The Indian two-wheeler market has always remained steady even when a pandemic crisis like COVID 19 strikes and locks down industries, especially the automotive industry, which was even otherwise facing severe slow-down. Like many other Asian countries, India has more 2-wheeler users than car people. Two-wheelers are part of a middle-class Indian’s daily life. Even for the more affluent segment, and especially for youth, 2-wheelers are much sought-after – even a trend statement. As consumers are turning more health and environment conscious, bicycles also have now become very popular.

This trend has helped the 2-wheeler tyre industry greatly. The sector has been bringing good news to the tyre makers, no matter how slow the other segments worked.

“Motorcycle & Scooter tyre sales have performed better than other passenger tyre categories amidst this slowdown, Amit Tolani, VP Marketing, Ceat Tyres, told Tyre Trends. “This is primarily due to restrictions in travel by public transportation and lower consumer confidence in using shared mobility - leading to increase in usage of motorcycles as a personal transport medium.”

“We believe the demand would be there for motorcycle tyres more in rural areas, as the return of migrant workers will couple with lesser use of public transport,” Tolani added. “Urban demand has also increased due to the same reason and we expect it to pick up further as lockdown restrictions ease.

According to him, there is a shift in terms of adoption of tubeless technology. “OEMs are also shifting from tube type to tubeless technology and hence this would reflect in an increase in adoption & demand of tubeless tyres going further up in the near future.”

The industry is now moving into radialisation from bias technology. This is similar to what happened in 4Ws many years ago. With this radialisation technology, tyres would be much better in terms of providing improved ride & handling, providing maximum grip, control & safety to the bike rider & providing a higher fuel efficiency, Tolani said.

He added: “We had earlier launched Gripp X3 range of bike tyres and are now extending it to scooter tyres. This is an innovative product which comes with a Dual compound technology with an USP of everlasting grip, providing maximum grip till the end of tyre life.

“Going forward, we expect tyres with low rolling resistance and low noise coming in to cater to the nascent but fast-growing Electric Bike space. Again, CEAT has taken an early lead in this space by being the tyre partner of most EV Bikes.

 “We are partnering with all leading OEMs for steel radial tyres, which will further provide strength and durability as compared to the existing fabric radial tyres. In addition, we will consolidate our leadership position for Electric Bikes, which will be the next generation solution for this fast-growing space.”

Madhavan P, Executive Vice President- Sales and Marketing, TVS Srichakra, also pointed out that apprehensions on using shared / public transport and a shift to personal mobility due to COVID-19 is expected to push the two-wheeler and the two-wheeler tyre demand in the coming quarters.

He said: “Tyre sales have seen improvements in the month of June and the trend is expected to continue. We are upbeat about the demand and anticipate it to do better in the aftermarket segment, though the OE business will take some more time.

“We are fully prepared to lead our customers into the future of riding with our technologically advanced and high-performance range of tyres. Our R&D centre in Milan helps us tap into international trends in tyre technologies and innovations, with this advantage we will continue to adopt cutting-edge technology and offer world class products.

“Our new brand TVS Eurogrip is still very new and has a very distinct offering. It is one of the major marketing initiatives we have embarked upon in recent years, and the brand is still in nascent stages. In the coming year we will be offering a range of TVS Eurogrip products to meet the expectations of the new age rider. All our recent product introductions including our radials and tubeless patterns have gained good acceptance in the market, the focus going forward will be to further increase our product range with upsize tyres for bikes in the urban sport segment.”

Vinod Gopalakrishnan, Business Head-India operations, Timsun Tyres India, leading tyre dealers, said there has been “a vertical growth in motorcycle tyre sales in the last 2 months despite many big pockets like Mumbai, Chennai were in lock down. Motorcycle tyre market is expected to grow at a high pace further in future. The motorcycle /scooter market is witnessing a revolution in India as the niche, sports and performance motorcycle sales are showing a vertical growth. This manifests that the purpose of riding is getting evolved from just commuting to passion and pleasure. Along with the increase in vehicle population, now the usage per vehicle also is drastically increasing which results in consumption of parts like tyres.”

Timsun has started ground works to manufacture tyres in India.

Tyre mayhem

Have you ever thought about buying a new tyre for your motorcycle? If yes, then you’ll know why it’s an endless search. Ranging from tread pattern, to the kind of rubber compound used, to the size, the options are abundant.

