As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global trade routes and supply chains, tyre manufacturers are being forced to rethink not only where they sell, but how they grow. For KAMA Tyres – Russia’s largest and most diversified tyre manufacturer – this reassessment has become a defining element of its international strategy.

Rather than pulling back amid sanctions and market disruption, the company is steadily opening new doors, with the Middle East emerging as its next strategic frontier.

In an exclusive interaction with Tyre Trends, Shaydullin Ildar, Deputy Director – Marketing, KAMA Tyres, spoke about how the company is looking beyond its domestic market and recalibrating its global ambitions.

“We have rich experience of cooperation with machine producers across the world. This cooperation allows us to produce tyres exactly for certain machines – tyres that are suitable for specific clients,” Ildar said.

That customer-focused manufacturing capability, coupled with a broad and diversified product portfolio, is now underpinning KAMA Tyres’ cautious yet determined push into new international markets.

FROM 50 MARKETS TO 20: A STRATEGIC RESET

Until recently, KAMA Tyres had an expansive global footprint. “Earlier, we exported our tyres to more than 50 countries,” Ildar noted. Today, that number has come down significantly – not due to waning ambition, but because of shifting geopolitical realities.

“Now, because of the situation in the global market, we are exporting our tyres to around 20 countries,” he explained.

Despite the contraction, the company has retained a presence across a geographically diverse mix of regions. “For example, Egypt, Brazil, Turkey, Mongolia, Vietnam. Russia has good relations with Vietnam, so this is one of our key markets,” Ildar said.

This pragmatic reassessment mirrors a broader trend across Russian manufacturing – prioritising markets where political alignment, trade frameworks and logistics remain workable.

“At the same time, we are trying to open new markets. Right now, we are opening for ourselves the Gulf countries,” he added.

This shift also explains KAMA Tyres’ growing presence at regional trade exhibitions. “That is why we are here at this exhibition,” Ildar said, referring to Automechanika Dubai 2025. “This is the first time we are participating here.”

For KAMA Tyres, the Middle East represents a significant opportunity – but one that requires patience. “Yes, for us it is a really big opportunity. We are trying to open it step by step,” he said.

MIDDLE EAST ENTRY: OPPORTUNITY WITH A COMPLIANCE HURDLE

While the Middle East offers scale and strategic relevance, entry into the region is far from straightforward. Regulatory compliance remains the biggest challenge.

“We haven’t started selling our tyres here yet. At the moment, we are preparing,” Ildar clarified.

That preparation, he explained, is extensive. “We are doing all the necessary procedures to start selling our tyres. This includes connecting with potential clients and preparing documents and certification for this market.”

Certification is, by far, the most demanding hurdle. “The main opportunity for us is opening a new market, new clients and new sales. The big challenge is that this market needs different certification,” he said.

Still, the company remains resolute. “We are doing it and we will do it anyway,” Ildar said firmly.

KAMA has already begun building visibility in the region through trade events. “In May, we participated in an exhibition in Riyadh – I think it was Automechanika Riyadh,” he recalled.

The timeline for commercial entry is now clearly defined. “In 2026, we are planning to start selling our tyres here,” he confirmed, with the first quarter of calendar year 2026 emerging as the tentative target.

ONE COMPLEX, EVERY TYRE SEGMENT

One of KAMA Tyres’ key competitive strengths lies in the breadth of its manufacturing capability. Unlike many tyre manufacturers that specialise in one or two segments, KAMA operates as a fully integrated tyre complex.

“We are the only tyre complex in Russia that produces all groups of tyres,” Ildar explained.

The portfolio spans passenger car tyres (PCR), light truck tyres, truck and bus radials (TBR) and off-the-road (OTR) tyres. “We are ready to offer different kinds of tyres. And potential customers are asking us for different groups,” he said.

This versatility gives KAMA considerable flexibility as it enters new markets such as the Gulf, where demand spans multiple vehicle categories. “We can offer both TBR tyres and PCR tyres,” Ildar noted, adding that OTR tyres are also part of the company’s global offering.

Rather than rushing to push specific products, the approach is deliberately measured. “We want to understand the market first. And then offer what is needed,” he said.

