BKT Extends Big Bash League Partnership Until 2028-29 Season
- By TT News
- July 24, 2026
Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has extended its partnership with Cricket Australia for a further three years, remaining the naming rights partner of the Golden Cap awards in the Big Bash League (BBL) until the end of the 2028-29 season. The renewal takes the partnership beyond a decade, making it one of the league's longest-running commercial agreements.
BKT has been an Official League Partner of the Big Bash League since 2018. The companies said the extension reflects their continued commitment to supporting the growth of Australian cricket while enhancing the experience for players and fans.
Over the course of the partnership, BKT has developed a strong presence across the Big Bash Leagues through its association with the tournament and fan engagement initiatives. The renewed agreement, the companies said, reflects a long-term relationship built on community engagement and a shared commitment to Australian cricket.
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT, said: “The extension of the partnership with the BBL has continued to evolve since 2018, bringing us to achieve significant milestones together. Australia remains a strategic market for BKT, and cricket is one of the country's most popular and passionately followed sports, bringing together millions of fans every year. That’s why we are pleased to continue supporting one of the world's most exciting cricket competitions through the 2028/29 season. We look forward to building on the success we have achieved together and creating lasting value for our stakeholders, partners and fans around the world.”
Alistair Dobson, General Manager of the Big Bash Leagues at Cricket Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with BKT, who has been such a fantastic supporter of the Big Bash for nearly a decade. The BKT Golden Bat and BKT Golden Arm caps have long been popular with players and fans and a great way to celebrate the world-class batting and bowling across both the BBL and WBBL. BKT Big Bash Tipping also adds to the fan experience, giving fans another avenue to engage with the leagues and challenge their friends, families and workplaces. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on our strong relationship with BKT as this partnership extends beyond a decade in the coming years.”
The companies said they would continue to work together as the partnership enters its second decade, with a focus on innovation, fan engagement and the long-term development of Australian cricket.
KraussMaffei Names Ren To Lead Extrusion Unit Alongside China Role
- By TT News
- September 08, 2026
KraussMaffei has appointed Xinting Ren as Managing Director of its extrusion business, effective 1 September, 2026, combining the role with his existing leadership of the group’s China operations.
Ren succeeds Ralf Benack, who left the company at his own request on 31st August , ending a tenure of about two years.
The company said the dual appointment is intended to strengthen integration between its extrusion activities and international operations.
Ren has led KraussMaffei China for the past three years, overseeing cross-technology activities in the Chinese market. Before joining the group, he held several management roles in the chemical industry, including Assistant General Manager at KraussMaffei Company Limited, now operating as Sinochem Equipment Technology Qingdao Co., and most recently served as general manager of Shanxi China Coal Pingshuo Energy Chemical Co., Ltd.
Benack took over leadership of KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2024 and was responsible for the group’s global extrusion business. During his tenure, the company focused on operational processes and customer orientation, reducing delivery times and further developing the Technology Center at its Laatzen site.
The facility now offers 26 pilot lines for development and customer projects, and the company said it also expanded its extrusion technology portfolio.
From September, responsibility for the extrusion business and management of the China business will be combined under Ren’s leadership.
Nokian Tyres Launches Summer Tyre With Top EU Label Ratings Across Range
- By TT News
- September 08, 2026
Nokian Tyres plc has introduced a new premium summer tyre, the Powerproof E, designed for Central and Southern European markets, with A-class ratings in all three European Union tyre label categories across its full range.
The company said the tyre achieves top grades for rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise, reflecting a development approach aimed at balancing efficiency, safety and comfort within a single product.
“Whether the priority is maximizing range and efficiency or achieving confidence and comfort in wet conditions, drivers should not have to compromise on safety. The new Nokian Tyres Powerproof E is designed to deliver outstanding performance in the areas that matter most to drivers,” said Tommi Alhola, Senior Vice-President for Passenger Car tyres in Central Europe.
Samu Lepistö, development manager at the company, added: “Achieving A-class ratings in all three EU tire label categories across the entire range is a significant result. These characteristics are all important to today's drivers yet improving one can often affect another. Nokian Tyres Powerproof E was developed to deliver balanced performance across all three areas.”
The tyre incorporates what the company calls Motion Control Technology, combining tread design, compound development and structural engineering to support efficiency and wet-weather performance.
Depending on size, between 40.9 percent and 42.8 percent of the tyre’s material content consists of recycled and renewable inputs, including rice husk ash, recycled carbon black and recycled steel.
Production takes place at the group’s factory in Oradea, Romania, which opened in 2024 and operates with zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, powered by renewable energy.
The Powerproof E is designed for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and crossover vehicles, including electric, hybrid and internal combustion models. It will be available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches for the 2027 summer season in Central and Southern Europe.
Frank Buntinx Takes Helm As Managing Director Of Continental Tire Canada
- By TT News
- September 08, 2026
Continental Tire Canada has appointed Frank Buntinx as its new Managing Director, effective 17 August 2026. In this executive capacity, he assumes comprehensive oversight of the organisation’s entire Canadian tyre portfolio, which encompasses passenger and light truck vehicles, commercial truck lines and specialised tyre segments. His leadership will guide the strategic direction and operational performance across these diverse business units.
A native of Belgium, Buntinx brings over two decades of tenure with Continental, having commenced his career there in 2003 within logistics and supply chain management. Over the years, he has accumulated a broad commercial skillset through successive roles in marketing, pricing strategy, business analytics, fleet operations and sales. His professional trajectory later elevated him to senior leadership positions in the Benelux region, where he directed marketing efforts and subsequently headed Fleet Solutions and Truck Tires, thereby acquiring multifaceted management expertise.
This transatlantic appointment signifies a pivotal career transition for Buntinx, offering him the chance to infuse the Canadian market with an international vantage point. His arrival is anticipated to bolster Continental’s regional presence, leveraging his extensive cross-functional background to navigate the complexities of the domestic tyre industry and drive organisational growth.
“I am truly excited to join Continental Tire Canada and begin this new chapter. Continental has built a strong business and reputation in the Canadian market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team to build on that success, strengthening Continental's position while supporting the growth and success of our customers,” said Buntinx.
Dunlop To Exit Karting Tyre Segment By 2027
- By TT News
- September 07, 2026
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., which operates the Dunlop brand, will discontinue the supply of karting tyres by the end of 2027 as part of a strategic review of its business and allocation of management resources.
The company said it would continue supplying products to existing customers until December 31, 2027.
Dunlop has produced karting tyres since 1976, supplying products homologated by the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA), under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, as well as tyres accredited by the Japan Automobile Federation.
The company said its products had supported a wide range of users, from recreational drivers to young drivers aiming to compete at higher levels, and had contributed to the development of karting participation.
It added that the decision followed a review of its medium- to long-term management strategy and changes in the business environment.
The group said it would continue to contribute to motorsport activities, while expressing appreciation to customers and organisations that had supported its karting tyre business.
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