Comerio Ercole Marks 140 Years with Major R&D Expansion
- By TT News
- May 26, 2025
Italian industrial machinery manufacturer Comerio Ercole SpA is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year whilst unveiling significant investments in research and development capabilities as the family-owned company seeks to strengthen its position in global polymer processing markets.
The Busto Arsizio-based firm, which exports 94 percent of its production worldwide and employs 250 people across its group operations, has published a commemorative 272-page book documenting its industrial journey from 1885 to 2025. The company was founded by Ercole Comerio, known affectionately as “Ul Balösu”, who launched the enterprise the same year he married Teresa Marcora.
Comerio Ercole will showcase two major technological developments at its main production facility on 6th June, opening its doors to institutional partners and industry stakeholders. The company is launching a new universal Industry 5.0 manufacturing centre alongside an expanded R&D technology centre featuring advanced experimental equipment.
“Our corporate DNA is based on deep respect for tradition and constant forward-looking drive within an evolutionary process that never stops,” said Riccardo Comerio. “Every day we face challenging and stimulating situations that push us to keep improving.”
The R&D expansion includes two new experimental machines - one for mixing and one for calendaring - equipped with cutting-edge longitudinal stretching units for thin sheets. The facility’s main laboratory operates as a “mini-factory” with a four-roll calendering line that can be reconfigured to three or five rolls depending on process requirements.
The enhanced laboratory features a dual-feeding system accommodating direct extrusion and feeding from mills and internal mixers. A second laboratory houses a calendering line designed for the embossing processes of films and nonwovens, offering up to 100 different patterns for material enhancement.
These investments are designed to bolster the company’s capacity to support customers in developing new polymer and elastomer processing techniques. Comerio Ercole’s R&D team provides project support through patent validation, underlining the firm’s focus on technology and service delivery.
Economic journalist Luciano Landoni, who authored the commemorative book's afterword, highlighted the company’s entrepreneurial example. “The entrepreneurial example of Comerio Ercole is highly motivating, especially for young people, who now more than ever need concrete signals based on competence, passion and vision," he said.
The company operates under the corporate structure of Comerio Ercole SpA a Socio Unico, with a share capital of €2.2 million, and is coordinated by Comerio 1885 Holding Srl SB. Its machinery serves customers in the polymer and rubber processing industries globally, and the firm maintains its headquarters at Via Castellanza 100 in Busto Arsizio, northern Italy.
Epsilon Carbon Appoints Munish Kumar Rathi As President And Business Head For Carbon Black
- By TT News
- May 29, 2026
Epsilon Carbon Pvt. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Munish Kumar Rathi as its new President and Business Head for Carbon Black.
With more than 25 years of extensive global leadership experience, Rathi brings a strong background in profit and loss management, multi-site manufacturing leadership, strategic planning and business transformation. His career is marked by a demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence and foster sustainable growth across various international markets.
The company is anticipating that his leadership will play a key role as Epsilon Carbon continues to expand its global footprint and accelerate innovation within the carbon black business segment. The organisation has formally welcomed Rathi to the team, expressing confidence in his capacity to guide future strategic initiatives. This move underscores Epsilon Carbon’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team in pursuit of long-term global competitiveness.
TVS Srichakra Approves INR 2.2 billion Capacity Expansion For Madurai plants
- By Sharad Matade
- May 28, 2026
TVS Srichakra has approved capital investment of up to INR 2.2 billion to expand production capacity at its manufacturing facilities in Vellaripatti, Madurai.
The expansion will cover the company’s two-wheeler tyre and off-highway tyre plants, with investment of up to INR 1.1 billion allocated to each facility.
TVS Srichakra said the two-wheeler tyre plant currently has capacity of about 21 million to 23.5 million tyres a year and operates at utilisation levels of around 80 to 85 percent. The company plans to add about 5 percent capacity, with completion targeted in the first half of FY2028-29.
The off-highway tyre plant has existing capacity of about 75 to 85 metric tonnes a year and operates at utilisation levels of 75 to 80 percent. TVS Srichakra plans to increase capacity at the plant by about 25 percent, with the addition scheduled for the first half of FY2027-28.
The company said the investment would be financed through a combination of internal accruals and debt.
TVS Srichakra said the expansion is intended to meet growing demand for its two- and three-wheeler tyres and off-highway tyre products.
JK Tyre Reports Record FY26 Revenue of INR 163.84 Bln, Q4 PAT Jumps 94%
- By TT News
- May 27, 2026
JK Tyre & Industries reported record consolidated revenue of INR 163.84 billion for FY26, registering an 11 percent year-on-year increase, supported by strong domestic demand and volume growth across key tyre segments.
The company’s consolidated EBITDA rose 25 percent to INR 20.89 billion, with EBITDA margin improving to 12.8 percent.
Profit before tax increased 46 percent to INR 10.43 billion, while profit after tax climbed 52 percent to INR 8.60 billion during FY26.
For the fourth quarter, consolidated revenue rose 12 percent year-on-year to INR 42.33 billion.
Quarterly EBITDA surged 42 percent to INR 5.46 billion, with margin at 12.9 percent, while Q4 PAT nearly doubled, rising 94 percent to INR 1.99 billion.
Chairman and Managing Director Dr Raghupati Singhania described FY26 as a year of robust performance, highlighting record volumes in both truck and bus radial and passenger car radial categories.
Domestic sales volumes during Q4 grew 21 percent overall. Truck and bus radial replacement volumes increased 53 per cent, while OEM demand in the segment rose 23 percent. Passenger car radial replacement volumes were up 26 percent and OEM demand increased 10 percent.
The company said growth momentum was expected to continue into FY27, supported by new vehicle launches, infrastructure development and sustained replacement demand.
JK Tyre also highlighted strong traction in electric mobility. More than 70 per cent of electric buses operating in India currently run on its tyres, while the company supplies EV tyres to nearly eight two-wheeler OEMs and has secured orders for electric passenger vehicle models including Renault Duster EV, Hyundai Creta EV and Tata Motors’ Nexon and Punch EV variants.
Its Mexico business, operated through JK Tornel, contributed nearly 20 per cent of consolidated revenue and is expected to maintain growth across Mexican, Latin American and US markets.
- David Cichocki
- Anne Forristall Luke
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
Goodyear Executive David Cichocki Elected to USTMA Board
- By TT News
- May 21, 2026
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has elected David Cichocki, Managing Director, Americas, and chief sales officer, Americas Consumer, at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, to its board of directors.
“I’m pleased to welcome David to our Board. His extensive experience and expertise across the tire and consumer goods industries will be invaluable as we navigate today’s complex industry,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and chief executive. “His proven leadership will strengthen our ability to seize emerging opportunities.”
Cichocki joined Goodyear in early 2026 and is responsible for overseeing the Americas region and leading the company’s Americas Consumer sales business.
He brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across industrial and consumer goods companies to the USTMA board.
Before joining Goodyear, Cichocki served as senior vice-president of US sales at Whirlpool, where he managed a portfolio valued at more than $10bn across retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
He also spent more than 20 years at Kraft Foods and Nabisco in a range of senior leadership roles.
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