This mindset reflects KAMA’s longstanding experience of working closely with OEMs and equipment manufacturers. “Our cooperation with machine producers allows us to make tyres exactly suitable for the machines,” Ildar reiterated.

SANCTIONS, SUPPLY CHAINS AND PREPAREDNESS

Sanctions have been a defining force shaping Russian industry over the past decade. For KAMA Tyres, however, preparedness has significantly softened the impact.

“About sanctions – we are prepared for this situation from 2014,” Ildar said.

This long-term approach has been especially critical in securing raw material supplies, an area where many global tyre manufacturers continue to face volatility.

“At the moment, we don’t have problems with supplying raw materials. We have producers of raw materials in the Russian market and in the Asian market too,” he explained.

By diversifying its sourcing base early, KAMA has ensured continuity even during periods of global disruption. “We are searching for different ways to be ready for any problems in the future,” he said.

As a result, the company has largely avoided the supply crunch faced by several global peers. “So now we have suppliers of raw materials and we don’t have a problem with it,” Ildar added.

In an industry increasingly shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, this resilience has become a competitive advantage.

INDIA ON THE HORIZON, BUT NO SHORTCUTS

Given the historically strong ties between India and Russia, the Indian market naturally features in discussions around KAMA Tyres’ longer-term expansion plans. However, Ildar is careful to manage expectations.

“We are moving step by step, starting with the Persian Gulf. If everything goes well, we will look at the Indian market,” he said.

The key constraint, he explained, is production capacity. “It depends on one thing – we have to sell Russian products. If we have free resources, we are ready to look at the Indian market.”

He is also realistic about the competitive intensity in India. “We understand that there are a lot of good products and strong competition in the Indian market,” Ildar noted.

Certification remains another important consideration. “At the moment, we do not export tyres to India because the Indian market needs BIS certification,” he confirmed.

Still, the door remains open. “If in the future we find potential clients who are interested in our products after studying the market, we will be glad to apply for this certification. We will be glad to open the Indian market too.”

For now, execution takes precedence over expansion promises. “Our strategy is to work step by step,” Ildar reiterated.

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TVS Srichakra Limited has assumed contractual rights and obligations from its US subsidiary under an agreement with Bristol Motor Speedway LLC.

The Madurai-based company said in a regulatory filing that it executed an assignment and assumption agreement on April 10, 2026 with Super Grip Corporation and Bristol Motor Speedway. Under the arrangement, TVS Srichakra takes over all rights, duties and obligations previously held by Super Grip Corporation under a suite licence agreement dated February 16, 2024 and a sponsorship agreement dated April 5, 2024.

The company will pay USD 1,033,250 in instalments over the remaining term of the agreements. No consideration is payable to Super Grip Corporation for the transfer.

The original terms of the licence and sponsorship agreements remain unchanged, and the arrangements are set to run until December 31, 2028.

TVS Srichakra said the move was intended to enhance the visibility and reach of its brands in global markets.

Super Grip Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, while Bristol Motor Speedway is an unrelated third party. The assignment between TVS Srichakra and Super Grip Corporation qualifies as a related party transaction and has been conducted on an arm’s length basis.

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Autopromotec has officially confirmed a new management structure, appointing Dr Enrica Lazzarini as Chief Executive Officer and Dr Guido Gambassi as Chief Strategy Officer. The decision, confirmed by the Board of Directors, reflects a strategy focused on leadership continuity by promoting experienced and respected internal figures already well established in the automotive equipment and aftermarket sector. The new leadership roles take effect from May 2026.

Under the new organizational chart, Dr Lazzarini was named Secretary General of AICA, the Italian Association of Automotive Equipment Manufacturers, on 5 March 2026. AICA jointly owns the Autopromotec trade fair with AIRP, the Italian Association of Tyre Retreaders. The next edition of the biennial exhibition is scheduled to take place from 26 to 29 May 2027, at the BolognaFiere exhibition centre.

Dr Gambassi now adds the CSO role to his existing responsibilities, which include serving as CEO of EditProm, the publisher of Pneurama magazine, as well as Secretary General of both AIRP and Federpneus, the National Association of Specialist Tyre Retailers. Federpneus operates its training workshop at the Casa Autopromotec headquarters.

