KraussMaffei Group is set to implement a leadership transition at its subsidiary, KraussMaffei Technologies, with a change at the board level. Jörg Stech, who has served as Chairman of the Board and global head of injection moulding, automation and additive manufacturing since 2023, will be departing on 31 March 2026 at his own request. He will be succeeded by Dirk Musser, the current Head of Group Transformation at the parent company, who has been appointed as the new Managing Director effective 1 April 2026. The leadership handover between Stech and Musser is already in progress, ensuring a seamless transition.

Stech’s tenure unfolded during a difficult economic period marked by financial losses and a contracting market. He responded with decisive measures aimed at margin enhancement and balance sheet improvement, which laid the groundwork for the company's long-term stability. Under his direction, the product lineup for injection moulding and automation was revitalised with the introduction of the LRXplus linear robot, the fully electric PX series and the MC7 control system, all launched in late 2025 alongside new artificial intelligence tools. He also launched a multi-year development initiative and pushed the company into new markets, such as aerospace and drone technology, by leveraging expertise in specialised processes like ColorForm. Through a focus on operational excellence, pricing discipline and capital efficiency, Stech guided the company to a significantly more resilient position compared to three years prior, despite the persistent downturn in injection moulding.

Musser brings to his new role extensive experience in transformation and finance. In his current capacity, he has already been closely involved with KraussMaffei Technologies, collaborating with its leadership to drive strategic initiatives and enhance operational performance. His qualifications include sharp analytical abilities, a strong grasp of industrial processes and a broad international perspective. An economist by training, Musser has accumulated over 20 years of leadership experience across various technology and industrial sectors. His background includes leading major transformation and turnaround projects at CRRC New Material Technologies, where he stabilised plant earnings in North America, as well as directing operational and financial restructurings during his time at Deloitte. He has also held roles with P&L responsibility, managing global supply chains and post-merger integrations at CRONIMET and has prior experience with automotive manufacturers including Daimler and Fujian Benz Automotive in China.

Alex Li, CEO, KraussMaffei Group, said, "Jörg Stech took on responsibility in a difficult situation, set clear priorities and launched decisive initiatives. The successful market launch of the LRXplus linear robot and the all-electric PX machine series, the consistent focus on profitability and the sustainable strengthening of our balance sheet are visible results of this work. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Jörg Stech for his leadership, integrity and team spirit. We value Dirk Musser as a leader who combines strategic clarity with operational excellence. In a short period of time, he has provided vital impetus for the transformation of the group and impresses with his analytical strength, decisiveness and deep understanding of our processes – not least through his successful collaboration with the managing directors of KraussMaffei Technologies. We are convinced that he will continue on this path with clarity and creative drive to successfully align KraussMaffei Technologies."

Stech said, "After many years in an environment full of technological, economic and geopolitical challenges, I look back with great gratitude on a time in which I was always surrounded by an exceptional workforce. Together, we achieved things that many initially thought were impossible. This cooperation, this willingness to push boundaries and create something new, was a joy for me. My special thanks go to all stakeholders in the company and, of course, to all employees. I leave with respect, gratitude and the conviction that this long-established company will continue to achieve great things in the future."

Musser said, "Together with my fellow managing directors Dr Frank Szimmat and Markus Bauer, I want to resolutely drive forward the further development of KraussMaffei Technologies. Our focus is on further expanding stability and performance and taking the necessary steps to successfully position the company in a dynamic market environment. I look forward to shaping this path together with our teams.”

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Dow Inc. said its chief executive Jim Fitterling will become executive chair of the board from 1 July , 2026, with chief operating officer Karen S Carter appointed as chief executive.

Carter will also join the board on the same date, while Richard Davis will continue as independent lead director.

The company said the changes follow a multi-year succession planning process and are intended to ensure continuity as it advances its strategy as a materials science group.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Jim for his exceptional leadership and continued contributions to Dow,” Davis said. “Jim has led the company through a period of significant transformation while strengthening Dow's strategy, culture and long-term positioning. We are equally pleased to congratulate Karen on her appointment as CEO. She is a disciplined, highly respected leader with a deep understanding of Dow's businesses and customers. This appointment reflects our confidence in her ability to lead Dow forward into its next chapter of growth and value creation for customers, employees and shareholders.”

Fitterling, who has been chief executive since 2018 and chair since 2020, oversaw the company’s separation from DowDuPont and led its repositioning towards higher-growth, consumer-led markets. He also guided the group through broader macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, while advancing its sustainability ambitions and corporate culture.

