![Yokohama makes management changes](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/820_earth_globe-scaled-e1602237485165.jpg)
Yokohama makes management changes
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd has made a series of adjustments in the roles and responsibilities of its officers and executives – all effective 1 October 2020.
Continue Reading![Apollo Tyres creates Chief Digital Officer role](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hizmy-Hassen.png)
Apollo Tyres creates Chief Digital Officer role
Apollo Tyres has appointed Hizmy Hassen to the newly-created position of Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Hassen will be based at the company’s London office, and will be responsible for leading the strategy and operations of Apollo Tyres’ digital journey, including responsibility for Information Technology. Hizmy Hassen will report to Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone honoured in STOXX Global ESG Leaders Index again](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2019100901_01.jpg)
Bridgestone honoured in STOXX Global ESG Leaders Index again
Bridgestone Corporation has been included in the STOXX Global ESG Leaders Index, a stock investment index focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The news, announced on 24 September, marks the second consecutive year that Bridgestone has been listed in the index.
Continue Reading![Palatine Private Equity takes majority stake in NRG Fleet Services](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/thumbnail_NRG-is-a-leading-commercial-fleet-services-company.jpg)
Palatine Private Equity takes majority stake in NRG Fleet Services
Private equity firm Palatine Private Equity has completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in NRG Fleet Services Ltd, a fast-growing provider of specialist services to the commercial vehicle sector. Headquartered in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and operating 10 national technical centres, NRG has annual revenues of £90m and employs 280 people. It comprises two divisions, Riverside Truck Rental and Direct Tyre Management.
Continue Reading![Kirkby supports continuity of industry with strong specialist tyre and wheel line-up](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kirkby-Site-Image-scaled.jpg)
Kirkby supports continuity of industry with strong specialist tyre and wheel line-up
While the challenges of the pandemic to the light vehicle markets are familiar due to the day-to-day experiences of people around Europe, commercial, industrial and agricultural markets experienced different levels of lockdown, as many companies in these sectors worked hard to reinforce supply chains. In the tyre wholesale sector, this meant distributors of products and services to these segments needed to stay strong to supply the rubber that kept countries rolling. Michael Rosenthal, marketing director of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive distributor of off-highway tyre and wheel solutions, Kirkby Tyres, told Tyres & Accessories about the latest news from the Speke-based wholesaler.
Continue Reading![2020 vision impossible in an unpredictable year](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/glasses-1246611_1920.jpg)
2020 vision impossible in an unpredictable year
It is somewhat ironic that the number 2020 has inherent associations with perfect vision and yet this year has turned out to be the most unpredictable in a lifetime. For example, no-one saw President Trump’s twitter-borne sideswipe at Goodyear’s tyres coming last month – how could they? However, on a more serious note, the effects of uncertainty has real-life impact. And this month has seen more than its fair share of such harsh realities in the tyre industry. This article appears in full in the October edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
Continue Reading![Tirescanner sales up 150% year-to-date](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/TireScanner.png)
Tirescanner sales up 150% year-to-date
The last time Tyres & Accessories interviewed online tyre entrepreneur, Mike Welch, his latest venture Tirescanner was making in-roads in the US tyre retail market. Such was the concept’s growth that Welch had been pitching the business to investors in a bid to move onto phase two of Tirescanner’s development. Roughly a year later, T&A asked how things are progressing:
Continue Reading![Nokian shifts North American tyre business to Anna Hyvönen](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NT_Anna_Hyvonen-e1601624948210.jpg)
Nokian shifts North American tyre business to Anna Hyvönen
Effective immediately, Anna Hyvönen, SVP Nordics and Vianor and member of Nokian Tyres Management Team, has been appointed SVP North America, Nordics and Vianor. The shift was precipitated by the departure of Mark Earl, who had been Nokian Tyres SVP Americas, who has decided to leave the company to “pursue other career opportunities”. Tommi Heinonen, Head of Sales, North America, will start reporting to Anna Hyvönen.
