A proposed bill in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has ignited fierce opposition from the country’s tyre retreading sector, which sees the legislation as an ill-conceived and uninformed attack on an industry that plays a crucial role in the economy and sustainability efforts. The bill seeks to ban the use of retread tyres on buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways, a move that the industry argues is both impractical and detrimental.

Brazil is the world’s second-largest retread market, following only the United States. This achievement has been attributed to the reliability and quality of work carried out by retreaders, which has earned the market’s trust.

In September 2024, a draft bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to exercise a ban on the use of retread tyres in buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways. The Brazilian Association of Tyre Retreading (ABR) lashed out at the proposed draft, labelling it as ‘misguided and uninformed’.

Subsequently, ABR President and Federal Senator of Mato Grosso, Margareth Buzetti, told Tyre Trends, “The proposed bill focuses on retread tyres rather than broader factors such as overloading, poor road conditions or inadequate maintenance practices due to sheer misinformation on the part of the person who proposed the project. It is a simplistic and populist proposal that promises to increase road safety by fighting the wrong enemy. Tyres retreaded in Brazil undergo extremely rigorous inspections to ensure that they reach the transport companies safely and reliably.”

“We, as retreaders, meet Inmetro standards that define the technical requirements for tyre retreading, following the standards of excellence practiced in other countries. We are talking about large companies that have strict quality standards. We are in no way inferior to new tyres in terms of safety,” she added.

According to Buzetti, no reputable company would compromise on tyre safety as doing so could lead to financial losses from accidents and endanger lives. She also pointed out that the sector’s ability to generate approximately 300,000 direct and indirect jobs is a testament to the high quality of retreaded products.

Commenting on how the proposed bill might influence public perception about the sustainable practice, she noted, “The way it was proposed is terrible because it gives people the impression that retread tyres in Brazil are of poor quality and are responsible for road accidents. This is absurd misinformation. However, I do not see this issue as something that concerns the general population. Transport companies, which are the largest users of retread tyres, are aware of the reality.”

“Entities linked to both the reform and transportation sectors sent dozens of letters to the Chamber of Deputies against the proposed bill. We will continue this pressure in 2025,” she added.

The association plans to seek out the rapporteur and the author of the bill so that they understand the seriousness of the work carried out by the sector. “The right thing to do would be for the congressman to withdraw the bill he presented and file another one that focuses on combating illegally-made reforms or the poor-quality tyres that are imported from Asia without any control whatsoever. Then they will have our support. Otherwise, we will seek out partner congressmen to wage a real battle within the Chamber against the advancement of this absurd proposal,” contended Buzetti.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL

Buzetti noted that if the proposed bill was implemented, then the implications would be ‘catastrophic’. “If the bill were to become law, the long-term impact on Brazil’s tyre industry would be devastating. Companies are already struggling with the rising cost of raw materials due to increase in the Dollar-Brazilian Real exchange rates. Banning tyre retreading would further cripple the sector, leading to significant financial and operational challenges,” she said.

Currently, tyre retreading saves Brazil BRL 7 billion in transportation costs. If the proposed bill becomes law, which the ABR believes is unlikely and will actively oppose, it would effectively force transportation companies to buy only new tyres overnight, causing a massive rise in costs.

Alluding to the potential impact of this legislation on Brazil’s carbon neutrality and sustainability goals, Buzetti emphasised, “The sector was recently recognised by the Ministry of the Environment as an important asset in the circular economy. This was a milestone that we achieved at great cost, and the government is finally beginning to see our importance for environmental sustainability. I believe that 2025 will be the year in which we will be able to make even more progress on this issue. We cannot ignore the importance for the environment of a sector that retreads 14 million tyres per year.”

While the association can furnish data demonstrating the safety and reliability of Inmerto-certified retread tyres to battle the proposed bill, Buzetti, attacking the project makers, said, “Can the deputy who created the project present data that guarantees that the lack of safety on the roads is caused by retread tyres?”