“Serving as CEO of Dow has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Fitterling said. “Together with our employees and leadership team, we have transformed Dow into a stronger, more focused company with the right strategy, capabilities and culture for the future. I look forward to continuing to support Dow as Executive Chair and working closely with Karen to help ensure continuity and strong execution.”

As executive chair, Fitterling will continue to lead the board, focusing on long-term strategy, governance and external relationships.

Carter, who has spent more than three decades at Dow, currently oversees business and operational performance across the company as chief operating officer. She previously led the packaging and specialty plastics division, the group’s largest operating segment, where she focused on capacity expansion, asset upgrades and operational reliability, alongside efforts linked to circular economy initiatives.

“I am deeply honored to assume the role of CEO and lead Dow into our next chapter,” Carter said. “Dow has extraordinary people, world-class assets and leading positions in the markets we serve. Our focus remains unwavering: delivering reliable and innovative solutions for our customers, and long-term value for our employees and our shareholders, while accelerating our transformation to set a new competitive standard for best-in-class performance. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Jim in his new role as Executive Chair, and to working with the Board and all of Team Dow to advance our strategy and deliver on our priorities.”

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Nokian Tyres plc is expanding its partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to strengthen IT operations and support ongoing transformation.

The companies will focus their expanded partnership on maintaining and developing IT applications to meet Nokian Tyres’ future needs and to increase the efficiency of its IT operations.

TCS has already handled Nokian Tyres’ service desk support, end-user services like device deliveries, and network and data centre operations. Starting June 1, 2026, TCS will also take over maintenance and development of IT applications, as well as on-site support for internal processes.

This change is part of a larger restructuring of Nokian Tyres’ IT organisation to keep up with changing business needs.

“A more extensive partnership with TCS will enable Nokian Tyres to have a globally unified, agile, and efficient operating model that supports business needs. In addition, it creates a sustainable foundation for the increasing adoption of next-generation technologies such as automation, data-driven solutions and artificial intelligence,” said Timmy McLellan, vice-president, IT and processes, and chief information officer at Nokian Tyres.

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JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has appointed Mandar V Deo as President – India, effective immediately.

Based in Delhi, Deo will report to the Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Raghupati Singhania, and the Managing Director, Anshuman Singhania. He joins the tyre manufacturer with more than two decades of experience in senior leadership positions, having previously served at Exide Energy Solutions, Cummins India and Cummins Inc.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Pune University, alongside a Master’s degree and a PhD from Pennsylvania State University. He also holds an MBA from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University.

Deo’s appointment comes as JK Tyre continues to expand its global footprint, which currently spans 105 countries and includes 11 manufacturing facilities in India and Mexico with an annual production capacity of 35 million tyres.

The company maintains a focus on technical innovation through its Raghupati Singhania Centre of Excellence in Mysore and was the first in India to introduce 'Smart Tyre' technology featuring integrated Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). Additionally, JK Tyre has committed to the global RE100 initiative, aiming to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2050.

Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre, said, “I am confident that Mr. Deo will provide strong and adept leadership and steer JK Tyre on a new growth trajectory.”

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The research and development team of any tyre maker decides whether the final product will be a success or a failure. And it is prudent to say that a lot of research hours and developmental cash go into making one of the most critical components of the automobile sector. In an exclusive tete-a-tete with Tyre Trends, Vice President and Global Head of Research and Development at Omni United, Olli Seppala, shares insights into the demanding and complex world of tyre research illuminating how markets and other factors dictate team operations.

“Omni United has an experienced team and we understand the needs of different markets very well. We constantly track trends in each region because legislation and approval requirements change all the time. In Europe, for instance, there are evolving regulations and strong influence from testing. In United States, the market is also changing very quickly as it is no longer only about mileage and comfort. Performance has become equally important,” he stated.

The company sells extensively in North America and Europe as well as in countries like South Africa, Australia and several markets across Asia.

However, every market doesn’t necessarily have similar demands, and the onus falls on the research and development team to derive market-ready products.

“Every market is equally demanding in different ways. Europe requires extremely high-performance levels, but customers are also willing to pay for that performance. In Asian markets, however, you still need a certain level of performance, but you must also keep prices under control. That creates additional pressure on the research and development side,” noted Seppala.

In the tyre industry, research and development quietly determines whether a product succeeds or disappears from the market. Behind every tyre lies years of testing, complex material science and constant adaptation to changing global demands. In an exclusive interaction with Tyre Trends, Vice President and Global Head of Research and Development at Omni United, Olli Seppala, explains how the company’s development teams navigate shifting regulations, regional market expectations and sustainability pressures while striving to deliver premium performance tyres at accessible prices across diverse international markets.

He added that European developers sometimes struggle when developing tyres for US or Asian markets because they may still carry the old perception that the US market is only about comfort and mileage.