The outgoing CEO and former AICA Secretary General, Renzo Servadei, who stepped down for personal reasons, has fully endorsed the new appointments. He has pledged his support for the upcoming 2027 edition to ensure strategic and organisational continuity across all entities responsible for the fair.

Dr Lazzarini said, “I welcome this new challenge with great enthusiasm and am honoured by the trust placed in me. Coordinating the next edition of Autopromotec will undoubtedly be stimulating, and I am certain that with the support of this team, which has been well-established for years, we will organise an event that lives up to the expectations of our exhibitors and visitors. The automotive sector is today increasingly characterised by structural and extremely dynamic innovations, which require the ability to react and analyse. Changes are happening so rapidly that it is now essential and fundamental to see and experience all the innovations first-hand, an opportunity that arises exclusively at events such as those made possible by Autopromotec.”

Dr Gambassi said, “What makes Autopromotec the most specialised trade fair in the sector is its ability to integrate innovations and market trends, thanks to its unique nature. Having a membership base and hosting so many organisations embedded within the fabric of the sector within its premises ensures that Autopromotec continues to be an international benchmark.”

Servadei said, “It is with great emotion and deep gratitude that I step down from both roles I have held to date, confident that the new management team at Autopromotec will carry forward the traditions that make our event unique whilst incorporating all the innovations the future holds. I am delighted that internal staff have been promoted, bringing with them their wealth of connections and relationships, which are our greatest asset: the ability to identify, understand and develop the needs of our exhibitors.”

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed Travis Parman as its new Chief Communications Officer. Parman will report directly to Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart as part of the executive leadership team.

In his new role, Parman is tasked with leading all global communications functions, which encompass media relations, associate communications and corporate reputation management. A key priority will be articulating Goodyear’s ongoing transformation journey and supporting the broader business strategy as the company pursues its vision of becoming number one in tyres and service.

Parman brings extensive experience from senior communications roles at major organisations, including Nissan Motor Corporation, General Motors, Renault Group, Ally Bank and most recently PMI U.S. His background includes guiding companies through complex changes and helping leadership teams connect strategic objectives with operational performance.

Stewart said, "Travis brings deep experience leading communications for complex, global organisations, which will help us engage both internal and external audiences as we share our story – building on the momentum of Goodyear Forward with a continued focus on operational excellence, delivering products that meet customer needs and driving sustainable growth. The communications function is critical to aligning our vision, core values and shared global objectives while building and protecting Goodyear's reputation and market positioning."

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Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, a leading independent global designer and manufacturer of high-performance tyres for commercial, military and freighter aircraft, has appointed Michael ‘Mick’ Wallwork as its new Chief Executive Officer. The company operates as a portfolio holding of Liberty Hall Capital Partners.

A seasoned industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in value creation for engineered industrial products, Wallwork joins Dunlop from Renold PLC, where he served as President of Renold Chain. In that role, he led roughly 1,250 employees across seven factories and eight service centres in Europe, China and India. His prior senior leadership positions included tenures at Manuli Hydraulics, Brammer and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, managing multinational operations across Europe, the Americas, Middle East and Asia.

Wallwork holds a Master of Science in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering and Design from Loughborough University. His extensive background in both original equipment and aftermarket industrial services positions him to lead Dunlop’s strategic growth across its global markets.

Michael Warren, Partner at Liberty Hall, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mick to Dunlop and look forward to partnering with him as he leads the company through its next phase of growth. Mick brings an extensive track record of developing high-performing teams and driving commercial and operational excellence to successfully build and scale global organisations. His leadership will be critical as Dunlop executes on its strategic value-creation plan, advances its next phase of growth initiatives and continues to deliver the highest-quality products to customers worldwide."

Wallwork said, "I am excited to join Dunlop to build upon its century-long legacy of innovation and excellence as the company enters its next phase of growth. Dunlop's well-established market standing and reputation for quality put us in a strong position to deliver on our strategy. I look forward to partnering with the team to drive operational excellence, invest in our dedicated people and deliver long-term value for our customers and stakeholders worldwide."

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