What happens when the best in their field come together to form a new force? They produce expertise, innovative products and excellence. Groundbreaking cord-cutting and extrusion technologies enable tyre manufacturers worldwide to customise tyres for today’s mobility and tomorrow’s demands. Fischer TireTech’s firm emphasis on quality, safety and most importantly, sustainability makes them the manufacturers’ preferred choice of the future. The merger of KE Fischer and Konštrukta-TireTech drives the world of tyres into the future – keeping the tyre world rolling!

From 2025, well-established companies Karl Eugen Fischer and Konštrukta-Tiretech join forces under a new name and logo. As Fischer TireTech, it offers an entire portfolio of machinery, technology expertise and services for tyre production to the international leaders of tyre producers.

More than 600 enthusiastic engineers, developers, machine builders, service technicians and project managers are joining forces on a global scale.

Their established locations throughout the world, with cutting equipment in Germany, extrusion equipment in Slovakia, service and spare parts available globally, as well as their affiliates in US, China and India, they are more than ready to meet customer needs.

TWO BECOME ONE: NEW BRAND, DOUBLE THE EXPERTISE, MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

Following the merger in 2022, Karl Eugen Fischer and Konštrukta Tiretech have completed the last step in the course of strategic realignment. By combining expertise, technical competence and resources, Fischer TireTech is now able to respond to the needs of tyre manufacturers in an even more customer-oriented manner.

Fischer TireTech Management Board (from L to R): Detlef Knorr, Dr Kristijan Bauer, Marcel Drgala and Tilo Heinen

“Fischer TireTech merges KE Fischer’s technology leadership in cord cutting machines with Konštrukta-TireTech’s innovative extrusion equipment for the tyre industry – we share the same values and engineering mindset. By joining forces together, we open up exciting new opportunities to advance how tyres are being produced. We will work as a preferred development partner for new production technologies and as a supplier of leading-edge machine equipment. Our after-sales technicians located nearby will help our customers to maximise their efficiency in production,” says Dr Kristijan Bauer, CEO.

The year 2025 marks a new chapter, with Fischer TireTech entering the market as a new, unified power, unfolding a better visibility of the two divisions and more guidance for the field. Operating as solely one main partner to the customer. Unifying Employees across the globe with a shared company identity and synergies that will directly benefit the customers. A fresh start into an era of global cohesion.

WHAT DRIVES FISCHER TIRETECH?

Fischer TireTech is driven by its relentless customer focus and orientation to enable customers to produce high-quality, safe tyres with unique designs that strengthen their brand success. By adhering to the highest standards for skill and performance, the company sets ambitious goals and always prioritises customer needs, reflected in the company’s vision and mission. Fischer TireTech envisions to be a global leader in cord-cutting and extrusion technologies. As a trusted partner to the tyre industry, it helps customers create the best, safest and most sustainable tyre manufacturing solutions for global mobility. Hence, it takes on the task of supporting its partners with advanced machinery and expertise. By working closely with customers, it provides custom production lines, introduces new machinery and offers training to ensure outstanding efficiency and success in tyre production.

NEW JOINT VENTURE IN INDIA

Utilising synergies creatively to produce one-of-a-kind solutions is one of Fischer TireTech’s preferred ways of responding to customer needs and market requirements. One of the main priorities for the future is to strengthen its international market position. To this end, Fischer TireTech will enter into a joint venture with Dawnsun, a long-term Indian business partner, which has close business ties in the tyre industry in India. The aim is to expand the global market position and to leverage joint benefits for customers.

WHAT THE MARKET AND CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT FROM FISCHER TIRETECH

Fischer TireTech is committed to being the reliable and innovative partner for the tyre industry worldwide – now and into the future. As the technology and market leader in cutting and extrusion technologies for tyre manufacturing, Fischer TireTech supports customers around the world in creating new opportunities to deliver the highest quality, safest and most sustainable tyres for global mobility. The merger has expanded the product portfolio, maximised service and doubled innovation, flexibility and creativity.

Trust and team spirit are hallmarks of Fischer TireTech. Focusing on maintaining and expanding our competencies for the future, shaping the key focus on the 2025 agenda: precisely prioritising customer needs, innovation and environmental sustainability to drive the world of tyres into the future.

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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 31^st 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.

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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.

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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.

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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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