Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has received the prestigious General Motors 2024 Supplier of the Year Award at GM’s 33rd annual Supplier of the Year event in Phoenix, Arizona. This marks the company's 10th consecutive and 23rd overall recognition from GM.

Global suppliers are honoured with GM's Supplier of the Year awards for their performance in important areas including safety, innovation and resilience. Award nominations are made by a worldwide cross-functional panel that considers an organisation's performance in 2024 as well as how well it aligns with GM's fundamental values and aspirational objectives. This year, 92 vendors from 12 nations were named GM's 2024 Supplier of the Year.

David Colletti, President of Consumer Original Equipment Tires, North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, said, "This recognition is not only a testament to the decades of collaboration between Bridgestone and GM across our global operations, but the work we are doing each and every day to continue strengthening our partnership. Our shared values and commitment to innovation and performance remain the foundation for our ongoing success."

Jeff Morrison, Global Chief Procurement Officer at GM, said, "For more than 30 years, General Motors has recognised the company's top global suppliers at our annual event, spotlighting their innovation and resiliency through even the most challenging circumstances. Together, we're helping bring advanced technology and the industry's broadest portfolio of vehicles to market for GM customers."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sailun recently welcomed trade and media representatives from across the Nordic region to the Sailun Polar Drive 2026 event, where the focus was on hands-on testing of the new Alpine Evo2, Arctic 2 and studded Ice Blazer Spike winter tyres. Held under severe winter conditions, the gathering was designed to let participants experience the full capabilities of this new range through direct driving experiences rather than passive demonstrations.

Situated in Munio, Finland, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the location offered consistently harsh weather that served as the ultimate proving ground. Around 120 guests, including journalists, original equipment representatives and retail partners from the Baltics and Nordic countries, put the tyres to the test across a variety of challenging surfaces. From loose snow and slush to polished ice and wet pavement, the Alpine Evo2, Arctic 2 and Ice Blazer Spike each had the opportunity to showcase their specialised winter performance.

The event took advantage of temperatures fluctuating between -20 and +5 degrees Celsius, creating the mix of snow, ice and wet roads typical of Nordic winters. Testing took place on a frozen river track straddling the Finnish-Swedish border, featuring dedicated sections for handling, acceleration, braking and drifting. The remote Munio area, known for its pristine natural environment, also reflected Sailun’s commitment to sustainability, which includes reducing energy use and emissions during manufacturing and developing fuel-efficient tyres. A fleet of Audi A3, Audi A6 e-tron and Audi Q6 e-tron vehicles allowed participants to assess not only performance but also comfort, low noise and energy efficiency.

Beyond the driving sessions, the programme included an in-depth workshop covering tyre technology, the new winter product lineup and Sailun’s broader brand direction. Attendees also had ample opportunity to engage directly with members of Sailun’s management team throughout the event.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tana Oy has officially named CRJ Services as its authorised distributor for the complete range of TANA machines across the United Kingdom and Ireland, a strategic move designed to deepen its footprint in these crucial markets. This newly formed exclusive partnership ensures that customers throughout the region will gain access to Tana’s intelligent waste processing solutions, now backed by CRJ’s well-established reputation for technical proficiency and dependable after-sales care.

With a history spanning more than 25 years, CRJ has evolved into a premier provider of waste processing equipment throughout the UK and Ireland. Operating from its headquarters in Cheshire, the company has built its standing on a foundation of quality machine hire, sales and comprehensive aftermarket support, complemented by tailored advice, training and full-service solutions for the recycling, waste management and forestry sectors. Their approach is defined by a dedication to reliability and innovation, emphasising close collaboration with clients to address operational challenges through customised strategies that boost efficiency and promote sustainable practices.

Internationally recognised for its high-performance machinery and digital tools like TanaConnect, Tana Oy brings over five decades of experience in the solid waste management industry. Its portfolio features mobile shredders, landfill compactors and screening equipment, all underpinned by a strong legacy of reliability and a continued mission to enable efficient, sustainable waste processing around the world. This legacy of technological advancement now joins forces with CRJ’s deep-rooted expertise in the field.

By combining Tana’s cutting-edge technology with CRJ’s extensive knowledge of waste processing solutions, customers stand to benefit from systems that are not only more tailored and efficient but also ready for future demands. This collaboration bolsters the availability of integrated technologies spanning material handling, screening and volume reduction. Ultimately, this appointment underscores Tana’s ongoing commitment to partnering with experienced distributors to deliver superior machinery and lifecycle support, ensuring clients achieve peak performance and sustained long-term value.

