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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Triangle Tyre has been appointed as the inaugural Official Tyre Partner of Brentford Football Club following the signing of a new two-year exclusivity agreement in the tyre category. The contract was formalised in London by Brentford Commercial Director Fran James and Triangle Tyre’s Europe General Manager, Corrado Moglia.

The alliance unites two performance-focused entities that share a challenger philosophy, having each ascended in their fields through strategic intelligence and operational efficiency. Brentford’s renowned data-driven methodologies are complemented by Triangle Tyre’s dedication to engineering research and product advancement, creating a synergy between on-pitch analytics and industrial innovation.

As part of the arrangement, Stapleton’s Tyre Services, the largest UK distributor of passenger car tyres, has been designated as the Local Delivery Partner to facilitate the activation of commercial rights domestically. Brentford’s international visibility is expected to elevate Triangle Tyre’s global brand presence, while the club will also coordinate targeted promotional efforts within London and the broader United Kingdom.

Sustainability forms a core pillar of the collaboration, providing a platform to highlight Triangle Tyre’s environmental commitments and technological developments alongside community initiatives nationwide. The tyre manufacturer will benefit from matchday branding at the Gtech Community Stadium, player and ambassador content opportunities and exclusive hospitality access during home fixtures.

Fran Jones, Commercial Director, Brentford, said, "It's very exciting to welcome another challenger brand like Triangle to our partnership family. When you share that mindset, the understanding of what the partnership can achieve is clear from the start. Triangle's innovation and sustainable commitments really impressed us too, so I have full faith that this is the beginning of a strong, impactful relationship."

Corrado Moglia, General Manager – Europe, Triangle Tyre, said, “We are extremely pleased to begin this partnership with Brentford Football Club. Brentford is a club with a strong identity, an ambitious approach and a reputation for competing successfully through intelligence, organisation and determination. Triangle and Brentford share a challenger mindset and believe that data, technology and efficiency can deliver outstanding results. This partnership is an important step in strengthening Triangle’s brand visibility across Europe while providing a powerful global platform to communicate our innovation, sustainability and corporate responsibility.”

Andy Fern, Managing Director, Stapleton’s Tyre Services, said, “We are delighted to support this exciting partnership. As the UK’s largest tyre distribution business, we have worked with Triangle for many years to bring its passenger car tyres to market, and have seen first-hand the brand’s commitment to innovation, quality and sustainable development. Brentford’s progressive approach and strong community connection make them an excellent partner. We look forward to bringing the partnership to life and creating meaningful opportunities to engage our customers, and, ultimately, drivers across the country.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin has secured a landmark contract extension with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, cementing its role as the exclusive tyre supplier for the Hypercar class in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The renewed agreement, which emerged from a formal tender process, will now remain in effect through the conclusion of the 2032 season, adding three additional years to the existing deal that was originally set to expire in 2029.

The French tyre manufacturer has maintained an uninterrupted presence in elite endurance racing since 1998 and was instrumental in the championship’s revival in 2012. Currently, Michelin supplies every competitor within the Hypercar field, a category that showcases premier global automotive brands. Within this highly competitive environment, tyre performance directly influences speed, strategic decision-making, safety protocols and overall ecological footprint.

Endurance racing continues to function as a critical testing ground for Michelin’s technological advancements, with extreme track conditions, varied weather and sustained high-speed loads driving rapid innovation. These rigorous demands facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge developments to everyday road tyres. Furthermore, the company has leveraged motorsport to advance sustainable mobility, as evidenced by the new 2026 MICHELIN Pilot Sport Endurance range, whose slick compounds now feature 50 percent renewable and recycled materials.

This extended partnership ensures Michelin will maintain its development platform alongside the FIA, the ACO and all Hypercar manufacturers. The collaboration underscores racing’s capacity to produce tangible, resource-conscious solutions that uphold performance standards while addressing environmental considerations across the entire tire lifecycle.