Road tyres: These are the standard tyres that most motorcycles come fitted with. They are made of a harder rubber compound and have more treads etched in. The harder rubber compound used means that it will last longer and is more resistant to harsh road debris. They offer sufficient traction but only at lower speeds as they’re meant for city use. The high side wall on these tyres allows for a more comfortable ride, but limits the lean angle of your motorcycle.

Sport tyres: Not to be confused with racing tyres, Sport tyres are meant for road use only. The rubber compound used is much softer offering excellent grip on tarmac but with the downfall of not lasting as long as regular road tyres. They have fewer tread patterns allowing for a bigger contact patch while still being able to dispel a little water. Sport tyres also allow you to ride at faster speeds without compromising on traction and cornering grip.

SuperSport tyres: The premium segment in motorcycle tyres are the SuperSport tyres. They are sticky tyres which love hugging the road, as long as they are warmed up. SuperSport tyres offer paramount grip at high speeds on dry surfaces but lack wet weather traction due their low and scarce tread depth. You can even drag your knee around corners comfortably knowing the tyre has more grip than you’ll need.

All-Terrain: These tyres are characterised with a bulky tread pattern and depth. They are mainly for those who like riding on a mix of different surfaces like road to dirt. Their dual purpose lets you ride on and off road without having to change your tyres. Unfortunately, this means that they use a harder rubber compound. This offers less grip on dry road surfaces at faster speed, but performs really well in wet weather and on loose surfaces like gravel and mud.

Off-Road tyres: Off-road tyres are slowly becoming popular in India as the number of riders interested in dirt riding is increasing. These tyres have very distinct knobs made specially to dig into the dirt. They are meant only for riding on dirt trails and competitions. Don’t even try to use them on normal road surfaces, unless you like wobbling around while trying to ride in a straight line.

Racing Slicks: You won't find these tyres at your regular tyre shop. They are used only on race tracks and require tyres warmers in order to give you any grip at all. These tyres have a high heat resistance to allow you to ride at 300km/h and have different rubber compounds in different parts of the tyre to give that racing edge. It’s perfect for track days at the Budh circuit.

 Customisation

If you’re bike crazy, the first thing you would do once you get it is to customise it. It’s not about transforming the bike into a radical chopper or a cafe racer, but small things like hand guards, fog lights and, of course, stickers! Our motorcycle is an extension of us. The way we customise it says a lot about our inner personality and our taste in aesthetics.

Mustafa Bakri (24), a graphic designer in Mumbai, says: “I bought the Hero Xpulse 200 for touring purposes, and a few trail rides on weekends. It looked like a go anywhere kind of bike and I’ve realised that it’s extremely comfortable on Mumbai roads.

“I've added a Top Rack with a backrest, brighter LED indicator lights, a softer seat, auxiliary lights, Hand guards, a taller wind breaking visor and plenty of stickers. The Hero Xpulse looks like an off-road motorcycle but I've tailored it for touring use. I made all these tweaks to my motorcycle so that I could tour and travel comfortably and safely”.

Bigger not always better!

Tyres too are an expression of one’s style. Tyre sizes and tread patterns don’t change as frequently as the garments, but they have evolved over time to give a stylish look to your motorcycle. Tyre treads vary from the basic ribbed tyres like the MRF Zapper RF to the Pirelli Sport Demon and even the odd squiggly lined Timsun TS 660.

As tyres go, the general belief is that a bigger tyre gives you more grip and looks really badass. That’s true, but only in part. Bigger tyre gives you a bigger contact patch while riding in a straight line. But it changes the dynamics of how your motorcycle handles while cornering and on uneven roads. The key point to remember is you can’t exceed the tyre size recommended by the motorcycle manufacturer. The rim dimeter and width play a crucial role with tyre size and how well the tyre will perform with your motorcycle. In fact, putting a bigger tyre on a motorcycle that doesn’t support it will reduce your mileage considerably and if it’s too big, you may even have to change the swingarm.

Tyre sizes vary significantly, those numbers written on the sidewall of the tyre as 120/70/R17 is the tyre width, aspect ratio and rim size respectively. These numbers can help you when choosing a new tyre for your motorcycle. Just remember not to go beyond rim size, whereas a slightly different width and aspect ratio may work better depending on your riding style and the terrain you travel on.

A point to keep in mind though - any modification to a motorcycle is illegal as per RTO regulations and your motorcycle can be impounded with a hefty fine. The decision is yours.