Jari Mennala, CEO, Tana Oy, said, “We are pleased to partner with CRJ, who have built a strong reputation in the waste and recycling sector through their customer centricity, technical expertise and extensive service capabilities. We look forward to working together to bring Tana’s intelligent waste processing solutions to more operators across the region.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kimi Antonelli secured his second Formula 1 victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, a triumph shaped by a pivotal strategic gamble involving Pirelli’s tyre compounds. While most of the grid initiated their race on the Medium C2 rubber, Antonelli’s campaign was defined by impeccable timing. A poor getaway initially dropped the Mercedes driver down the order, but he was perfectly positioned to capitalise on a mid-race Safety Car, making his pit stop at the ideal moment to vault back into the lead. He held off Oscar Piastri in second and Charles Leclerc in third, converting the opportunity into a commanding win.

The early stages of the race at Suzuka were marked by significant turbulence behind the frontrunners. Piastri and Leclerc both enjoyed blistering starts off the line, with the McLaren driver surging past Antonelli to seize an immediate lead that he held comfortably through the first stint. Although Piastri’s scheduled pit stop was executed cleanly, the deployment of a Safety Car shortly thereafter proved decisive. Antonelli, who had yet to make his mandatory stop, was gifted a free pit lane entry under the neutralised conditions, allowing him to inherit track position that he would not surrender for the remainder of the afternoon.

Under overcast skies and cooler temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius, the strategic picture largely aligned with pre-race expectations. The majority of the field committed to a one-stop strategy, starting on the Medium C2 compound before switching to the Hard C1 for the final stint. The only exception was Valtteri Bottas, who inverted the approach by starting on the Hards and moving to the Mediums. Once racing resumed, Antonelli demonstrated he was the fastest driver on track, immediately carving out a decisive gap over the chasing pack to secure his victory.

Behind the leader, a fierce multi-car battle unfolded for the remaining podium positions. Piastri emerged at the head of that fight to claim second, while Leclerc secured third after a brilliant wheel-to-wheel duel with George Russell, who ultimately finished fourth. Lewis Hamilton also capitalised on the Safety Car by pitting immediately, mirroring the race-winning strategy. With this result, Antonelli made history as the youngest driver and first teenager to lead the Formula 1 World Championship, now holding 72 points, ahead of Russell with 63 and Leclerc with 49.

Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director, said, “The quickest strategy on paper was essentially the one adopted by all the drivers in the race, with Valtteri Bottas the only driver to do something different. No team evidently considered it worthwhile to take a risk on the Soft compound, either at the start or in the final stages, despite it remaining a viable option thanks to the low degradation recorded in the preceding days. Albon’s use of the C3 was clearly not driven by strategic considerations, given the high number of pit lane visits he made. During the Grand Prix, the compounds did not restrict the cars’ race pace.

“The safety car triggered by Bearman’s off-track moment certainly benefited those who had not attempted the undercut, including race winner Kimi Antonelli. Without the neutralisation, we still believe that the pit stop would have taken place in the laps immediately thereafter. Pirelli’s Japanese trip will not end today, as on Tuesday and Wednesday we have scheduled two days of testing at Suzuka for the development of next season’s dry-weather tyres. Assisting us on track, with one car each, will be the Red Bull and Racing Bulls teams.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Georgian company Tegeta Motors, through its environmental arm Tegeta Green Planet, recently spearheaded a major cleanup effort by removing roughly 2,000 illegally discarded tyres from a former landfill near the settlement of Giorgitsminda, Georgia. The operation addressed years of unchecked dumping that had endangered local soil, water and community health.

Despite the challenging terrain, the contaminated site was fully cleared within days using the company’s own resources and in strict adherence to safety protocols. All collected tyres are now set to undergo recycling in line with technical regulations, transforming a longstanding environmental hazard into a manageable waste stream.

This initiative reflects the broader mission of Tegeta Green Planet, which operates under the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Beyond simply remediating a single location, the organisation aims to raise public awareness about the severe consequences of uncontrolled automotive waste disposal, ensuring that collection, transport and recycling are carried out lawfully.

The company has a history of such actions, having previously organised similar cleanups in Tbilisi and Bakuriani. With roughly 45 collection points across Georgia, Tegeta Green Planet encourages responsible disposal through its recycling initiative. Authorised in 2022 to manage the national EPR scheme for waste tyres, the organisation has since attracted nearly 350 manufacturers to its collective compliance system.

Shalva Akhvlediani, Director, Tegeta Green Planet, said, "We are delighted that, as part of a joint initiative between Tegeta Motors and Tegeta Green Planet, we have implemented another large-scale project and cleared the contaminated area of car tyres. Such activities significantly reduce the negative impact on the environment, especially considering that the collected waste is recycled in full compliance with technical regulations. We have carried out similar projects many times before. Last year alone, Tegeta Green Planet collected and recycled more than 6,000 tonnes of automotive waste – tyres, batteries and used oil. We are proud that these figures are growing every year, and in this way, we are contributing to the development of a circular economy and environmental protection in our country. We ask our citizens to report any areas contaminated with automotive waste to us. This can be done via the Tegeta Green Planet website or the Tegeta app, and we will respond accordingly.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!