The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, the apex body representing automotive tyre manufacturers in the country, has announced its new leadership structure.

The apex tyre body has elected Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF as the new Chairman of ATMA and Hiroshi Yoshizane, MD, Bridgestone India as the new Vice-Chairman of ATMA.

The appointment comes at a crucial juncture as ATMA celebrates 2025 as its Golden Jubilee year.

Mammen hold a graduate degree from the Madras Christian College and MBA from the Ashland University, US. He became the Managing Director of MRF in 2004 and Vice Chairman and Managing Director in 2017.

He believes that the Indian tyre industry should strive to be a major global manufacturer in the next decade and he will work on policy enablers to make the industry more competitive and technologically superior for meeting the needs of developed countries.

ATMA highlighted that given the global push towards carbon emission, there is a clear need to reduce carbon footprint in manufacturing and supply chain among others. The tyre industry on its part is already investing towards regenerative and recycled raw materials, along with using clean energy and reduction in water usage in manufacturing.

Furthermore, the INROAD Project as an industry initiative is expected to further add 200,000 hectares of new rubber plantation in the next two years.

“Over the next five years, focus needs to be given to upgradation of quality and training of the stakeholders,” added Mammen.

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Agricultural machinery specialist Emyr Evans marked four decades in business by restoring the first new tractor it ever sold. The Massey Ferguson 3065, originally purchased in late December 1995 for New Year delivery, has been beautifully brought back to life. It now rides on the latest MICHELIN AgriBib 2 tyres, supplied and fitted by Saracens, a trusted partner and part of the Michelin Quality Centre network. The tyres fitted are 340/85 R24 on the front and 420/85 R34 on the rear.

Emyr Evans founded the company with his wife Gwenda in 1986, starting with used tractors before becoming a Massey Ferguson dealer for Anglesey and Gwynedd in 1996 from their base in Gaerwen. By 2002, their territory had expanded to cover all of North Wales to the Cheshire border, prompting the opening of a second depot in Denbigh. Over the years, the business has grown by adding major franchises including JCB, Fendt, McHale, Pottinger and Bailey. Today, their sons Gwynedd and Berwyn manage the two depots.

The restored tractor is a significant piece of the company’s history, representing the last of Massey Ferguson’s 3000 series of versatile mid-range tractors. It was originally sold to a farmer in Anglesey and had worked there ever since. Despite its coastal location near the Irish Sea, it remained in working order but required dedicated care and attention.

The choice of modern Michelin tyres highlights the evolution in agricultural technology. The current AgriBib 2, with its improved tread pattern featuring 45-degree lugs, offers enhanced traction, durability and a higher load index to cope with the increasing weight of modern machinery. Comparing it to the Bib’X M18 from the 1990s illustrates this progress. For example, a 16.9 R34 Bib’X M18 carried a maximum load of 2,060 kg at 40 kmph, while the equivalent AgriBib 2 now carries 3,075 kg, an increase of over a tonne per tyre.

The restored Massey Ferguson 3065 is being showcased along with a collection of vintage tractors at the company’s 40th Anniversary Open Days (11 and 12 March) at their Denbigh depot on the Colomendy Industrial Estate.

Berwyn Evans, Director at the business, said, “The tractor was sold to a farmer in Anglesey and has been working there ever since. Due to the location by the Irish Sea, it needed some TLC but was still in working order. As the tractor is now 30 years old, it’s been a challenge tracking down replacement parts but a worthwhile one. When it came to fitting new tyres to this special tractor, the only choice was Michelin, which is king in the agricultural world.”

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Bridgestone Central Europe has announced leadership changes effective 1 March 2026, with Francesco Landolfo stepping into the role of Business Unit Director Commercial CER. He will oversee operations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Landolfo takes over from Christoph Frost, who guided the commercial division for eight years and was instrumental in embedding the company’s premium approach throughout the region. Frost transitions to a new capacity as Director of Retread Business for Bridgestone EMEA, where he will manage the Bandag retreading enterprise across Europe.