Should you change your stock tyre

The tyres that come with your motorcycle have been chosen based on a variety of factors like road abuse, life span, all weather traction and fuel efficiency. They will give you good road grip, adequate wet grip and last you a couple of years. However, there are motorcycle enthusiasts who run through the lifespan of their tyres rather quickly and there are those who know what they want from the get go. Many bikers upgrade their original tyres to ones that either give them better grip on tarmac or give better longevity and grip for touring on different terrains.

It all depends on where you ride your motorcycle the most and the kind of traction you want. Road tyres will work great on the tarmac in all weather conditions and last long, Sport tyres work brilliantly in dry and smooth tarmac, whereas All-Terrain tyres work well for touring.

Calvin Vaz, 37yrs, Sound Engineer in Mumbai, said: “I booked a Bajaj Dominar 400 late last year. The bike comes stock with tyres meant for riding on the tarmac but I wanted to tour different parts of India on this bike. Given that I'm likely to spend quality time on bad roads, I needed a tyre that was closer to 60/40. So, I researched for almost a month and called several dealers to check for the tyres that I wanted. Unfortunately, all the dealers had tyres that were over a year old. Tyre dealers were not helpful in offering me a good value for my stock tyres. I literally rode straight from the showroom to the tyre shop and got my tyres changed the day I bought the bike. I now have Pirelli Rally Scorpion STR tyres on my bike and I'm very happy with them.”

The possible and the impossible!

Every bike manufacturer has done a lot of research on different types of tyres for a particular motorcycle before they launch it in the Indian market. They look at tyres that would serve the intended use of the motorcycle along with longevity. Motorcycles can’t be made customised from the factory. Which is why we make a few modifications to our bikes to suit our style.

As far as tyres go, no authorised motorcycle dealer will allow you to change the stock tyre that comes with your motorcycle, as it voids the warranty. But if your warranty is over, there are plenty of tyre dealers who will sell you every single tyre they have (even if it’s not right for you). Motorcycle tyre shops will always ask you about the tyre size, rim diameter and the ratio you are looking for. But if they don’t have the tyre you’re looking for, they’ll recommend a tyre with a different ratio. This is where you need to be vigilant and not compromise on style over safety and performance.

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As a surviving member of the ‘baby boomer’ generation that commenced with the rapid economic growth following the World War II, I think we are, in a broad sense, privileged to have witnessed and experienced the happenings and consequences of about 50 years in the 20th Century and about 30 years in the 21st Century. When contemplating on the term literacy and its traditional meaning of being able to read and write from an educational perspective, I feel it fitting to cite a few real-life cases, from way back, which make me to wonder whether the above interpretation of literacy is all encompassing.

a) My maternal grandmother, who was born in 1900, did not know reading or writing, a typical feature about the female folk in that era, especially in the remote villages. Despite this apparent handicap, she successfully managed the day-to-day administration of the paddy fields and the rubber plantation, including finances, and raised three children to become worthy human beings.

b) Then there were these three young people who had migrated to Colombo with minimal formal education and started their business in humble ways to become well recognised icons of international fame in the healthcare, confectionary and rubber footwear and tyres, respectively, the latter being related to my own core field, the rubber industry.

c) Last but not the least, the late Martin Wickremasinghe, born in the late 19th century, who attended school only up to the 7th standard, wrote hundreds of books on diverse subjects such as history, anthropology, sociology, religion and literature and several novels (some of which were translated to several languages), which rightfully recognised him as a well-respected scholar and the greatest writer in Sri Lanka.

While it may be futile to compare apples with oranges, I feel that literacy has a utilitarian perspective, which can change with the social context and the circumstances. With my manufacturing background, I see a close parallel of literacy and quality. Out of the hundreds of definitions available of the latter, ‘fitness for use and the level to which requirements are fulfilled’ is applicable to literacy as well.

When going through the available information on the subject, it is noted that ‘literate’ can be traced back to the early 15th century from the Latin word literatus, meaning learned, educated and lettered. Initially, literate meant someone who was well educated, learned and acquainted with literature, and over time, as basic schooling became more widespread, the word was adapted to describe the foundational skill of reading and writing. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines literacy primarily as ‘the ability to read and write’. Two core definitions for the term are identified as Basic Literacy, the fundamental ability to read and write, and Specialised Literacy, the competence, knowledge or skill in a specific subject area in which common modern applications include:

a) Computer literacy: The ability to use computers effectively.

b) Financial literacy: Understanding and effectively managing personal finances.

c) Health literacy: The capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services.

