Jake Rønsholt has left Bridgestone after 12 years of service, during which he held several important positions and helped bring about some of the company's biggest changes in the EMEA area.

Rønsholt became Vice President of Strategy & Transformation for EMEA in 2020 after rising through the ranks from his position as General Manager of Corporate & Brand Communication Europe when he joined the company in 2012. Rønsholt was generally regarded with leading several important strategic initiatives during his tenure at Bridgestone, most notably the Consumer Tyre business turnaround in 2015. He contributed to the company's record-breaking financial success in 2021 and 2022 by assisting in its response to market disruption following Covid-19 and other difficulties.

Rønsholt's impact at Bridgestone was particularly noticeable in the way the business modified its operations and strategy in response to a shifting market environment. In order to develop forward-looking market models that assisted in guiding business choices during uncertain times, he played a significant role in redefining the company's vision and incorporating technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Rønsholt placed a strong focus on teamwork, purpose and long-term effects throughout his tenure as leader. Rønsholt has a Master's degree in Science of Management from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management and worked in marketing and business development at Unilever Europe before joining Bridgestone.

Rønsholt said, “I am immensely proud of what we achieved together, from record-breaking financial results to reshaping the company’s vision for the future. I leave with great memories, invaluable lessons, and strong relationships that I will always cherish. Bridgestone will forever remain in my heart. Business is nothing without people!”

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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.

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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.

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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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The Indian rubber and tyre machinery industry is mourning the passing of Daljeet Niranjan Singh, Founder of Santosh Rubber Machinery Pvt Ltd, who passed away yesterday. A prayer meeting in his memory will be held on 23^rd May 2026 in Mumbai.

Singh was recognised as a pioneering entrepreneur and industry veteran who played a key role in developing India’s rubber processing machinery sector. Under his leadership, Santosh Rubber Machinery grew into one of the country’s well-known manufacturers of rubber processing equipment, serving customers across the tyre, rubber goods, and industrial manufacturing industries.

Established in 1966, Santosh Rubber Machinery has built a strong reputation for engineering excellence and a wide product portfolio covering rubber mixing mills, dispersion kneaders, extruders, calender machines, hydraulic presses, autoclaves, and tyre recycling systems. The Mumbai-based company operates a 36,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and offers one of the largest ranges of rubber processing machinery under a single roof in India.

The company also earned recognition for its export performance and engineering excellence. Santosh Rubber Machinery has won many export awards. Most recently, it was honoured with the 23rd Export Award for Excellence in Export for Machinery Manufacturing by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), underlining its strong presence in international markets and longstanding contribution to the rubber machinery industry.

Industry associates remembered Singh as a visionary founder, respected mentor, and a man of integrity whose dedication and technical understanding helped shape Santosh Rubber Machinery’s growth over nearly six decades.

According to the family notice, the prayer meet will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm on 23 May 2026 at 1st Floor MPH, Tower A, Esquire by Oberoi Realty, Oberoi Garden City, Goregaon East, Mumbai.

He is survived by his family, loved ones and colleagues, who said his legacy and values will continue to inspire the industry for years to come.

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