Pirelli has been selected from a shortlist that also included Apollo Tyres, Goodyear and Hankook to be named Tire Manufacturer of the Year at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. This is the first win for Pirelli in this category since 2009, and the awards judging panel comments that a strategic focus on high-value premium products, a reorganisation that led to the creation of Prometeon and a stock market flotation, a renewed commitment to R&D with the University of Milan and the launch of the Connesso connected tyre were all factors that led to the tyre maker’s selection.