It could be inferred that we, the ‘baby boomers’, currently at an advanced stage in life, cannot do without the above basic literacies, and as a minimum, the routine health check such as blood sugar, blood pressure, LDL and HDL etc. to survive and lead active lives.

It is said that writing originated primarily out of economic necessity as the early agricultural societies grew and needed to track goods, taxes and trade. The evolution of writing from rudimentary clay tokens in to the world’s first independent writing systems in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Mesoamerica around 3200 BC to 3000 BC is a story that requires a deeper elucidation at a different forum.

Literacy is considered as one of the most important foundations of civilisation and has played a crucial role in human survival and existence both evolutionary and historically. However, instead of going into a deliberation of these foundational perspectives, I intend to offer some of my personal insights and recollections on this important subject over the past 60-plus years. I can recollect how at preschool stage, we were initiated into the basics of reading and writing using slates and slate pencils (made out of a silicious material) and the ‘black boards’ in the class room where chalk was used for writing. Literacy mainly meant the ability to read and write and, in later classes, in performing basic arithmetic. In schools and workplace, literacy was closely connected to formal education and subject knowledge. A literate person was one who could understand written communications, reads books and newspapers, write letters and maintain records and perform effectively in society. It was directly connected to social respectability and economic progress.

Literacy in English was considered as a rare virtue in countries which were under the British colonial rule. It was confined only to a few ‘high level’ schools in Colombo and in some major towns. Hailing from a rural background and having attended a small primary school in a remote town, I have first-hand experience of the panic and inferiority when I started secondary education in Colombo. This was especially true when we started studying for the Government (Ordinary Level Exams) in the science stream which was all in English. It was a struggle to get adapted and face the challenge, which I would say, I managed fairly well.

In those days, literacy was essentially confined to formal education and subject knowledge. Students were expected to memorise facts, understand texts and reproduce the information during the examinations. Books and libraries were the main sources of knowledge. Teachers were well recognised and respected as the primary sources of knowledge. And learning was generally a disciplined and structured process. And information, though limited, was relatively organised. I do not consider this as a deficiency or a weakness at all, because it fitted well with the societal and business expectations of those days.

I can well remember the day of my first interview seeking a job, which happened to be in the rubber industry. Instead of asking about isoprene or how the RSS (Ribbed Smoked Sheet) is made, although I managed to cram some information about the latter, I was asked about Ohm’s Law and how steel is made from iron ore. I was lucky because in our Advanced Level class, we had studied the above, and this paved way for a lifelong career in the rubber industry.

Literacy seems to be directly proportional to the rate of percolation or trickling down of the technologies to countries in our part of the world, and this was a rather slow process until the early eighties. However, mankind is evolutionary geared for ‘adaptive radiation’, which in modern jargon can be interpreted as how quickly we learn and get used to the new situations and contingencies as we meet new frontiers. According to the modern theories of cognitive learning, we acquire new knowledge through assimilation of new concepts (schemas) or by accommodation of incoming concepts into our existing knowledge. As an example, I can relate with my personal experience how my literacy in rubber technology evolved, starting as young trainee with very little knowledge on rubber. With the rapid development of science, technology and globalisation and artificial intelligence, the meaning of literacy has expanded beyond the traditional horizons.

In contrast to the scenario of over 50 years ago, today’s literacy has grown to include cultural awareness, ethical understanding, workplace competence, computer literacy, digital communication and the ability to manage continually increasing volumes of information; some of them are very often recurring and sometimes redundant. Some key diversions are shown as follows:

a) Educational and subject literacy: While mathematical and scientific literacy, language proficiency and analytical thinking is essential, they go beyond memorising facts to effective application of the knowledge.

b) Cultural literacy: This has become increasingly important in this era of extending globalisation for respectful understanding and effective communications. This also includes awareness of history, religion, social values and traditions, which lamentably is declining amongst the younger generations.

c) Ethical literacy: This simply means the ability to distinguish the right and the wrong, social responsibility and taking morally sound decisions. Ethical failures can cause serious and disastrous consequences at the work place or the society.

d) Workplace literacy: Today’s workplace literacy includes communication skills, teamwork, time management, leadership, and most importantly, emotional intelligence and empathy.

