In 2025, Comerio Ercole proudly celebrates 140 years of activity – a monumental milestone that reflects not only the strength of its legacy but also the resilience, adaptability and innovative spirit that have shaped its journey since 1885.

From its origins as a manufacturer of machinery and industrial plants, Comerio Ercole has grown into a globally respected industrial group, fully integrated from design to commissioning, operating with precision, quality and commitment to technological advancement. Headquartered in Busto Arsizio and Castellanza, with over 55,000 square metres of operational facilities, Comerio Ercole remains a beacon of excellence in the tyre industry supplying high-performance complete rubber calender lines.

A legacy rooted in excellence

Built on generations of family leadership and continuous investment in knowledge and infrastructure, Comerio Ercole has positioned itself as a pioneer in patented calendering and mixing technologies, with machinery and solutions operating in India and on every continent. The company's ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications underscore its ongoing dedication to quality, sustainability and safety.

Over the decades, Comerio Ercole has cultivated long-term partnerships with key players in industrial innovation. These alliances – both technological and commercial – have enabled the company to develop tailored solutions for its clients, often in the form of turnkey plants, revamping services or customised IoT-enabled systems. The company's R&D activities, supported by two state-of-the-art laboratories, continue to lead the way in circular economy practices and recycling technologies, including processing of recovered rubber materials.

Engineering the future: INDUSTRY 5.0

As the industrial world enters the ‘Industry 5.0’ era, Comerio Ercole is embracing the future with agility. A new, dedicated Industry 5.0 department is now operational to support global customers with advanced IoT integration, teleservice and remote maintenance systems.

With a strong emphasis on ESG sustainability, digital transformation and the human-centric approach of Industry 5.0, Comerio Ercole continues to position itself at the cutting edge of modern manufacturing.

Circular economy & environmental commitment

In partnership with other Italian companies, Comerio Ercole is driving a new industrial standard for rubber recycling through the LOGOS patented plant – a compact devulcanisation solution that transforms vulcanised rubber waste into 100 percent reusable compounds for tyre and rubber production​. This new project is a clear signal: the company’s future is circular, and sustainability is more than a goal – it’s an operational strategy.

People, values, vision

At the heart of Comerio Ercole’s longevity is its people – over 200 highly trained technicians, engineers and professionals – and its values: quality, technology, reliability, competence and service.

Through continuous education and a company-wide ‘Quality Culture’, Comerio Ercole empowers its teams to meet the most demanding global challenges.

What’s next?

Comerio Ercole is not just preparing for the future, it’s building it. As it enters this new era, the company is focused on:

• Scalable IoT & AI solutions for every machine and plant
• Sustainable production models compliant with international ESG regulation
• Custom engineering projects
• Global partnerships to co-create innovation

As it looks to the future, Comerio Ercole stands not only as a symbol of Italian industrial heritage but also as a visionary leader shaping the future of manufacturing – a company ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges with the same passion and precision that defined its first 140 years.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone India announced the winners of the 5th Edition of its Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA) 2025 in Pune, celebrating organisations that use mobility for social good.

The top honour in the Road Safety Innovation and Excellence category went to ALERT (Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team) from Chennai for empowering over 450,000 citizens with emergency response skills. Safety Research Foundation (SRF), based in Pune, received a Jury Commendation for its BRACE Project, which transforms school zones with safety audits and infrastructure upgrades.

In the Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities category, The Association of People with Disability (APD), Bengaluru, won the top honour for its Rehab on Wheels initiative, which provides last-mile rehabilitation services.

The winners were presented with their awards by social worker Dr. Girish Kulkarni, founder of Snehalaya.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Group President, Bridgestone Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said: “It is a privilege to honour these changemakers who are redefining mobility for social good. Their work reflects our shared commitment to building inclusive, safe, and empowered communities.”

Jeya Padmanaban, Founding Trustee, Safety Research Foundation (SRF), said, “We are truly honoured to receive the Jury Commendation at the Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards 2025. The BRACE Project reflects our belief that road safety must begin at the community level, where awareness and infrastructure meet action. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue building safer environments for children and fostering a culture of responsibility and care on our roads.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.

Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.

Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.

The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.

“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.

“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”

The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.

Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”

The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.

ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.

In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.

Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.

Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”

“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!