Currently, the US market is now strongly performance-oriented. Tyre makers must understand specific requirements such as wet grip, correct handling balance, rubber compound characteristics and special durability properties like resistance to cuts and chips.

Asian markets are also highly complex. Conditions can vary dramatically by region. For example, southern China is very different from northern China, so specialised approaches are necessary.

The Japanese market is another example, said Seppala, as Japanese winter tyres are a category of their own and one really has to understand the specific expectations there. In addition, tyres must be durable and resistant to environmental factors such as ozone and pollutants.

WORKING THE WORKS

“When we talk about all-season tyres with the snowflake symbol, European all-season or North American all-weather tyres pose a significant challenge,” noted Seppala.

“Such tyres must balance strong wet grip, stable dry handling in high temperatures and reliable performance in snow and cold conditions. The main challenge is developing a rubber compound that remains flexible in freezing temperatures while maintaining handling stability at around 30 degrees Celsius,” he added.

On the other hand, working with different manufacturing partners also raises certain concerns, which the executive describes as ‘complex situation’. “The process is complex and involves several challenges. When developing a new product, we carry out the design work internally including building the construction and conducting in-house testing. Most of the development work is completed within the company before moving forward to the production stage. However, the advantages generally outweigh the challenges,” noted Seppala.

The company develops its own tyre compounds in-house and is now entering a deeper phase of rubber compounding through a new materials development initiative focused specifically on compounding.

“The goal is to deliver premium tyre performance at accessible prices. Key research and development priorities include improving wet grip, increasing mileage and reducing rolling resistance to balance the tyre industry’s ‘magic triangle’. Sustainability is also becoming essential with growing work on recycled and bio-based materials. Currently, development efforts are focused mainly on passenger car and 4x4 tyres, although we also produce truck and commercial tyres,” he added.

Nonetheless, he noted that shorter development timelines are an everyday challenge for research and developmental teams. While Omni United already has one of the shortest development cycles in the industry, efforts are ongoing to make the process even faster.

However, Seppala averred that the approach depends on the situation. Completely new concepts can be developed quickly, but when replacing a product at the end of its lifecycle, it is often better to allow more time for testing and gradual improvements. In such cases, the focus is not just speed but improving the overall efficiency of the development process.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVENT

Seppala noted that digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to play a very significant role in tyre research and development, particularly in construction design and compound development.

Machine learning can help improve compound recipes by analysing large datasets generated from continuous testing. Using non-linear analysis and specialised software, the company processes accumulated testing data to refine and optimise compound formulations over time.

Seppala also noted that tyre development today must address broader environmental challenges, including noise pollution. With electric vehicles becoming quieter, tyre noise is becoming more noticeable.

At the same time, regulations such as Euro 7 are increasing attention on particle emissions. He explained that noise is an important factor in tyre design. While the European tyre label mainly measures external pass-by noise, the company also focuses on reducing noise inside the cabin to improve driver and passenger comfort, alongside minimising environmental noise pollution.

Over the next three years, one of the main priorities of the company will be taking materials development to the next level, making it a major focus for the research and development team.

Another key area will be expanding the company’s testing operations. While he did not disclose detailed strategic plans, he noted that testing capabilities will increase significantly, covering outdoor track testing, indoor tyre testing and laboratory testing of materials. All three areas will play an important role in future development.

Alluding to the areas pertaining to tyre performance that the company plans to focus on in the future, he said, “Tyre performance involves many factors, making it difficult to rank them strictly, but improving safety will remain a key focus in the coming years. While current products already perform at a high level, we aim to further enhance safety performance.”

Seppala also highlighted ongoing work on replacing 6PPD, noting that progress has been promising. The goal is to become the best-performing tyre brand in ozone resistance, addressing ozone cracking issues seen in many manufacturers globally, while developing a solution that is both sustainable and effective.

Commenting on key trends that will influence the company’s future, Seppala said, “Three major trends will shape the company’s research and development work going forward. First, market expectations in Europe and US are gradually converging. The US market is placing greater emphasis on safety and wet grip, while Europe is increasingly focusing on abrasion resistance and tyre mileage, creating pressure to improve durability. Secondly, sustainability will remain a constant industry priority. Thirdly, the key challenge will be developing tyres with advanced materials that deliver premium performance while keeping prices accessible for customers.”

For Omni United, the future of tyre development lies in balancing performance, durability and affordability amid tightening regulations and sustainability demands. As markets converge and technologies like AI reshape research and development, the company’s challenge will be clear as it harnesses advanced materials and faster development cycles to deliver safer, longer-lasting tyres without compromising accessibility.

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