TechnoMarketing Group, led by Ralph Dubbeldam, has quietly become a trailblazer in the mobile tyre service sector. From humble beginnings in manual truck tyre changing to pioneering compact, efficient mobile workshops, Dubbeldam’s vision has reshaped tyre service models globally. With the advent of mobile servicing solutions tailored to modern vehicle needs, TechnoMarketing’s products have empowered companies like Rivian and Mercedes-Benz to meet customer demands on the go. Yet, Dubbeldam’s journey isn’t just about innovation – it’s about adapting to the complexities of global markets, space constraints and evolving automotive trends, positioning the company at the forefront of the industry’s transformation.

In an unassuming Dutch town near the port of Antwerp, a quiet revolution in tyre service is underway. Roosendaal may not be the first place one associates with automotive innovation, but it’s the operational base of a company shaping how tyres are serviced globally. Ralph Dubbeldam, the founder and owner of TechnoMarketing Group, has spent the past two decades not just selling tools but reimagining the future of mobile vehicle servicing.

“I always tell people we develop, build, create and trade,” says Dubbeldam. “It’s still the best summary of what I do.”

Today, TechnoMarketing Group supplies purpose-built mobile tyre service equipment to everyone from start-ups in Seoul to automotive giants like Mercedes-Benz and Rivian. But the journey began with a chance encounter at Europe’s largest truck show and a pair of American-made tyre tools.  

Dubbeldam’s entrepreneurial journey began over two decades ago, when a neighbour invited him to the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover. Wandering the exhibition, he struck up a conversation with American manufacturers of tools for changing tubeless truck tyres. That serendipitous moment set him on a new path.

“I became their European partner, which I still am today,” he recalled. “That meant in the early years I was mainly changing truck tyres myself manually,” he added.

The hands-on experience wasn’t glamorous, but it grounded Dubbeldam in the practical needs of tyre service professionals. It also gave him a deep understanding of the mechanical challenges that define the industry. He soon began developing and distributing ergonomic wheel handling tools, jacks and battery service equipment, laying the foundation for TechnoMarketing Group.

In 2002, he launched the in-house Winntec brand. Two years later, he became the official distributor for CTEK, the Swedish smart battery charging company. Since then, he’s sold over one million battery chargers, anchoring the company’s reputation for innovation and reliability.

THE MOBILE SHIFT

While wheel lifts and chargers kept the company growing, Dubbeldam had his sights on a much larger transformation – mobile tyre service.

He noticed cultural shifts around car ownership, particularly among younger generations. A pivotal moment came in 2016 at the Automechanika show in Frankfurt, when a major German online tyre reseller approached him with a challenge, which was to create compact, climate-proof mobile service vans that operators could work inside year-round.

“Winter in Munich isn’t kind to tyre installers. The equipment they needed didn’t exist, so I sat down with my engineers and we built it ourselves,” he noted.

The result was ecube, a battery-driven, lightweight, emission-free power unit designed specifically for mobile service vans. That pilot project marked the start of TechnoMarketing Group’s mobile era and the brand’s global acceleration.

The company’s equipment is now used in mobile fleets across South Korea, Japan, Germany, the United States and the Middle East. Its reach expanded rapidly following a deal with Rivian in 2021, when the electric vehicle manufacturer began equipping its mobile service vans with TechnoMarketing Group’s technology.

“Rivian didn’t have a dealership network. So mobile service was their only option. They now have over 350 vehicles on the road using our equipment,” Dubbeldam explains.

Another turning point came in 2023 when Mercedes-Benz, after years of internal resistance, committed to rolling out a global fleet of mobile service vans. Its initial focus is on light services like inspections and battery maintenance but tyre service is next.

“It’s a strong signal that if a brand like Mercedes goes mobile, the rest of the market will follow,” Dubbeldam explains.

TechnoMarketing Group is also working with Pirelli Driver, Euromaster and Vergölst, a Continental-owned tyre service provider, in Germany. In Japan, it has partnered with Nitta Tire, and in the US, it sells thousands of air bottle jacks to fleets service providers through its distribution partner Gaither Tool in Illinois.

ENGINEERING FOR THE REAL WORLD

Mobile tyre service isn’t just about putting workshop equipment in the back of a van. It requires purpose-built solutions that can withstand extreme conditions, whether it’s subzero winters in Seoul or 90 percent humidity in Singapore.

“Traditional balancers weren’t designed to sit in a van baking at 40 degrees Celsius or rattling over cobblestones. “Metal shafts expand and contract. Rust is inevitable. Accuracy degrades,” Dubbeldam points out.

In Singapore, one TechnoMarketing customer services luxury sedans in underground parking lots. In Dubai, operators work night shifts to avoid the heat. And in North America, trailers are often used to reduce costs.

“These are not ideal conditions. You have to respect the local context. That’s what drives our design philosophy,” he said.

THE WEIGHT PROBLEM

One of the biggest constraints in designing mobile service vans is weight. In Europe, commercial vehicles are limited to 3,500 kilogrammes. A fully equipped van with a driver and tools leaves just 800–1,000 kilogrammes for equipment, barely enough for traditional changers and balancers.

Electric vans add another layer of complexity. For instance, the electric Renault Master offers 600 kg less payload than its internal combustion version due to the heavy battery pack.

“That’s why we focus so much on lightweight, compact systems. You don’t have the luxury of space or surplus weight,” says Dubbeldam.

The company’s integrated mobile solution featuring a tyre changer, balancer, compressor and battery box occupies just 1.1 square metres and weighs only 450 kilogrammes.

MARKET GROWTH

According to industry estimates cited by Dubbeldam, the global mobile tyre installation market reached USD 500 million in 2024 and is expected to exceed USD 1.3 billion by 2032, growing at a 10 percent annual rate.

And that’s just tyres. Broader mobile car servicing, from battery replacement to diagnostics, is expected to grow even faster as automakers seek leaner service networks and consumers demand convenience.

“Tesla was the first to really embrace it. But now you see Lucid, Rivian, even newcomers like NIO following the same model,” said Dubbeldam.

Dubbeldam’s success is as much about cultural awareness as it is about engineering. His customers span the globe and he’s quick to note that no two markets behave the same.

“In the UK, I sell thousands of air bottle jacks. In Germany, zero,” he says with a grin. “Why? It’s culture. And you have to respect that.”

He also thrives on the variety. “What drives me are those cultural differences, the diversity of requests. It keeps me curious,” he quips.

Dubbeldam shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to push TechnoMarketing Group into new markets in Asia and Africa and is investing in new emission-free power systems to replace noisy, gasoline-powered generators in mobile fleets.

“The internal combustion generator burns five litres of gasoline an hour. We’ve designed battery-driven alternatives that are clean, quiet and efficient,” he said.

He also sees untapped potential in mobile diagnostics, charging and electric vehicle maintenance. As carmakers move away from dealerships, the demand for mobile solutions will only grow.

“Car maintenance is going to change whether we like it or not. Mobile isn’t a trend anymore. It’s a necessity,” he said.

Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.

Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.

Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."

German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.

The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.

“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.

“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”

The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.

Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”

The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.

ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.

Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.

In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.

Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.

Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”

“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.

In a significant leadership update, LD Carbon (LDC) has announced a restructuring of the chief executive office at the company. The company confirmed that Seong-Moon Baek will now serve as the sole CEO. This move follows the departure of former co-CEO Yong-Kyung Hwang from the executive position.

The change is effective immediately as the company continues to advance its initiatives in the sustainable materials sector. Chief Commercial Officer Bumseek Kim (BK) formally communicated the development in a statement, saying, “Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.”