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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NEXEN TIRE is strengthening its presence in the global replacement tyre market by introducing the N’BLUE S, a high-performance summer tyre, to emerging markets across Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Following a successful rollout in Europe, this expansion targets Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia and Australia. These regions are ideal for summer tyres due to their consistently warm climates and minimal seasonal variation, aligning perfectly with the product’s design.

The N’BLUE S features an optimised contact patch structure that lowers rolling resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency and handling. Its multifunctional compound includes evenly dispersed materials that improve wet grip, ensuring stable and safe driving on rain-soaked roads. Each tyre also bears NEXEN TIRE’s EV ROOT mark, indicating it is engineered for exceptional performance across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. As electrification accelerates globally, this versatility allows the company to serve a broader customer base with a single product line.

The tyre’s capabilities are already proven through both European replacement sales and original equipment partnerships. It has been supplied for models including the Hyundai Casper EV, Kia Niro and PV5. Building on this established credibility with automakers, NEXEN TIRE aims to deepen consumer engagement by expanding availability in the replacement market, supporting long-term growth and revenue diversification.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “The N’BLUE S represents a key strategic model for the company, upgrading its existing summer lineup while extending OE-proven technology into the replacement market. To reinforce our global revenue base, we plan to gradually expand our presence in regions with stable year-round demand for summer tyres.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Company has confirmed its tyre plant in Salem, Virginia, will permanently cease operations with effect from 18 March 2026. This decision follows consultations with the labour union, resulting in an earlier closure than anticipated. Initially, production was to be scaled back in March with a potential shutdown in July, but negotiations accelerated the timeline. The company has held discussions with suppliers and customers, assuring that the closure will not cause supply chain interruptions. Yokohama Tire Corporation, the company's US subsidiary, has coordinated these efforts. For the approximately 570 affected employees, Yokohama is providing outplacement support in cooperation with local agencies and the union.

The Salem facility began operating in the 1960s and has been part of Yokohama since the Mohawk Rubber Company acquisition in 1989. The closure stems from challenges posed by ageing equipment and outdated methods, which hinder meeting production goals focused on high-value-added premium tyres, including ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brands, winter tyres and those sized 18 inches and larger. The company aims to strengthen output and sales of these products.

This move aligns with Yokohama Transformation 2026, the medium-term plan running from 2024 to 2026. The strategy emphasises maximising premium tyre sales while optimising production systems across the group to ensure sustainable profitability and long-term growth. The Salem plant closure directly reflects these efforts.

Despite the shutdown, United States remains one of the most important markets for Yokohama. Since establishing its US sales subsidiary in 1969, the company has expanded its production and sales network through proactive efforts. Yokohama is committed to adapting to global shifts, promoting sustainable business expansion and contributing to the US economy and society. The company continues to respond to changes in the global business environment.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has issued a reminder that underinflated tyres can lead to higher fuel consumption, a concern that is especially relevant given the current geopolitical pressures on global energy markets. With pump prices beginning to climb again across the UK, motorists are being encouraged to carry out basic vehicle maintenance as a way to improve fuel efficiency.

This week, motoring organisations including the RAC and AA have urged drivers to adopt efficient driving habits and ensure their tyres are properly inflated to mitigate the impact of rising costs. Recent RAC Fuel Watch data reveals a significant increase at the pumps, with petrol climbing by approximately 4.68p per litre and diesel rising by around 8.59p per litre in just over a week, coinciding with escalating tensions in the Middle East.

According to TyreSafe, checking tyre pressures at least once a month and before longer trips is essential. Drivers should refer to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, typically listed in the vehicle handbook or on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or fuel cap.

Many motorists may not realise that driving on underinflated tyres could be silently increasing their fuel bills. Research from The Motor Ombudsman indicates that more than half of all tyres on UK roads may be running below the ideal pressure. This increases rolling resistance, meaning the engine has to work harder to maintain normal speeds.

Even a modest drop in pressure can have an effect. A 10 percent reduction can raise fuel consumption by about two percent, adding unnecessary costs. Safety is also compromised, as a 20 percent decrease can impair handling and grip, heightening the risk of incidents. With costs rising again, a simple tyre check can support both road safety and household budgets.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “When fuel prices rise, drivers naturally look for ways to make their fuel last longer. One of the simplest things they can do is check their tyre pressures regularly. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which means the vehicle has to work harder and burn more fuel just to move forward. It may seem like a small issue, but over time it can quietly add to the cost of every journey. More importantly, tyres that are not inflated correctly can reduce grip, handling and overall vehicle stability. Keeping tyres at the correct pressure isn’t just about saving fuel – it’s a critical part of staying safe on the road.”

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Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has inaugurated The Gambia’s inaugural tyre recycling plant, a pioneering step forward in the nation's efforts to combat environmental degradation and manage waste. As per a report by The Point, this landmark facility, established with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is engineered to process end-of-life tyres into reusable materials, directly confronting a long-standing waste issue that has seen discarded tyres obstruct waterways and blight communities for years.

During the inauguration, representatives from KMC highlighted the council's dedication to forward-thinking solutions, ecological responsibility and local advancement. The project was presented as a testament to the effective synergy between local governance and international cooperation in achieving significant environmental progress. The new plant is anticipated to yield substantial advantages, including mitigating pollution and enhancing urban cleanliness from an environmental perspective, while simultaneously unlocking economic potential through the creation of valuable resources from waste.

This, in turn, could stimulate local enterprise and generate employment. Officials characterised the venture as emblematic of a shared resolve to foster a cleaner and more resilient nation. By establishing this recycling facility, KMC has positioned itself at the vanguard of ecological innovation within the country, establishing a benchmark for future sustainable initiatives across The Gambia.

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