Cognitive overload is another major challenge in this era of information wilderness where virtually every perceivable member of the community is inundated with vast volumes of information every moment, which often creates confusion. The human mind has limited capacity for attention and memory. Continuous digital distractions can weaken concertation, reduce reflective thinking and may affect mental wellbeing.

While the meaning of literacy has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 60 years or so, the digital age has created opportunities as well as unpresented challenges. Modern literacy requires not only access to information but also the wisdom to evaluate, analyse and apply it effectively. Books, reading habits, reflective thinking and reliable sources of knowledge remain essential even in the era of artificial intelligence.

For many years, literacy and competency have been considered as different subjects. However, in the modern world, the demarcation between the two have been gradually getting blurred. Literacy does not simply mean how much one knows but more on how the knowledge is applied for value creation. This convergence is evident in all walks of life. Employers are increasingly seeking persons who can demonstrate competence rather than merely possessing qualifications. Competency-based education has entered the curricula of many private and governmental institutions in Sri Lanka. Conventionally, Sri Lanka is said to possess one of the highest literacy rates in the region. However, the progress achieved in many aspects of socio-economic, ethical and cultural fronts do not seem to have a matching congruence with competency.

As the American writer, futurist and businessman Alvin Tofler (1928-2016) once quoted,

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

The meaning centres on the shift from static knowledge to the critical need for constant adaptability in a rapidly evolving world.

The author is a Management Counsellor from Sri Lanka.

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The industry is increasingly recognising that competitiveness requires far more than just low wages for strategic innovation. Investors and industry associations are fully aware of this and emphasise that competitiveness inevitably involves creating added value, and that this can only be achieved through investment in talent. Companies are seeking employees with skills in innovation, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership.

Although some disadvantages make Mexico a risky investment location, they do not deter investors. Government stabilisation is contributing to a significantly more favourable investment climate over time and offers numerous advantages for expanding into the country.

However, Mexico presents several persistent disadvantages, risks and challenges for investors. Intense competition from cheap imports continues to strain the domestic market. This creates significant downward pressure, and even simple price adjustments can erode the profit margins of manufacturers of high-quality products. Infrastructure and logistics deficiencies hinder business operations. Mexican logistics infrastructure is considered outdated, particularly regarding intermodal connections, and customs procedures have become less efficient. These factors can increase operating costs and complicate supply chains.

An acute shortage of qualified personnel persists. Despite a young population, the high-tech manufacturing sector suffers from a critical lack of qualified staff, primarily due to high employee turnover and a lack of skilled workers in areas such as welding and maintenance.

Investors face complex challenges, including a tight labour market with rising wages, unreliable energy and water supplies in some areas and ongoing social conflicts that hinder the achievement of business goals. Mexican exports are primarily driven by a shift in trade away from China, rather than by a massive and widespread transfer of foreign capital.

Extortion and kidnapping are observed, particularly in border regions, with significant negative consequences for businesses and foreign investment. In response, the Mexican government has passed a new, comprehensive anti-extortion law, the implementation of which is being closely monitored by business associations.

Mexico offers a stable macroeconomic environment that surpasses that of many emerging markets. Numerous opportunities make Mexico an attractive manufacturing location for many industries…

Players in the Mexican tyre market are adjusting their strategies and focusing more on the domestic market or Brazil and Latin America due to the uncertainty persisting in Mexico regarding deliveries to US because of frequent changes in tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, regularly leading to delays or postponements of delivery dates.

The Mexican tyre industry faces several challenges, but its future will depend on its ability to develop innovative and high-quality products (such as tyres for electric vehicles), adapt its workforce to new requirements and succeed in the complex context of trade policies and global competition to ensure a sustainable and socially responsible future.

Despite some negative economic and social impacts, Mexico offers a stable macroeconomic environment with moderate inflation and rising wages. This has in a way a positive effect on public welfare state and as well as on the automotive and tyre industries. Therefore, rising vehicle sales and increasing disposable incomes are driving tyre demand. Mexico’s position as a hub for tyre production and exports is strengthening. Infrastructure development and growth in the automotive sector including tyre manufacturers are generating additional demand.

A positive aspect of the work ethic of many Mexicans lies in their exceptional productivity and their willingness to work long hours to complete their tasks. In modern industrial environments, employees are characterised by a high degree of professionalism and commitment. The Mexican tyre industry, for example, exemplifies a rapidly modernising work culture. It promotes a strong female presence and employs a very young workforce, with 75 percent of employees being under 35 years old. n

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While the tyre and rubber industries are experiencing one of their most dynamic periods thanks to North American integration, the retreading sector continues to face economic, cultural and market challenges in its efforts to regain momentum.

