Ashutosh Chincholikar, the Founder and CEO of Smart Controls, passed away on 23 May 2021 after losing battle to Covid-19.

Chincholikar was an electronics engineering graduate with more than 28 years of experience in the rubber and tyre industry. Smart Controls was founded in 1999 and has achieved major milestones under his leadership, which includes Automation, MES and Digitalisation Solutions for Rubber Mixing Room, Tyre Curing Presses, Spinning Lines, Polyester Staple Fiber Lines, Fabric Dipping Lines, Airport-Metro Baggage Handling etc.

Black Donuts Engineering Inc, commented, “Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. With great memories of a true tyre industry professional and friend, Ashutosh Chincholikar.”

Peter Haan, Head of Global VM Tire, Siemens AG, said, “The global tyre community lost a pioneer regarding moving our industry towards digitalisation. This was his passion! Siemens has lost a long term reliable partner; driving our common business as an entrepreneur with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. I have lost a very good friend and I am in deep sorrow about this loss. Our feelings are with the family.”

Rochus Hofmann, Managing Director, Zeppelin Systems, said, “With heartfelt sorrow, we had to communicate to the Zeppelin Group that our colleague, friend and business partner, Ashutosh Chincholikar, passed away unexpectedly. He was the Founder, Managing Director as well as Co-Owner of Smart Controls India Ltd., our strategic joint venture automation company at Gwalior. Additionally, he was a very significant member of the global management team of Zeppelin Systems. We are saddened by this big loss for the whole Zeppelin Group."

“He will remain in mine and our memories with his visionary sense and his irrepressible will to move forward. It was a pleasure to work with him and exchange ideas. Those of us who have been in contact with him will also remember his energy, smile and his smart way of communicating with others. We pray to the Almighty for granting eternal peace to the departed soul,” he added.

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Trelleborg Tires is all prepped up to debut the ART1000, its first agricultural rubber track for high-powered machinery, at the upcoming Agrishow 2025, the largest agribusiness trade show in Latin America. The company will also display its TM150 CFO tyre, which is developed for a new generation of sprayers, along with a wide selection of products designed for modern farming. The event is scheduled to be held from 28 April to 2 May in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.

Trelleborg Tires enters the agricultural rubber track market with the ART1000, a tyre designed for high-horsepower machines. In addition to optimizing vehicle economy and offering additional strength and long-lasting durability, the ART1000 is engineered for remarkable adaptability and mobility of agricultural machinery in all operating circumstances. Its track design incorporates cutting-edge tread bars that reduce soil compaction, encouraging nutrient absorption and robust root development. In demanding high-pull applications, the high self-cleaning capability maximizes overall performance and lowers operating costs by improving ride quality and increasing traction. Even in the most demanding agricultural settings, ART1000's exceptional wear and cut resistance is ensured by its cutting-edge engineering and sophisticated rubber compounds.

The TM150 CFO series, which comes in sizes VF380/90R46 and has both VF (Very High Flexion) and CFO (Cyclic Field Operations) technology, is also making its debut in Brazil. CFO allows for greater load capacity during cyclic operations at up to 30 kmph when installed on contemporary, powerful sprayers. Because of its unique internal construction, the TM150 can operate at lower pressures, increasing its ground footprint, reducing soil compaction, and improving traction.

At Booth #E8b, Trelleborg will also display a range of high-performance tyre solutions including PneuTrac, a hybrid between a radial agricultural tyre and a track designed for smooth navigation in vineyards and orchards, the multi-award-winning TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyre and the company’s patented agricultural TW rim profile for contemporary tractors, combines and harvesters.

Marcelo Natalini, President at Yokohama TWS South America, said, “Trelleborg Tires brings innovation from the soil up, delivering high-performing tyre solutions to boost productivity and protect their land. At Agrishow 2025, agri professionals will have the chance to connect with our tyre experts on site and see these technologies live, from the new ART1000 rubber track to our most advanced tyre ranges, designed to handle the challenges of next-generation machinery and modern field operations.”

Goodyear Tyre & Rubber is conducting a strategic review of the farm tyre business at its Indian subsidiary, signalling potential changes as the US manufacturer evaluates its global operations.

The Indian unit disclosed in a regulatory filing that its board has acknowledged communication from its American parent regarding the review. Goodyear will be examining "all strategic, operational and financial opportunities" related to the agricultural tyre business, according to the statement filed under SEBI disclosure requirements.

The Ohio-based tyre maker has not indicated any specific plans or timeline for the review. The company cautioned that there is "no assurance that the strategic review will result in the implementation of any transaction."

This move is part of Goodyear's broader efforts to optimise its global portfolio amid challenging market conditions in the automotive sector.

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.