Commenting on the bill’s impact on small and micro enterprises if implemented, Buzetti said, “Tyre retreading supports 300,000 jobs in Brazil today. It is a well-established market. Banning retreading would be like taking food off the table for thousands of Brazilians who rely on this sector.”

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

According to Buzetti, the legislative year ended with this bill being presented to the Chamber of Deputies’ Transport and Roads Committee and it did not receive any amendments within the statutory deadline. Now, in February, discussions on the proposal can begin and she highly doubts that it will move forward. As a senator, she will not participate in the votes in the Chamber but will personally go to the committee to talk to all the deputies to demonstrate the quality of tyre retreading in Brazil.

Speaking on the steps that the government should take to address any lingering safety concerns and prevent future proposals like this, in case the bill was withdrawn, Buzetti said, “Inspection of poor-quality tyres entering the country and incentives for tyre retreaders to continue operating within the law is a necessary step. I presented a bill that is currently pending in the Chamber of Deputies that provides tax exemption for tyre retreading companies, as a way of attracting them to formality.”

She also noted, “Instead of banning retread tyres, we could have greater oversight of imported tyres that enter Brazil illegally. We are talking about tyres that are so bad that they don’t even need to be refurbished. These should be a priority for parliamentarians. And, of course, improving road conditions and oversight of the rules that must be followed by transport companies (such as not exceeding the maximum load) are also important steps to increase road safety.”

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced the promotion of four veteran sales management team members to director-level positions, effective 1 March 2026. Ken Cole, Shawn Blythe, Bill Carroll and Steven Shearer each assume expanded responsibilities across distinct areas: Cole steps into commercial accounts sales, Blythe takes on strategic accounts distribution, Carroll now oversees national retail channel, car channel and motorsports tyres and Shearer moves into sales operations and training. These leadership changes underscore the company’s dedication to cultivating internal talent and adapting to an evolving tire industry landscape.

Ken Cole, who joined Toyo in 2017 as Senior Manager for Truck Sales in the eastern region, brings over 25 years of industry experience to his new post as Director of Sales for Commercial Accounts. He succeeds Bill Barfield, who retired at the end of 2025. Shawn Blythe, a more than five-year Toyo veteran previously serving as Senior Manager for Strategic National Accounts Distribution, continues in a similar vein as Director of Strategic Accounts Distribution, focusing on driving success alongside company partners.

Bill Carroll’s new role as Director of National Retail Channel, Car Channel and Motorsports Tyres follows a tenure marked by progressive leadership, including positions as District Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager and Senior Manager for Strategic Retail Accounts. Meanwhile, Steven Shearer, a Toyo team member since 2012 who most recently served as Senior Manager of Marketing Communications, transitions to Director of Sales Operations and Training. In this capacity, he replaces Anne Holland, who is set to retire at the end of March.

Mike Snyder, Vice President – Sales, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., said, “Ken, Shawn, Bill and Steve have shown strong leadership as senior managers of their respective teams and have been integral in the success of Toyo over the years. Their promotions are well deserved and have enabled Toyo to solidify the mid-level management team that carries the organisation into the future. I’m confident that their leadership will ensure the company’s continued growth over the coming years.”

Cole said, “I am honoured for the opportunity and look forward to helping lead Toyo’s continued growth in the commercial tire business. We have a great sales team, and we will continue to focus on delivering high-quality commercial tyres through the best servicing dealers in the industry.”

Blythe said, “Toyo’s success has been built on strong partnerships with our customers, our dealers and our talented team at Toyo. I look forward to continuing to grow those relationships and deliver results and the reliability that our customers trust every day.”

Carroll said, “I will continue to bring my passion forward in my new director role and expand Toyo’s presence in the market. Toyo makes a fantastic product, and I am passionate about supporting our dealers, consumers and commercial needs.”

