The praised solution has been in use at Eurl Saterex-Iris in Algeria since autumn 2019. Eurl Saterex-Iris is the third biggest tyre manufacturing plant in Africa, serving both local and export markets. The modern plant was mainly designed and constructed by Black Donuts Engineering and its international partner network. Black Donuts is also responsible for production management, which applies the core principles of Lean Management and focuses on reducing the interim stocks to the bare minimum according to the pull method. To enhance this, the company developed an RFID-based electronic eKanban solution together with Toptunniste.

“The eKanban project started from a need to improve production management. The first acute challenge we met was the lack of adequate and accurate information on the overall production status,” Solution Manager Aki Nurminen recalls.

Originally, there were nine Kanban boards located all over the two-floor factory. One had to check each board manually, so it took time and effort to capture a complete view of the production status.

Another deficit concerned the insufficient information provided on manufacturing schedules. The old Kanban boards did not give enough information on when certain materials were supposed to be in production.

The returned cards included no accurate time markings, so it was hard to stay updated, notice stock alerts and to respond on time.

Real-time production status

New technology was needed to solve the problem. It became clear that initiating remote monitoring would require electronic boards instead of the traditional ones. Black Donuts contacted another Finnish technology company, Toptunniste, to present the idea and search for a way to actualise it. The solution was simple: adding RFID features to an existing Kanban board would upgrade it to a more accurate, more informative, and easy-to-use eKanban board. Next, the old cards were replaced by RFID tagged cards, readable through RFID technology.

Now, all nine eKanban boards are online in Saterex’s internal data system and easily monitored from any computer. Consequently, an up-to-date overall view of the entire production is now always at hand.

The eKanban solution enables better and real-time tracking of overall production status and enhances the supervision of production processes.

It adds the time markings automatically to each card on return, keeps account, and establishes automatic triggers to replenish stock when predefined minimums are reached for each inventory item.

The system also calculates and presents the estimated time left before reaching the pre-defined minimum of each item in the downstream processes. This is the lens that helps us prioritize and schedule the production runs.

Optimised processes

The new eKanban boards were taken into use at Saterex tyre plant in fall 2019. For the users operating in the production lines, the new solution has not brought any changes in their daily routines, but the Kanban boards are used the same way as before. For the supervisors and factory management, the new system enables a remote and real-time view of the production status through a web interface.

The new solution helps in prioritizing the tasks and shortens the reaction time to different problems arising in production. eKanban is also a great planning tool, as it gives us a complete process overview, Aki explains.

The eKanban system gets all the production information it needs straight from the company’s MES, where the daily consumption levels of each process, as well as the minimum and maximum storage levels, are defined. Separate eKanban views, visualizing the interim storage levels, can be reviewed through MES which enables effective inventory management.

The eKanban solution is designed for tracking the production, not to automatically assign anything. It is always the team, the people, who make the decisions based on the information they receive. However, the solution helps to improve tracking and optimizing operations, Aki says.

Advanced work management

Moreover, the eKanban solution enhances work management.

Compared to manual Kanban systems, eKanban gives additional information on storage unit rotations, events and even stock rotation history. It is valuable information for both follow-ups and for managing transportation activities and best working methods. Earlier, the material transportation could idle, and the return of cards to the Kanban boards be irregular, which caused various scheduling challenges, stockouts and unexpected changes in demand.

It was nearly impossible to find the root cause for problems and consequently improve it. Thanks to the digitised solution, we can now track every event, which supports work development and feedback giving.

While the manual Kanban boards already gave a good boost for companies in optimizing production, the new eKanban solution brings monitoring, tracking and optimizing to a remarkably higher level.

eKanban is an excellent example of how we can improve proven old methods during digital transformation.

eKanban was designed to add a remarkable value to the supply chain support operations. This was accomplished by optimizing cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and the movement of materials. Currently, Aki’s team is already developing the next generation eKanban solution, one without any physical cards or printed labels and boards. This will serve the needs of the highest automation solutions, which require visual identification instead of manual labelling or printed cards.

The operators do not even need to touch the storage units anymore, but the Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) completes the visual identification. Electronic Shelf Label is automatically updated during the manufacturing processes and events referring to RFID identifications and data communication. This way, the labels are never missing, old or wrong, and they are readable in all occasions and all the time, Aki explains.

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Michelin has expanded its retail network in Rajasthan by opening a new Michelin Tyres & Services outlet in Bikaner. The facility results from a partnership with Bhagwati Tyres and is situated on Jaipur Road near the Khatu Shyam Temple. This location is intended to improve regional access to the company’s premium tyre products and advanced automotive care.