Matthieu Bonardel, Director, Michelin Motorsport, said, “We are particularly proud of the renewed confidence shown in Michelin by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. I would like to sincerely thank both organisations for the quality of our discussions throughout this tender process. This contract extension is a strong recognition of the quality of the tyres and services we provide, as well as our ability to continuously innovate. It is also excellent news for our teams and for all our manufacturer partners, with whom we share the same ambition: to push the boundaries of performance while accelerating the transition towards increasingly sustainable mobility.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has released a new study identifying tyre pressure management as a significant, yet often overlooked, factor in controlling volatile fuel costs for truck fleets operating across United States and Canada. The research quantifies the direct financial impact of proper inflation, revealing that maintaining tyres at recommended levels can yield substantial savings over time. The analysis underscores that even minor deviations from optimal pressure can have a pronounced effect on overall fuel economy.

The six-month study meticulously examined 4,000 trips from a fleet of 10 tractor-trailers, comparing fuel consumption across various tyre pressures. With the vehicles averaging 106 PSI against a target of 110 PSI, the data demonstrated that correcting this discrepancy resulted in a fuel economy improvement of roughly 0.62 miles per gallon. This increase, which represents a 7.9 percent gain, elevated the average from 7.87 MPG to 8.49 MPG, confirming the powerful correlation between inflation and efficiency.

The projected annual savings for a single vehicle, based on 80,000 miles driven and a fuel price of USD 4.05 per gallon, are estimated at USD 1,718. The financial benefits scale exponentially with fleet size, with Continental forecasting annual savings of approximately USD 85,900 for a 50-truck operation, escalating to over USD 17 million for a fleet of 10,000 vehicles. These figures highlight the considerable economic leverage available through consistent tire maintenance.

Given that tyre pressure naturally declines over time and can easily go unnoticed between manual inspections, Continental advocates for its digital monitoring solution, ContiConnect. The system employs internal sensors to provide continuous, real-time data on pressure and temperature, sending automated alerts when readings fall outside preset boundaries. This technology enables fleet operators to proactively manage tyre health, ensuring sustained fuel savings while simultaneously enhancing tyre longevity and minimising vehicle downtime.

Renato Sarzano, Senior Vice President – Truck Tires Americas, Continental, said, “With fuel prices staying high and volatile, fuel economy has become one of the most important factors in a fleet’s bottom line – and that’s only going to intensify in the years ahead. Tyre pressure is one of the few cost levers fleets can control directly, but staying on top of it shouldn’t be another thing operators have to worry about. ContiConnect addresses this, turning continuous tyre data into measurable savings. For operators under constant cost pressure, that’s a meaningful and lasting advantage.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sri Trang Group has inaugurated the 2026 edition of its flagship environmental stewardship initiative, ‘One Sri Trang, One Environment’, at the Rubberland Products Co., Ltd. facility in Buriram. The event, which marks the first of its kind for the year, convened representatives from government bodies, local community leadership and industry partners. The primary objective was to offer an in-depth review of the conglomerate’s comprehensive environmental protocols, culminating in a guided tour of the factory’s operational core.

A central feature of the presentation was the facility’s fully enclosed raw material storage building, designed to achieve total containment of natural rubber inputs. This infrastructure serves a dual purpose: it significantly mitigates the release of airborne odours into the surrounding environment while safeguarding raw materials from climatic variations. Furthermore, the enclosed system enhances the overall efficiency of material handling and inventory management. Attendees were able to scrutinise these advanced measures, which extend well beyond the standard practices prevalent in the rubber processing industry.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, Buriram Deputy Governor Kriangsak Somjit commended the Group’s adherence to rigorous operational standards, emphasising that industrial progression must be balanced with ecological conservation throughout the entire value chain. In line with this philosophy, Group executives, led by Plant Manager Chokanan Pantong, curated an exhibition detailing The Green Journey. This display traced the company's environmental strategy from the procurement of cup lump rubber and its secure transportation, through to wastewater treatment, real-time energy monitoring and sustainable by-product management.

The programme also featured a technical demonstration of the E-Nose system, an odour monitoring solution that perpetually gathers and analyses air quality data across various factory zones. This technological application allows the organisation to correlate odour levels with specific production activities, thereby facilitating data-driven interventions to pre-empt and reduce environmental impacts. Sri Trang Group reiterated its dedication to operational transparency and sustainable coexistence, affirming that the initiative is instrumental in fostering symbiotic relationships with local communities and governmental agencies.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!