Continue Reading![How the increasingly online tyre business reacted before, during and after lockdown](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ecommerce-3546296_1920.jpg)
How the increasingly online tyre business reacted before, during and after lockdown
On 3 September Amazon said it will create an extra 7,000 UK jobs this year to meet growing demand. Prior to this, the online retail giant had already added 3,000 roles in 2020. So, by the end of the year, it will have created a total of 10,000 new jobs. At the same time, the company has increased its involvement with the tyre market. While online tyre retail is about far more than Amazon, the news reflects increased demand both for online ordering in general and for online tyre sales in particular. But it is not just Amazon that has noticed this trend. Speaking during a webinar in June, GfK analysts highlighted how online tyre buying is increasing as a function of lockdown and the increased take-up of online shopping in general. Their thesis? More tyres will be sold online and the budget tyre sector will be the beneficiary. This article, including three charts support the analysis, appears in full in the October edition of Tyres & Accessories. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
Continue Reading![Continental supervisory board confirms Aachen tyre factory closure](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/newspic__aachen_173582070.jpg)
Continental supervisory board confirms Aachen tyre factory closure
The supervisory board of Continental AG has approved the executive board’s decision to discontinue production at the manufacturer’s plant in Aachen, Germany by the end of 2021. The supervisory board confirmed the executive boards decision during a board meeting today (30 September 2020). The closure decision will affect around 1,800 out of the about 2,000 jobs located at the Aachen site.
Continue Reading![Pyrolyx withdraws from Australian and German stock markets](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Recycled-Carbon-Black.jpg)
Pyrolyx withdraws from Australian and German stock markets
Reclaimed Carbon Black (rCB) firm Pyrolyx, which signed a five-year supply deal with continental in November 2019, has withdrawn from both the Australian and German stock markets.
Continue Reading![BKT Network launched to offer partners, users video content](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Visual-BKT-Network.jpg)
BKT Network launched to offer partners, users video content
BKT has launched the BKT Network, a digital TV format hosting new and exclusive videos about the off-road tyre specialist, its products, and its partnerships. BKT said content will include first-hand accounts from users around the globe, behind-the-scenes looks at sports sponsorships, exhibitions, CSR activities. and more. “The initiative also comes about as a direct link with users, with partners and distributors, with the whole range of audiences,” says Arvind Poddar, BKT chairman, in the network’s launch episode. “The need to reduce the distances dictated by the current situation has never been so relevant. We want to remain in contact with everyone.”
Continue Reading![BKT becomes premium partner of Euroleague Basketball](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BKT_EuroLeagueBasketball_Logo-scaled.jpg)
BKT becomes premium partner of Euroleague Basketball
Off-road tyre specialist BKT has signed a new sports sponsorship deal. The Indian group will be a Premium Partner of EuroLeague Basketball, organiser of the two most prestigious European basketball club competitions, over the next three years until the 2022/23 season. The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup bring together 42 teams, representing 14 countries. BKT branding will be present at the first round of 2020/21 season games on 1-2 October. It will be displayed on LED systems, Jumbotrons and on-site initiatives. BKT will also gain television exposure via graphics and headers and pre- and post-game interview backdrops. BKT will also appear on EuroLeague and EuroCup digital and social media.
Continue Reading![Global social media ranking 2020: New winner as Pirelli falls two places to third](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/mobile-phone-1917737_1920.jpg)
Global social media ranking 2020: New winner as Pirelli falls two places to third
As Tyres & Accessories annual global social media ranking enters its seventh edition, this year there is a new winner. Last year’s champion, Pirelli, has fallen two places to third position. At the same time, in a reflection of what has taken place in the UK-only ranking, the top 10 has a new entry, with previously 10th-ranked MRF being overtaken by another large Indian tyremaker.
Continue Reading![Pirelli commences final season as Inter Milan shirt sponsor](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/CF87BA1W0AAGrSo.jpg)
Pirelli commences final season as Inter Milan shirt sponsor
One of the longest running top-tier football shirt sponsorships will come to an end in 2021. Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera confirmed reports published earlier in 2021 in Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport that Inter Milan’s shirt will not display the Pirelli logo for the first time since the 1995/96 season. However, he told Italian radio station GR Parlamento that “Inter and Pirelli will continue in some way” in the wake of the team’s season opening 4-3 victory over Fiorentina.
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