The 7,000-square-foot establishment functions as a contemporary mobility hub with customer-focused infrastructure. Shoppers can find high-end tyres for passenger cars and two-wheelers, while on-site technicians provide wheel alignment, balancing and nitrogen inflation. The official opening ceremony featured Annu Mehla, the North and East B2C regional sales head, alongside representatives from Bhagwati Tyres.

Bhagwati Motors Nokha Private Limited has operated in Rajasthan since 2006 and possesses more than 20 years of local market experience. The firm has made substantial investments in spacious retail spaces to elevate the tyre buying experience. Through its collaboration with Michelin, the enterprise seeks to offer tyre solutions that emphasise safety, longevity and strong performance, thereby aiding the region’s automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “As mobility aspirations continue to evolve across India, we are seeing growing demand for premium products and high-quality automotive services beyond traditional metropolitan markets. Bikaner represents an important growth market for Michelin in Rajasthan, driven by increasing vehicle ownership and a rising appreciation for performance and safety. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers.”

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LAUGFS Corporation (Rubber) Ltd, a prominent Sri Lankan manufacturer and exporter of high-quality industrial solid tyres, has announced the recent appointment of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chinthaka Wegapitiya, as Sectoral Head for Rubber Tyres and Accessories. This prestigious designation was conferred by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.

The appointment underscores Wegapitiya’s leadership and dedication to advancing the nation’s export capabilities. In his new capacity, he is expected to tackle sector-specific challenges, promote collaborative efforts and drive strategic initiatives aimed at boosting the global competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s rubber tyre export industry. The company expressed confidence in his ability to excel in this important national role while anticipating continued progress for the sector.

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Apollo Tyres, the Lead Sponsor of the Indian National Cricket Teams, has launched a new campaign extending its ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ ethos to spotlight the Women in Blue. The initiative shifts focus from celebrated victories to the lesser‑seen, demanding journeys of female cricketers before they gained national recognition.

A newly released cinematic film captures the solitary and challenging paths of Harmanpreet, Smriti, Jemima, Shafali and Renuka, set to an original soundtrack. It highlights formative struggles such as a young Shafali cutting her hair to join boys’ academies, Harmanpreet defying deep‑rooted conventions, Smriti drawing inspiration from her brother, Jemimah practicing with boys and Renuka enduring long commutes to training.

The digital‑first campaign will be amplified across YouTube and Meta, supported by localised digital out‑of‑home, influencer collaborations and interactive social media activations. The rollout targets cricket enthusiasts through a comprehensive distribution strategy across high‑impact digital touchpoints.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ has always been about celebrating the journey alongside the destination. As we carry this philosophy forward, with immense pride we share the untold stories of our Women in Blue. Their journeys, filled with courage and conviction, are a source of inspiration for the entire country. This campaign is a tribute to their unwavering spirit and our commitment to championing the values of perseverance and excellence, reflecting the same passion and respect we hold for all of Indian cricket.”

Simran Kanwar said, “Our vision was to create a film that felt distinct and deeply personal to the experiences of Harmanpreet, Smriti, Jemima, Shafali and Renuka. While it stems from the same ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ ethos, the storytelling is uniquely tailored to reflect their individual struggles and triumphs. Through intimate storytelling and an emotionally driven soundtrack, we wanted audiences to connect with the heart behind women's cricket in India, powerfully reminding millions of young women across the nation that their journeys matter.”

Udyan Ghai, Group Head, Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This is not about replicating a formula; this campaign is a heartfelt extension of our core belief. The cultural momentum behind women’s cricket is undeniable, and we wanted to honour that by ensuring our storytelling was authentic and deeply connected to their unique experiences. With this chapter of ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’, we are engaging audiences with stories of resilience that resonate universally, reinforcing that every journey to the top deserves to be celebrated with equal passion.”

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Pirelli will deploy its full range of tyre compounds across the upcoming Austrian and British Grand Prix races. For the Red Bull Ring event in Spielberg, teams gain access to the three softest mixtures in the range, designated C3, C4 and C5. The Silverstone race, however, sees a return to the hardest trio of C1, C2 and C3 compounds.

The Austrian circuit features the fewest corners and shortest lap time on the Formula One calendar, with heavy braking and acceleration zones. These characteristics generate predominantly thermal degradation in the tyres, while lateral loads on the axles remain low. Despite the track’s old and highly abrasive surface, pure tyre wear is not considered a decisive factor.

Silverstone adopts the Sprint weekend format this year and ranks among the longest circuits, dominated by high-speed corners that produce extreme lateral forces comparable to Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps. Consequently, the front axle endures the highest stress, with the left-front tyre wearing more quickly due to the abundance of right-hand turns.

Pirelli serves as the title sponsor for the British Grand Prix weekend, a distinction it also holds for the Italian Grand Prix. This association links the manufacturer’s name with two of the most frequently held historic events in the Formula One World Championship.

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