycling in accordance with circular economy principles. The company recognised Ketevan Tskhvariashvili from Kakabeti Public Kindergarten No. 2, Darina Malatsidze from Mikeltskaro Public School and Sopio Gvelesiani from Kutaisi Public School No. 40.

Laptops were awarded to the winning educators as incentives. Supporting initiatives that strengthen environmental education and promote sustainable development values remains a key priority for the company. The long-running ‘Education for a Green Future’ project has consistently integrated environmental topics into schooling, uniting innovative teachers and proving that education serves as a fundamental foundation for environmental progress.

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