Few Latin American economies currently occupy as strategic a position within the global tyre industry as Mexico. The combination of manufacturing capacity, geographic proximity to United States and the advantages provided by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has consolidated the country as one of the leading tyre and rubber manufacturing hubs in the region.

In recent years, US trade policies directed at producers located outside North America have further strengthened this position. Investment relocation, nearshoring strategies and the need to secure regional supply chains have created particularly favourable conditions for Mexican industry.

The effects are visible throughout the value chain. Tyre manufacturers, rubber compound producers and raw material suppliers are operating at high activity levels, largely driven by demand from the US market. Industry stakeholders consistently point out that the current challenge is not finding customers but maintaining sufficient capacity to meet North American demand.

The rubber compound industry is perhaps one of the clearest examples of this trend. Benefiting from the regional trade environment, many companies are operating close to full capacity, supplying tyre manufacturers as well as other rubber-related industries. A similar situation can be observed among several retreading material suppliers, whose primary concern is not local demand but their ability to meet growing requirements from United States.

Yet, while manufacturing is experiencing a period of expansion, the retreading sector faces a very different reality.

The paradox is striking. In a country that markets more than 40 million tyres annually and possesses one of Latin America’s strongest industrial platforms, retreading has not been able to regain a sustained growth trajectory.

During his presentation at the Latin Tyre & Auto Parts Expo Panama 2025, Juan Carlos Hernández, then Commercial Manager of Hules Banda, presented figures that help illustrate the scale of the challenge. According to the data presented, Mexico marketed more than 40 million tyres during 2024, with an estimated potential of over five million tyres suitable for retreading. However, only around 960,000 units were actually retreaded, representing a retreading rate of approximately 18 percent.

The figures become even more revealing when analysing installed capacity utilisation. While tyre factories report average idle capacity levels close to 14 percent, retreading plants operate with approximately 70 percent idle capacity. Furthermore, during the first months of 2025, retread production showed a decline of nearly 9 percent compared to the previous year.

The reasons behind this situation appear to be less related to technical capabilities and more connected to the economic incentives currently shaping the market.

The growing presence of low-cost imported tyres has significantly transformed purchasing decisions across many fleets. According to Hernández’s presentation, nearly 40 percent of the radial truck tyre market consists of Asian products sold for less than USD 150 per unit. As a result, the economic gap between purchasing a low-cost new tyre and investing in a retread has narrowed considerably for many operators.

In this context, measures such as tariffs on selected imported products have so far failed to generate significant structural changes in market behaviour or retreading activity levels.

However, attributing the situation solely to pricing would be an oversimplification.

One of the most interesting observations highlighted by Hules Banda points to a less visible but potentially more significant long-term issue: the gradual loss of tyre management culture.

For decades, retreading formed part of a comprehensive asset management strategy, where tyres were managed throughout multiple life cycles in order to maximise cost per kilometre performance. Today, in many segments of the transport industry, that approach has increasingly been replaced by purchasing decisions focused primarily on immediate acquisition costs.

The result has been lower casing utilisation, fewer maintenance and monitoring programmes and increasing difficulty in demonstrating the long-term economic benefits that have historically supported the retreading business model.

Paradoxically, those segments that continue to manage tyres as strategic assets still demonstrate the relevance of retreading. Fleets operating premium and medium-tier tyres remain highly dependent on retreading to optimise operating costs, improve profitability and maximise asset utilisation.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY BEYOND END-OF-LIFE TYRES

Another issue deserving attention is the way the circular economy debate is currently evolving within Mexico’s tyre sector.

Much of the public and regulatory discussion focuses on end-of-life tyres (ELTs), collection systems, reverse logistics and recycling or recovery solutions once the product reaches the end of its useful life. By contrast, strategies aimed at extending product life through reuse often receive considerably less attention.

This is particularly relevant given that internationally recognised circular economy principles establish a hierarchy in which extending product life generally delivers greater environmental value than interventions applied after a product becomes waste.

From this perspective, retreading represents one of the most tangible examples of circularity within the tyre industry, as it preserves the economic, material and energy value embedded in the original casing for a longer period.

Mexico will undoubtedly remain one of the leading players in the North American tyre industry. The strength of its manufacturing sector appears well supported by regional integration, industrial investment and strong demand from United States.