Shearer said, “My goal is to continue advancing sales programmes, tools and communications that improve the ease of doing business and drive success for both Toyo Tires and our customers. I am committed to supporting our dealers, and their success is central to everything we do.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured the second position among BW Businessworld India’s Top 5 Most Sustainable Companies in the Automotive Components sector, marking a significant recognition of the company’s dedication to responsible and future-oriented business operations. The ranking underscores the organisation’s consistent efforts to embed sustainability into its corporate framework, highlighting its progress in aligning industrial performance with long-term environmental and social accountability.

In addition to this sector-specific accolade, Apollo Tyres has been named among BW India’s Top 60 Most Sustainable Companies for the 2024–25 edition, a distinction drawn from a broader evaluation of the country’s top 200 corporations. Further cementing this achievement, the company has also been featured within the Top 30 most sustainable organisations among that select cohort. The assessment involved a comprehensive review across a wide range of Environmental, Social and Governance parameters, providing a holistic evaluation of Apollo Tyres’ sustainability initiatives and their measurable long-term impact.

The BW Sustainability World platform continues to serve as a key forum for industry leaders, fostering the exchange of insights, inspiration and actionable strategies aimed at accelerating sustainable transformation across sectors. Apollo Tyres remains steadfast in its commitment to driving meaningful change and contributing to a more sustainable future, building on these recognitions as benchmarks of its ongoing journey.

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Zeon Corporation has announced changes to its leadership structure, following a resolution passed at a board of directors meeting held on 30 March 2026.

The company confirmed the transfer of a representative director and changes to its board of directors, set to take effect on 26 June 2026. Kimiaki Tanaka, currently Representative Director & Chairman, will retire from his role and step down from the board. Following his retirement, he is expected to assume the position of Senior Advisor to the company.

In a separate change to the board, Outside Director Tadanobu Nagumo will retire on the same date. To fill the vacancy, Zeon has nominated Toshiya Imai as a candidate for a new outside director. Imai currently serves as Director & Chairman of Ridgelinez Limited.

The company stated that the changes are being made to refresh its management structure.

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Titan International has elevated Kendra Mann to the role of Director of Aftermarket Sales for the Titan and Goodyear agricultural tyre lines. In this capacity, she becomes a key member of Paul Hawkins’ North American aftermarket leadership team, where she will oversee strategic direction and operational execution within the aftermarket channel. This appointment underscores Titan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its agricultural aftermarket presence as the company continues to focus on growth and dealer alignment across North America.

With over two decades in the tyre industry, Mann brings extensive expertise to her new position, including the last eight years spent at Titan. Her previous roles there ranged from OEM Account Manager to Field Sales Manager overseeing a multi-state territory, where she drove aftermarket expansion. Prior to joining Titan, she spent 15 years at GCR Tires and Service managing commercial tyre operations. In her latest capacity, she will work closely with field sales, product management and dealer networks to ensure seamless coordination across the Titan and Goodyear agricultural portfolios.

Looking ahead, customers can expect a sharper focus on aligning field support with sales and marketing strategies, reinforcing the dealer partnerships that form the backbone of daily service. Through this leadership change, Titan aims to enhance responsiveness and deliver a more cohesive experience across the agricultural aftermarket channel.

Paul Hawkins, SVP of Aftermarket Sales, said, “Kendra has earned this. She understands the business, she understands the customer and she knows how to move the needle for our aftermarket business. This is the right person in the right role at the right time for Titan agriculture.”

Scott Sloan, Global Ag/LSW Product Manager, said, "Kendra has built valuable relationships in the field. She knows how dealers operate and what customers need on the ground. That perspective is going to make a real difference in how we execute across the ag aftermarket."

Kim Boccardi, VP of Marketing, said, "Kendra is the kind of person who makes everyone around her better. She's put in the work, she knows the industry, and watching her step into this role is exactly what you hope to see. Titan is better with her joining our leadership team."

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