Tire Cologne: Making a European exhibition of the tyre business

Running from 4-6 June, The Tire Cologne 2024 is rapidly approaching and, considering the last edition of the event was the first to take place in the post-Covid world, many in the wider European tyre business see the chance to meet together again now as more important as ever. With that in mind, we have devoted roughly a quarter to the May issue of Tyres & Accessories to previewing the products and services on offer at the event (see page 35 onwards).

As we go to press, the organisers have confirmed that “more than 370 exhibitors will present their innovations in 2024”. That figure represents an increase of “more than 85 per cent”. With the foreign share of exhibitors amounting to “nearly 70 per cent”, and with 60 per cent of visitors expected to be of the international variety, being based in Cologne doesn’t mean the event is German-centric. Similarly, the establishment of a Circular Economy Forum in Hall 7 illustrates the broad range of topics that will be discussed on the exhibition stands (see page 38, for more on that).

Well-known tyremakers investing in attending the exhibition include Pirelli, Continental, Hankook, BKT, Falken, Nexen, Kumho, Sailun and Linglong. Leading wheelmakers such as Superior, Borbet, Alcar and Ronal will also be in attendance. Then there are exhibitors from wholesalers and distributors such as Interpneu, Intersprint, Deldo, Gettygo and tyre24.com plus retreading-related businesses such as Vipal, TRM, B&J Rocket Sale. From the workshop side of things companies include Hunter, Würth, Hazet, Hamaton, and Haweka (see page 42 onwards for further examples).

However, exhibitors are only half the story. Businesses invest in stands primarily to reach visitors. To this end, The Tire Cologne reports that it addresses a large number of target groups of relevance for the industry, including manufacturers, service providers, wholesalers, tyre specialists, those in the online tyre business as well as fleet managers, independent workshops, and automotive dealerships. Of these, a total of around 89 per cent are said to be involved in the decision-making process.

As well as The Tire Cologne Koelnmesse stages other well-know trade shows including Intermot, and polisMobility, major international trade fairs in the mobility segment, hosted at its trade fair grounds in Cologne, Germany. Alongside tyres and wheels, for its part, Intermot focuses on motorised two-wheelers and presents the key innovations in electromobility, accessories, clothing, parts, customizing, touring and workshop equipment. On the other hand, polisMobility shows how urban mobility can and must be designed in the future.

But show coverage isn’t the only thing editorial within the May edition of Tyres & Accessories, this month’s magazine also features the Fleet tyre business. Such is the demand for cutting-edge tyre and sensor technology with the fleet sector, the fleet tyre business, “stands poised at the forefront of the industry, blending quality tyres, cutting-edge technology, and a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability”, we wrote in the preview of the section at the end of last month. And that’s why this issue delves into various aspects of this business, offering insights into the latest fleet tyre developments within the UK and across Europe. (You can find the latest tyre news from the fleet world from page 56 onwards).