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.”
Reflecting on the year that was 2022, GRI’s Dr Mahesha Ranasoma comments that the company “made significant strides in building its GreenLeadership credentials” during the year. The chief executive officer adds that the off-highway tyre specialist “weathered the storms and the impact of the global economic downturn” during 2022, continuing to “remain resilient throughout the year.”
Last Friday was an important day for GRI in regards to its environmental engagements – the Sri Lankan tyre maker launched its ‘Greening Our Planet’ project by planting 450 rubber trees at smallholder rubber farms in Moneragala District.
Global demand for natural rubber is outpacing supply, so stakeholders in the global tyre industry need to ensure sustainability is a guiding ethos in its operations, GRI states. The Sri Lankan manufacturer says sustainability in sourcing, production and disposal are key to its goals.
Agility and rapid responsiveness are important for GRI, and the company believes these qualities set it apart within the specialty tyre manufacturing industry. It shares that the firm has “been ahead of other companies in the industry” facing the current COVID-19 situation thanks to the very proactive and far-sighted actions of its senior management.
GRI has introduced a new tyre for heavy-duty loader applications, the Gripex LT122. The Sri Lankan tyre maker says the LT22 features a sturdy and robust nylon casing that provides extraordinary impact and shock resistance for extended tyre life. It adds that the tyre’s tread compound ensures resistance against wear and cuts, whilst the tread design enables higher traction for better productivity.
Sri Lanka’s Global Rubber Industries (GRI Tires) has acquired Australian tyre supplier Tradefaire International’s industrial tyre business, Axis Tyres Pty Ltd. The acquisition includes Axis locations in Melbourne (Altona and Braeside), Sydney and Adelaide. Together with GRI’s existing branch in Brisbane, the company now operates five sites in Australia.
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