Christoph Frost, Director Retread Business Bridgestone EMEA.

Waqqas Ahmad, Vice President Commercial Europe, highlighted that these moves are vital for advancing the premium strategy in Central Europe and within the retread sector. He noted that both individuals possess the necessary expertise and forward-thinking mindset to deepen client connections and reinforce the brand’s upmarket standing

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Omni United has announced the appointment of Dr Mika Lahtinen as Associate Vice-President for Raw Materials and Compounding. The appointment is intended to internalise expert-led design and performance for the rubber compounds used in the company’s flagship brand, Radar Tires.

Dr Lahtinen joins the Singapore-headquartered firm with over 20 years of experience in tyre material innovation. He previously led material development at Nokian Tyres and managed global technology for tyre oils at Nynas, operating across Finland, Sweden and Singapore.

He holds a PhD in Polymer Materials Technology, and at Omni United, he will be involved in the development of materials and compounds, as well as collaboration with global suppliers to advance the company's tyre technology.

The move is designed to provide the manufacturer with direct control over the chemical engineering of its products. Omni United, founded in 2003, markets a range of consumer and commercial tyres under brands including Radar Tires, Patriot Tires and RoadLux.

Omni United sells products in more than 50 countries. Its primary brand, Radar Tires, has been manufactured as a carbon-neutral product since 2013. The integration of in-house compounding expertise is expected to support the company's commitment to innovation and logistics solutions within the global automotive sector.

In an statement the company stated, ‘Bringing Mika’s expertise in-house is a strong addition to our team. It allows us to take a more direct, expert-led approach to the design and performance of Radar Tires’ rubber compounds. With over 20 years in tyre material innovation, Mika has an extensive background in developing breakthrough materials, developing cutting-edge compounds, and collaborating with global suppliers to advance tyre technology.’

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Continental has further strengthened its foothold in the electric mobility sector, with its original equipment tyres now featured on the 10 highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for 2025. This achievement highlights the tyremaker’s strategic commitment to the expanding e-mobility market. Worldwide, the Hannover-based company supplies tyres to 17 of the 20 largest electric vehicle producers, including a mix of premium and volume brands such as BYD, Volkswagen, Stellantis, BMW, NIO, Hyundai and Renault. In the Americas, Continental currently equips eight of the top 10 manufacturers, while in the Asia Pacific region – the most dynamic market – it supplies seven of the top 10. The Chinese market remains especially fluid, with new high-volume players emerging in the rankings over the past year.

Electric vehicles impose distinct demands on tyres. Their heavier weight, due to large batteries, and the instant torque delivered during acceleration contribute to increased tyre wear. Moreover, because these vehicles operate more quietly than traditional combustion-engine cars, tyre rolling noise becomes more perceptible. Continental anticipated these challenges early, focusing on developing tyres with low rolling resistance, reduced noise and long mileage, regardless of the powertrain. The company introduced its first energy-efficient tyre line in 1993 with the ContiEcoContact, and the latest iteration, the EcoContact 7, is now available.

This new model incorporates aerodynamic enhancements, including a golf ball-inspired ‘aerodimple’ structure on the sidewalls, which minimises air turbulence and improves energy efficiency. Such features make it well-suited for both electric and conventional vehicles. Global electric vehicle sales continue to rise, with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research projecting a 23 percent increase in battery-electric vehicle sales for 2025, reaching 12.7 million units. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, remains the dominant market with double-digit growth, while Europe follows as the second largest. North America saw registrations hold steady at 1.4 million vehicles.

Dennis Bellmund, responsible for the global original equipment business at Continental Tires, said, “The EMEA region confirms the success of our strategy. We began designing our passenger tyres for low rolling resistance, quiet rolling noise and high load capacity very early on. These properties are especially important for electric vehicles.”

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