The question that remains is whether the retreading sector will be able to become fully integrated into this growth story.

The industrial capacity exists. The technology is available. Premium market segments continue to require strategies focused on maximising cost per kilometre performance. The challenge appears to lie elsewhere: rebuilding tyre management culture and repositioning retreading as a strategic tool for competitiveness, efficiency and circular economy performance.

At a time when much of the discussion focuses on managing tyres at the end of their life, perhaps the more important question is how to ensure that life lasts longer in the first place.

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I can still vividly remember a journey I made in 1995 with my young Kenyan MD (who is no longer living) in a hired car from the Delhi Airport to some town close to Ludhiana to meet a tyre moulding machinery supplier. The travel was through vast expanses of paddy fields extending to miles, and in between, we could see large industrial sites far away. A clear sign of industry and agriculture co-existing synergistically. When passing the area called Kurukshetra, the driver mentioned that there was a war at this area a long time ago. He was obviously referring to the great war of the epic Mahabharata, a subject which still generates ample curiosity in me even at this advanced age. With growing years of maturity, I am more convinced that the great war symbolically and semantically depicts the inner conflicts going on in our own minds, while these are conventionally polarized as ‘black and white’ under the ‘all- or- nothing’ principle, and Kurukshetra represents our own hearts and intellect, commonly called the emotional brain and intellectual brain in today’s jargon. Equipped with my industry experience acquired for nearly six decades, I am tempted to make a rather feeble effort to understand what has changed in the managerial mind map over the past 50 odd years. It would be similar to finding parallels between the Vietnam War in the late sixties and current war going on in the Middle East, despite the common factor, US.

Quite in contrast to machinery and materials, the man component of the traditional 4Ms is the most confusing area despite the vast research that has been carried out over the years. It is said that the adult human brain consists of about 86 billion neurons, an astronomically high figure compared to memory capacity of the modern computers. Over the past few decades, the modern managerial mindset has undergone profound transformations. Managers today, particularly in the age group of 35 to 50 ( Gen X), operate in an astonishingly different scenario compared their counterparts 50 years ago. The two eras are fundamentally different and attempting to compare them is largely futile. The rapid changes, technologically, culturally, socially and psychologically, are so vast that today’s managers are shaped by globalisation, digitalisation and fierce competition, which has significantly altered their cognition, thinking patterns, values and behavioural approaches.

While most living managers of the older generation adopt a stance of lamenting about the ‘’good old times’, I think it would be more prudent to understand the realities of change. Management philosophies have undergone profound change, evolving from Taylor’s scientific management and Fayol’s top-down framework based on five key managerial functions to the humanistic approaches advanced by Carl Rogers and Maslow. This is the universal feature of impermanence of all conditioned phenomena (cause-effect related), discovered more than 2,600 years ago by Lord Buddha and some Greek and other Eastern philosophers. Endeavoring to maintain stability, in an ever-changing world scenario, has been the driver for the emergence of management concepts and theories, including the latest approaches seen in the contemporary modern world. Comparing modern managers with those from 50 years ago is unrealistic because of the complete change in the context. Earlier managers operated in stable and localised economies, while modern managers operate in a dynamic globalised environment. It is sometimes said that ‘when the President of the United Sates sneezes, the Eastern leaders catch a cold’, a fact amply demonstrated by the recent events.

Decision-making in the past was slow and experience-based, while today it is data driven, rapid and technologically assisted. Traditional management emphasised relationships, loyalty and progressive and gradual growth, while modern systems emphasise on performance metrics and quick results, like the instant coffee.

The growing corporate trends due to industrialisation over the past 30 years especially has witnessed increased focus on productivity, efficiency and outputs along with standardisation, which has made workers and managers becoming a part of a mechanised system. Modern corporate managerial thinking is also been heavily influenced by globalisation, due to exposure to international competition and the need to adapt to diverse cultures and markets and the pressures to meet global benchmarks and standards. The constrains and the stresses imposed on countries such as Sri Lanka is tough in these areas. A good example is the EUDR requirements, which initially was a nightmare to the rubber product manufacturing companies. A far more serious non-technical consequence is that the concept of a ‘global village’ is eroding values of the strong cultural and ethical foundation, leading to identity dilution among managers

