Sumitomo Rubber Europe GmbH has appointed Michael Haupt as Senior Manager Tyre Design/Automotive Original Equipment (OE) with effect from 1 April 2025. Haupt will lead the company’s OE division and take care of tyre development activities for its Falken and Dunlop brands.

Haupt has more than 30 years of expertise in the tyre and automotive industries. He began working for Ford Motor Company in 1994 as a research engineer before joining Porsche in 1996. He advanced to the role of team leader in tyre development throughout his tenure at Porsche, where he significantly contributed to the advancement of quality management procedures. Haupt worked for Nexen Tyre for five years in top positions, first as Vice President for OE development in Europe and then as top Vice President for worldwide OE and replacement tyre development, prior to joining Sumitomo Rubber Europe. His achievements there included creating high-end tyres specifically for German original equipment manufacturers, optimising manufacturing procedures and raising brand awareness through media and motorsport initiatives.

Dr Bernd Löwenhaupt, Managing Director, Sumitomo Rubber Europe, said, “Michael Haupt is an excellent fit for our team. His leadership qualities and extensive experience in tyre development and OE strategy make him a strong addition to our company as we continue to innovate and grow in the European market.”

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South Korean tyre company Hankook will present its latest innovations at The Tire Cologne, taking place from 9 to 11 June 2026.

Interestingly, in addition to showcasing its wide range of tyres and, for the first time, products from the company's battery division.

At The Tire Cologne 2026, Hankook will feature two new products for the passenger and truck tyres from the winter and performance segments.

It will exhibit the Laufenn brand for passenger car tyres, including the new Laufenn S Fit 2 summer tyre. Hankook will present two studies for the first time to the general public, following a limited unveiling in 2025.

The space will include show cars and a presence for the Hankook Alphatread retread brand at the Allianz Zukunft Reifen (AZuR) stand.

To better serve the European market and reduce delivery distances, Hankook is expanding its factory in Hungary. The company is adding a production line for truck and bus tyres, as announced in late 2023. Its total investment in the project will reach EUR 540 million by 2027. Once finished, the facility is expected to produce up to 800,000 units annually.

Furthermore, the stand will also feature award-winning designs from the ‘Design Innovation Project’, which includes a 3D-printed concept tyre made from recycled and renewable materials, featuring an organic tread design. WheelBot 2, a robotic platform equipped with spherical wheels that allow for multi-directional movement, is designed for the PathCruizer mobility pod.

Claus Gommel, Head of Sales Consumer Products, Hankook Reifen Deutschland, said, “Especially in an increasingly digital world, personal interaction remains crucial. The Tire Cologne provides an opportunity for members of the international tyre industry to come together. We look forward to meeting our customers and partners in person.”

Manfred Zoni, Head of Sales Truck and Bus at Hankook in Germany, added, “With targeted investment in production, products and service offerings, we are strengthening our commercial vehicle tyre business in Germany and Europe.”

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Nokian Tyres has announced the appointment of Ville Mansikkamäki as Senior Vice President for Heavy Tyres, effective by 1 October 2026. The executive, who holds an Executive MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Logistics, will also join the company’s management team. Based in Nokia, Finland, Mansikkamäki will report directly to President and CEO Paolo Pompei.

Mansikkamäki joins the Finnish tyre manufacturer from Ponsse Plc, a global producer of cut-to-length forest machines, where he served as Vice President for Europe. His background includes senior business leadership roles at CNH, Valtra and AGCO, bringing extensive experience in heavy equipment and logistics.

He succeeds Tron Gulbrandsen, who has been managing Nokian Heavy Tyres on an interim basis. Gulbrandsen will continue his regular duties as Senior Vice President for Passenger Car Tyres in the Nordics.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am pleased to welcome Ville Mansikkamäki to Nokian Tyres. His deep expertise in machinery industry and strong international leadership background will significantly support the continued development of our heavy tyres business. I would like to thank Tron for his leadership and valuable contribution to Nokian Heavy Tyres.

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Kumho Tire USA has appointed Carolina Wagner as its new Vice President of Marketing, a move aimed at reinforcing the company’s brand strength and competitive edge across the passenger, light truck and commercial vehicle segments in United States.

Wagner will take charge of all marketing operations for Kumho Tire USA, including brand strategy, product marketing, digital outreach, demand generation and sales support. Working alongside executive leadership and the sales team, she will focus on aligning marketing efforts with the firm’s ambitious growth objectives in the American market.

With over 25 years of executive experience at global tyre companies such as Continental Tires the Americas and Goodyear, Wagner has led growth and brand initiatives across the tyre, mobility, SaaS and material handling sectors. Her career began in Rio de Janeiro, advancing through leadership roles in Brazil and Latin America before moving to United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidade Santa Úrsula and an MBA from IBMEC Rio de Janeiro.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Carolina's arrival marks a pivotal moment for Kumho Tire. Her deep expertise in the tyre industry, combined with her proven ability to build integrated marketing strategies that deliver measurable results, makes her the ideal leader to drive our next chapter. We are confident that she will be a key force in taking Kumho Tire's brand positioning to the next level."

Wagner said, "I am incredibly excited to join Kumho Tire and work alongside the executive leadership team to continue elevating the brand in the US. The company has tremendous growth potential with high-quality new products on the roadmap that deliver on its performance without compromise mantra. I'm excited to execute integrated, data-driven strategies to increase brand awareness and ultimately fuel growth."

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Mahatma Gandhi University’s School of Polymer Science and Technology has announced the opening of admissions for its Executive M.Tech programme in Polymer Engineering and Nanotechnology for the 2026–27 academic year, targeting working professionals and industry-sponsored candidates seeking advanced technical specialisation.

The programme will be conducted at the Convergence Academia Complex, located on the second floor of the university campus at Priyadarshini Hills, P.O. Kottayam, Kerala. The university, which is graded as a Category 1 autonomous institution by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is positioning the course as an industry-aligned offering designed to bridge academic research and industrial application.

Admissions are currently open, with the last date for submitting applications set as 30 April  2026.

Designed For Industry Professionals

The Executive M.Tech programme is tailored specifically for working professionals, reflecting the growing demand for flexible, advanced education pathways within technical industries. Sponsored candidates from organisations, as well as direct applicants with relevant professional experience, are eligible to apply.

Candidates must hold either an M.Sc. or B.Tech degree in relevant science or engineering disciplines. While preference will be given to employed candidates, others may also be considered subject to seat availability.

The programme offers a total of 24 seats, including 20 allocated for Indian candidates and four reserved for international applicants, signalling the university’s intent to attract a diverse cohort.

Interdisciplinary Focus

The curriculum emphasises an interdisciplinary approach, combining Polymer Engineering, Nanotechnology and Materials Science. This structure reflects broader shifts within manufacturing and materials industries, where cross-domain expertise is increasingly critical.

Courses will be delivered by a mix of academic faculty and industry practitioners, ensuring exposure to both theoretical frameworks and real-world applications. The university highlights that this dual approach is aimed at equipping professionals with practical insights alongside advanced technical knowledge.

Programme Highlights

Among the key features of the course are its focus on industry relevance and its alignment with evolving technological demands. The programme is structured to support professionals in enhancing their capabilities without stepping away from their careers.

The university notes that the course is particularly suited to those looking to deepen expertise in polymer science and nanotechnology while remaining engaged in industrial roles.

Application Process

Applications for the programme must be submitted online via the official application form:
https://forms.gle/yfTeeevAVLzmuK8P9

Prospective candidates can access additional information through the School of Polymer Science and Technology’s website at spst.mgu.ac.in.

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