In July 2023, Saanya Subasinghe joined the business her father founded, taking on the role of Marketing Manager at GRI (Global Rubber Industries). The Sri Lanka-based tyre maker has now announced that Subasinghe will additionally take over the company’s media relations activities. In this capacity she succeeds Asela Gunawardena, who will now focus on his Sales Director remit.
Off-highway specialty tyre manufacturer GRI has appointed Cara Junkins and Jeff Cole as National Sales Managers for the United States. The company states that these strategic hires underscore its commitment to strengthening market position and delivering exceptional value to customers in the North American region.
With the addition of five further SKUs, GRI has reinforced its agriculture, construction and material handling product categories. The specialty off-highway tyre maker says the new SKUs are designed to meet industry standards in compliance with all international regulations, providing customers with advanced options for selecting optimal tyres for their machinery.
An expansion of the GRI product portfolio sees 11 new SKUs join its agricultural and construction tyre segments. The Sri Lanka-based specialty tyre manufacturer refers to these new additions as part of a “strategic move” that underscores “GRI’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers worldwide” as well as its “dedication to innovation and excellence in tyre manufacturing.”
GRI has appointed Ydo Doornbos as director of North America. The former Trelleborg Wheel Systems executive has 29 years’ tyre industry experience in various management roles. The Sri Lankan agricultural and speciality industrial tyre maker says Doornbos brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to GRI’s North American business operations.
GRI has added 23 SKUs to its tyre ranges for the agricultural and construction segments. The off-highway tyre specialist describes this enlargement of its portfolio as a “strategic move” that underscores its “commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers worldwide” as well as its “dedication to innovation and excellence in tyre manufacturing.”
Thanuja Samaranayake has joined GRI as the tyre maker’s chief operating officer, effective 1 March 2024. Introducing the new COO, GRI describes Samaranayake as an “accomplished global operations strategist and sustainability leader” who has a “proven track record of driving revenue growth, enhancing supply chain resilience, and achieving sustainability goals across diverse industries.”
Speciality and agricultural tyre manufacturer GRI has appointed Barry Guildford as its new global commercial director (GCD). The appointment bolsters the company’s increasingly international leadership team as the Sri Lanka based company proceeds with its global growth strategy. Guildford arrives with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in strategic leadership and sales management roles within the tyre industry over the last 23 years. He has held a variety of leadership positions within Continental, most recently as head of region Northeast Europe & head of sales ContiTrade. He joined GRI officially on 1 March. GRI has made significant strides in integrating sustainable materials in its flagship tyres in the last year, and demonstrated its leading sustainability position and expanding manufacturing base in Sri Lanka to Tyres & Accessories – see Tyrepress next week for more details.
GRI has been acknowledged among Sri Lanka’s top companies, securing an Honourable Mention at the Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka 2022 ceremony. Organized by AICPA & CIMA, ICCSL and Daily FT, this awards program recognizes organizations that not only thrive but also add significant value to shareholders, customers, employees, and the environment.
In addition to news of GRI CEO Dr Mahesha Ranasoma addressing the “Sustainability in Tires” conference in Qingdao, China, GRI is reinforcing its green credentials within the firm’s product line. One example is the Ultimate Green XT tyre, which, according to GRI, represents not just a tyre but a commitment to environmental responsibility.
GRI CEO, Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, was addressed delegates at the Smithers conference on “Sustainability in Tires” in Shanghai, China. Dr Ranasoma delivered a presentation entitled “The Green Revolution of the Tire Industry: A Deep Dive into ESG Integration,” drawing the attention of industry leaders in attendance. He highlighted GRI’s role in developing sustainable Specialty Tires and green practices, emphasizing the company’s commitment to advancing environmentally conscious solutions.
GRI has appointed Luca Pini as the company’s OEM lead in Europe. According to the company, Pini will play a pivotal role in driving GRI’s growth and expansion in the European Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) market.
GRI is increasing its use of Recycled Carbon Black (RCB) for compounding within its specialty tyre production in a bid to shift towards “sustainable practices, products, and eco-friendly solutions”.
GRI has debuted a non-marking cross-ply tyre for skid steer machines. The GRI XPT SS is a grey-coloured tyre with a three-step lug design that, according to the manufacturer, provides superior stability, strength, and traction.
Off-highway tyre specialist GRI has acquired Hungary-based tyre distributor ATRA Kecskemet, a company reported to hold a more than 50 per cent market share in the country’s material handling and construction tyre markets. The acquisition includes eight ATRA branches across Hungary and brings the firm’s 50-strong workforce into the GRI fold.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
GRI
GRi