Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced an investment of $60 million on Thursday, in order to expand its Bridgestone Bandag, LLC manufacturing plant in Abilene, Texas. Bandag is an industry-leading supplier of retread tires for fleets.

According to Bridgestone Americas, the objective behind the 50,000-square-foot expansion of the plant is because of the growing demand for the company’s tread rubber products, driven by the rapid growth of its retread business. The company claims that the plant is to build upon the existing 200,000 square-foot blueprint and provide the capacity needed for future production.

As per Bridgestone Americas, the expansion includes an immediate increase in operational activity by running on six and seven-day production schedules, including the construction of new mixing operations at the facility. The mixing operations are expected to be completed and be in operation by January 2025. This expansion and additional days of operations will increase the 51-year old plant’s output by 16 percent, the company said when it took to its LinkedIn page today to make the announcement.

Sharing his thoughts, Barry Owens, Senior Vice President, Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group, said, “Today, we celebrate the growth and commitment of this plant and this community, with new investment and a physical expansion driven by growing demand for our products and, just as fundamentally, by this team’s commitment to delivering innovation and superior quality for our customers here and around the world. Our company and our Abilene team have a vital role to play in the transformation of mobility brought forth by a desire of building greener retreads, while helping maximise fuel efficiency for fleets.”

The Abilene plant expansion supports Bridgestone’s E8 Commitment that consists of eight Bridgestone-like values, starting with the letter ‘E’ – Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. This is to help realise a sustainable society. Expanding Bandag operations aligns with the company’s ‘Efficiency’, ‘Ecology’ and ‘Energy’ commitments, according to Bridgestone Americas.

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Tipler convened dealers from across Brazil and Latin America in a live online broadcast in February using its annual convention to reward top performers, outline strategy and tighten alignment across its commercial truck tire retreading network.

Branded the 2026 Convention – Tipler Champions League, the virtual gathering connected business owners, managers and sales teams in what the company described as a pivotal moment for recognition and planning ahead of its next expansion cycle. The event spotlighted standout performances in 2025 with dealers evaluated on sales results, management standards, market growth and operational excellence.

Beyond awards, the convention doubled as a strategic roadmap session for 2026. Executives detailed commercial targets, marketing and market intelligence investments and new technical and management training initiatives. The company also signaled plans to expand regional operations and further develop its Tipler Champions League program, while sharpening its focus on innovation, efficiency gains, customer proximity and territorial expansion in key Latin American markets.

Leadership underscored the dealer network’s role in driving sustainable growth. “Our business model is built by many hands. Each dealer is a key player in our story. The convention is the moment to celebrate achievements and, above all, align our course so we can continue growing together,” said Jandrei Goldschmidt, Marketing Executive at Tipler.

The high-engagement broadcast reinforced integration across the network and a collective push to bolster competitiveness as Tipler works to consolidate its position among sector leaders. By linking partners, sharing operational and commercial priorities and recognising performance, the company signaled its intent to accelerate growth while maintaining a focus on excellence, dealer partnership and value creation for the transportation market across the region.

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DRC (Doctors of Rubber Compounding) is set to participate in the 2026 edition of Tire Technology Expo, a premier European event focused on tyre manufacturing materials and technology. The exhibition will take place in Hannover, Germany, from 3 to 5 March 2026.

Bringing over four and a half decades of expertise as a specialist custom compounder, DRC supplies advanced rubber compounds to tire producers worldwide. These formulations are designed for various tyre components, such as treads, sidewalls, innerliners and other technical parts. Beyond developing compounds and offering large-scale mixing capabilities, the company also manufactures semi-finished tyre-related goods, including calendered rubber and retreading materials. DRC provides comprehensive support throughout the entire process, from the initial formulation stage to final application, backed by in-house testing and scalable production to guarantee consistent quality, processing efficiency and supply reliability.

Attendees are invited to visit Stand C114 in Hall 20 to engage with the DRC team, explore custom compound development, address specific performance criteria for tyre materials and learn more about their full range of compounded and semi-finished products.

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Left Lane Auto, a tyre retail and automotive services provider based in Champaign, Illinois, has expanded its footprint through a new partnership with Don Foshay's Discount Tire & Alignment. The Maine-based business operates six locations offering comprehensive vehicle repair and maintenance and is the latest addition to Left Lane’s growing portfolio, which is backed by private equity firm Bertram Capital. The financial details of the deal have not been released.

Founded in 1982 by Don Foshay Sr with a single shop in South Portland, the company has since grown to include six locations and a team of more than 75 employees. Over the years, the business has earned multiple industry accolades while building a strong reputation under its established local brand. Its service offerings are extensive and include tyre sales and installation, wheel alignments, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, transmission work and repairs to exhaust, cooling and belt systems for a wide range of vehicles. The organisation has also invested in modern diagnostic and repair technology to support its commitment to dependable service.

This acquisition represents a significant milestone for Left Lane, bringing its total number of owned stores to over 80 since its inception in 2021. It also marks the first transaction completed following the strategic partnership announced between Left Lane and Bertram Capital in late 2025.

Parham Parastaran, CEO, Left Lane, said, "We are excited to have the opportunity to carry on the strong legacy and operation that the Foshay family has built in Maine, which will serve as a strong entry point into the state for our platform. We plan to retain all upper management and employees across all locations and are excited to continue to grow both the Don Foshay's brand and the broader Left Lane platform's presence across the New England area."

Don Foshay Jr said, "We had multiple buyers to pick from but found that Left Lane Auto was the best match for our team and our customers going forward. The further we've gotten into the transition, the happier we are with that decision."

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Sun Auto Tire & Service, one of the largest independent tyre and automotive service providers in US, has strengthened its position in Alabama by completing two acquisitions that add four service locations to its statewide network. One of the acquired businesses, Bay City Tire & Wheel, enhances the company’s Gulf Coast coverage and joins existing Alabama operations such as Fausak Tires and Vannoy's Tires under a unified platform. Known locally for its dependable and customer-focused approach, Bay City Tire & Wheel has built strong trust with drivers in its community.

The second acquisition includes Black’s Tire & Auto Save, comprising three shops in northeast and central Alabama. This purchase extends Sun Auto’s service footprint into new areas across the state and reinforces its broader strategy of expanding throughout the Southeast. Together, these additions increase Sun Auto’s ability to serve a wider range of customers while deepening its regional presence.

All newly acquired locations will function within the Sun Auto Network, gaining access to centralised systems, enhanced training and operational tools aimed at sustaining long-term success. At the same time, each shop will retain its local identity and continue delivering the personalised service that customers have come to expect. With more than 550 locations nationwide, Sun Auto continues to grow by supporting established local brands and upholding consistent service standards across all markets, helping drivers travel with confidence wherever they go.

Michael Loa, Regional Vice President, said, "We're proud to continue growing in Alabama and serving drivers across the state. By welcoming these respected companies and their teams into the Sun Auto Network, we're strengthening our ability to deliver consistent service standards and help more guests Drive Confidently throughout the Southeast."

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