Kumho Tire has added another feather in its cap by winning the Red Dot Design Award 2021 in the ‘product design’ category for its ECSTA V730 tyre.

The ECSTA V720 ACR descendant was launched in the US market earlier this year and is notable for its state-of-the-art compound and robust asymmetric tread block design. Its competition heritage is markedly visible on the sidewall in the form of a dynamic graphic of a motor racing flag.

The Red Dot Design Award honours winners in the three categories of product design, brands and communication, and design concept. It is recognised as one of the world’s top three design awards.

Cho Man-sik, Senior Vice President, RE Product Development, Kumho Tire, said, “We were honoured with the world’s top four design awards last year, proving our technological prowess and design capabilities.”

“The receipt of the Red Dot Design Award 2021 is a good start for this year, and we will continue striving to develop products and technologies that fit our reputation as a technology leader,” he added. (TT)

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In a strategic expansion of its global footprint, Bekaert has agreed to acquire Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, encompassing the tyre cord production facilities in China (Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd) and Thailand (Bridgestone Metalpha (Thailand) Co. Ltd.). This move significantly strengthens the market leadership of Bekaert’s Rubber Reinforcement division, its largest business unit, which has led the global tyre cord sector for decades. The acquisition, set for completion in the first half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals, is a continuation of the division's proven strategy in integrating the captive production of major global accounts.

This transaction reinforces the enduring strategic partnership between Bekaert and Bridgestone, a leading tyre manufacturer. As part of Bridgestone's mid-to-long term plan to boost competitiveness through collaboration, the deal includes a long-term supply agreement ensuring continued provision of high-quality tyre reinforcement. For Bekaert, the integration of these two established production facilities enhances its manufacturing presence and solidifies its position in the tyre cord market.

Financially, the acquisition is projected to contribute approximately EUR 80 million in annual consolidated sales for Bekaert. The purchase involves a cash consideration of EUR 60 million, which will be drawn from the company's existing cash reserves. By securing these key assets and a lasting supply partnership, Bekaert not only expands its operational scale but also deepens its trusted supplier relationship with a pivotal global account.

Yves Kerstens, CEO, Bekaert, said, “Bekaert and Bridgestone share a longstanding strategic partnership built on mutual trust and collaboration. When the transaction closes, we are delighted to welcome the plant teams to Bekaert and remain committed to joint growth and innovation with Bridgestone. The acquisition is also a clear signal of strengthening our global leadership position in the tyre reinforcement industry.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has successfully secured a Certificate of Rubber Fender Test Environment from Japan’s Specialists Center of Port and Airport Engineering (SCOPE), awarded on 23 January 2026. This certification follows a thorough assessment under SCOPE’s Rubber Fender Testing Environment Certification Program, which validates that the company’s testing facilities for marine rubber fenders operate with integrity and reliability. Specifically, the certification confirms that Yokohama Rubber employs a robust system designed to prevent data fraud, ensuring the trustworthiness of all test results for fenders it manufactures and sells.

These fenders serve as critical safety components, acting as cushioning buffers to protect vessel hulls from impact during harbour mooring and ship-to-ship transfers at sea. To promote safer and more secure maritime operations, SCOPE launched its certification initiative in April 2023, focusing on verifying the reliability of fender testing environments. The programme is aligned with technical guidelines from the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) and evaluates compliance across multiple SCOPE-defined criteria. These include adherence to static compression testing standards, the elimination of opportunities for data falsification, the integrity of statistical values in test data and the establishment of corporate systems that prevent tampering.

Yokohama Rubber’s expertise in this field dates to 1958, when it pioneered the world’s first pneumatic fender for offshore vessel berthing. Recently, the company has broadened its portfolio beyond high-performance pneumatic fenders to include solid fenders, which represent a principal segment of the fender market. This strategic expansion establishes Yokohama Rubber as a comprehensive fender manufacturer and reinforces its revenue foundation.

The achievement aligns with the company’s ongoing medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026), which spans fiscal years 2024 to 2026. A key element of this strategy involves driving growth in the MB Segment by focusing resources on core domains such as hose and couplings along with industrial products. Within this framework, Yokohama Rubber aims to strengthen its product lineup and sustain strong market shares for marine products, including fenders, to secure steady profit growth in the industrial products business.

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In a strategic move to strengthen its connection with vital regional audiences, Bridgestone India has partnered with multifaceted Punjabi star Parmish Verma. This collaboration is designed to resonate deeply in North India, a crucial and rapidly expanding market fuelled by increasing vehicle ownership and a youthful demographic. Verma, a prominent cultural figure and known automobile enthusiast, aligns naturally with the brand’s emphasis on safety, reliability and performance. His authentic passion for vehicles and responsible driving complements Bridgestone’s identity as a leading mobility solutions provider.

Central to this alliance is the co-creation of engaging, music-led narratives and digital content for Bridgestone’s campaigns, leveraging Verma’s artistic talents and significant social influence. This approach recognises the powerful role of popular culture in shaping brand preferences within the region. The partnership also advances the company’s broader regional engagement goals, aiming to build deeper trust with consumers nationwide. Furthermore, it embodies the ‘Emotion’ principle of Bridgestone’s corporate commitment, which seeks to inspire excitement and deliver joy through mobility. By uniting with a figure of Verma’s reach and genuine interest, Bridgestone India fosters a more dynamic and culturally relevant dialogue with its audience.

Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director – Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone India, said, “North India is a strategically important market for us. Parmish Verma’s credibility and deep connection with audiences make him an ideal partner to represent Bridgestone. This collaboration enables us to engage meaningfully with young consumers who seek fresh, inspiring and relatable brand experiences.”

Verma said, “Bridgestone is a brand people trust for safety and performance. I’m proud to be associated with an organisation that values quality and puts customers first. I look forward to connecting with audiences in a new and meaningful way through this partnership.”

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Bridgestone Americas has appointed Michele Herlein as its new Chief People Officer. In this role, she will oversee all human resources operations across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Her primary focus will be advancing the company's Culture 2.0 initiative, which aims to enhance teammate empowerment, collaboration and accountability.

Herlein rejoins Bridgestone with over two decades of executive leadership expertise. Her background includes previous positions within Bridgestone Americas and Bandag, Inc., centred on culture, leadership development and succession planning. Most recently, she was the Founder and CEO of CultureMax and previously served as the Chief Administrative and Human Resource Officer at Barge Design Solutions. She is also a published authority on creating high-performance organisational cultures. Beyond her corporate work, Herlein is a co-founder of Impact100 Nashville, a philanthropic women’s collective that has awarded more than USD 1.2 million in grants to area nonprofits.

Scott Damon, Bridgestone West CEO and Group President of Bridgestone Americas, said, “I am excited to welcome her back to Bridgestone, recognising the perspective and presence she will add to our West leadership team, the HR function and the broader organisation.”

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