During my association with the industry, particularly over the past 20 years, I have personally witnessed decline of the traditional values in the modern managerial mindset. This is also seen in some professional associations in which I have been a member for a long time. Some of the key trends noted are as follows:

a) Limited understanding and low priority given for religion, history and cultural heritage.

b) Reduced emphasis on ethics, empathy and social responsibility despite the fact that this has become a ‘catch word’ in most corporate circles.

c) Over reliance on technical knowledge and digital skills.

d) Decline in the respect for elders and their experience (crystallised knowledge)

e) Over confidence due to access to information, which brings forth a ‘know it all ‘stance.

f) Diminished openness to learn from others.

g) Difficulty in accepting criticism and feedback

While these tendencies directly affect workplace relationships, team cohesion and leadership effectives, the hidden or latent consequences have more deeper implications on personal and social wellbeing.

The Buddha in one of the discourses has observed that a person can victoriously face a battle against an army of elephants, horses, chariots and infantry by having the necessary resources, but it will be more difficult to win the war within due to mental conflicts.

Most business environments are characterised by aggressive target setting, continuous performance evaluations and competitive organisational cultures, which has caught the managers in a perpetual rat-race where success is narrowly defined by targets and profits while there is hardly any time for reflection or personal growth. This creates a certain emptiness and dissatisfaction even among the high achievers.

I find it interesting at this juncture to refer to the historic concept of Sigmond Freud (considered as the founder of Psychoanalysis), the structural components of the mind, namely Id (pleasure principle or gratification), Ego (reality principle) and the Super Ego (ethical and moral conscience). In order to minimise the negative impacts of the conflicts between them, the Ego resorts to defence mechanisms, or temporary coping solutions. Some of these are denial of the problem, repression of the feelings, projection of the blame to somewhere else and rationalisation or giving logical but false explanations. While these   are useful in the short term, over reliance can interfere with mental functioning and emotional growth. All of us are unconsciously resorting to one or several of these in times of emotional turmoil.

The pressures of modern management have led to an exponential growth in mental health challenges in recent years, which include common mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, burnout, depression and features associated with Borderline Personality traits (emotional instability and impulsivity), which result in work-life imbalance and chronic dissatisfaction.

Due to the high psychological demands, there is a growing need for career and workplace counselling. Counselling is a relatively new term that came into prominence around the mid-20th century, before which guidance and support was traditionally provided by the religious institutions, parents, teachers and the elders in the society. Over the recent years, counselling has evolved as a unique profession. Many organisations, especially the larger ones due to the seriousness and gravity of the problems they experience, have established counselling as a regular activity performed in-house or outsourced. Counselling helps managers to cope up with stress and expectations, supporting emotional regulation and resilience and enhancing self-awareness and interpersonal skills, which results in reconnecting purpose and meaning and balancing professional and personal life to develop a healthier mind set. The modern managers must endeavour to have a balanced mind set which is an integrated mix of technical competence, human values, cultural awareness and emotional intelligence and wellbeing. Only then they can move beyond being mere ‘cogs in a wheel’ and become holistic, effective and ethical leaders in the modern world

It is somewhat ironic that Human Resource Sustainability is not named as a single standalone goal in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but covered under several headings such as Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work, Economic Growth and Reduced Inequalities.

While I do not have firsthand information on how human resource counselling is caried out in other countries, my observations and experience in Sri Lanka is that it is done more in a fire fighting or reactive mode, where corrective and remedial measures are taken only in cases of psychological deviances. It is somewhat surprising because Sri Lanka is famous for its preventative public health care in pre and postnatal maternity health and school dental health. Industry safety and health is fairly well addressed in most large, medium and some small enterprises, although these are mainly covering the operational levels. Currently, several standard stress, anxiety and depression measuring scales, both qualitative and quantitative, are available, but they do not seem to be used proactively to detect the cinders underneath the ash. People in emotional distress invariably need to vent their thought and emotions, which causes several cognitive distortions and mental disorders. Active and empathetic listening plays the major role in a therapeutic counselling relationship

Coming back to the Mahabharata, the classic instance of counselling for a person in deep emotional conflict and inner war is the Bhagwat Gita, and all of us will need Lord Krishnas in different disguises at some stages in our lifetimes.

It is interesting how Buddha has adopted an integrative approach to the four aspects or components of wellbeing for human progress as:

• Physical wellbeing
• Mental wellbeing
• Social wellbeing
• Spiritual wellbeing

The author is a Management Counsellor from Sri Lanka. 

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