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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Kumho Tire USA has kicked off the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship season with a strong statement, as their driver Jack Shanahan secured third place in the opening round. Competing on Kumho’s Ecsta V730 tyres, Shanahan piloted an E82 BMW that was assembled in only 16 days. His podium finish demonstrated remarkable skill and precision throughout each battle, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.

After earning second place in qualifying, Shanahan moved confidently through the main competition, defeating Rudy Hansen, Jeff Jones and Aurimas Bakchis in successive rounds. However, when engine troubles arose during his Top Four matchup against Fredric Aasbo, Shanahan made the difficult but honourable decision to withdraw rather than risk spilling oil onto the track. This unfortunate mechanical failure also denied spectators the potential excitement of a final round showdown between Jack and his brother.

Shanahan first joined the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship in 2025, quickly establishing himself as a serious competitor. His rookie season was exceptional, as he finished sixth overall and earned Rookie of the Year honours while supported by Kumho tyres. Now in 2026, he aims to build on that momentum with clear goals of reaching more podiums and contending for the championship, steadily proving himself among the world’s elite drifters.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "We are absolutely thrilled with Jack Shanahan's impressive performance on the Streets of Long Beach, where he put our Ecsta V730 tyres to the ultimate test at the highest level of competitive drifting. His podium finish is a powerful testament to the exceptional performance and unwavering reliability of KUMHO tyres, and we are excited to have him as a returning driver for the 2026 season."

Shanahan said, "After building an all-new car for Formula DRIFT in just 16 days, we are incredibly grateful to have secured third place in round one, and KUMHO was a huge part of our success. I had every confidence in the KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres and they performed flawlessly – providing the grip and consistency we needed for every battle on a highly technical and challenging course."

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Pirelli enters the 2026 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) season as the defending Tyres Manufacturer champion, with the opening round taking place from 17 to 19 April on the demanding asphalt roads of Rally Sierra Morena in Andalusia. A total of 62 crews will gather for the event, and more than 30 of them are expected to fight for the initial points of the European title race. The challenging route features 203.80 timed kilometres spread across 13 special stages, setting the scene for a competitive weekend.

To equip its teams for this gruelling asphalt challenge, Pirelli has prepared a selection of tyres from the P Zero range, specifically the hard RA5C and soft RA7+ compounds for dry conditions, complemented by the Cinturato RWD for wet weather. Among the leading contenders using Pirelli tyres are Andrea Mabellini, who secured third place in the overall championship last year and will drive a Lancia Y HF, along with reigning Italian champion Giandomenico Basso and Teemu Suninen, both piloting a Skoda Fabia RS.

Beyond the main European championship entries, Pirelli also serves as the sole supplier and technical partner for the M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, now in its third season. This initiative has attracted 11 crews to Rally Sierra Morena, further highlighting Pirelli’s broad involvement in the event. The tyre allocation rules specify that drivers in RC2, RC3 and RGT categories receive 16 tyres, while those in RC4, RC5 and RC6 are allocated 12.

For crews taking part in Qualifying, the tyres used during that session count towards the overall allocation. However, tyres used during Free Practice and the Shakedown are not included in the total. With a strong field and Pirelli’s comprehensive technical support, the 2026 season opener promises intense competition on the Andalusian stages.

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Titan International has broadened its Black Rock branded Styled Wheels collection by launching a new range of aluminium wheels aimed at truck, SUV and Jeep enthusiasts who prioritise function and purpose-driven design. This expansion strengthens Titan’s dedication to products that blend toughness, adaptable fitment and striking modern aesthetics. It also supports the company’s ongoing expansion within specialty and off-road vehicle segments.

Engineered for genuine on- and off-road use, these new wheels cater to drivers with an outdoor lifestyle who refuse to compromise between high level performance and cutting edge looks. The Black Rock aluminium lineup includes multiple series and comes in a variety of finishes such as Gloss Black, Satin Black, Bronze and Gloss Silver Full Mach. These finishes offer a balance of classic and contemporary styling.

Available diameters include 17, 18 and 20 inches, covering popular bolt patterns, offsets and backspacing configurations for today’s most common trucks, SUVs and Jeeps. Designed as a function forward wheel solution, the Black Rock aluminium wheels provide the rugged styling and fitment options off road enthusiasts demand, all while maintaining uncompromised quality and performance.

Ryan Fuller, Styled Wheels & High-Speed Trailer Product Manager at Titan, said, “Customers want wheels that look great, fit right and hold up to real use. This launch expands the Black Rock aluminium offering with fresh styles and finishes while staying true to what the brand is known for: purpose-inspired designs.”

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has officially extended its exclusive tyre supplier and technical partnership with Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR) for the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). This renewed agreement will remain in force until the year 2031, continuing a collaboration that dates back to the very first season of the championship in 1996.

For nearly three decades, DUNLOP has worked alongside TWMR as the designated official tyre partner, helping to shape what is now Asia’s premier road racing series. Their joint efforts have consistently focused on delivering fair competition and world-class technical standards, ensuring that the championship remains a benchmark for motorcycle racing in the region.

Under the renewed contract, DUNLOP will supply high-performance racing tyres across all classes and provide comprehensive on-site technical support at every circuit. This long-term commitment reflects the deep trust between both organisations and their shared ambition to advance motorsports throughout Asia.

Ron Hogg, Promotion Director, TWMR, said, “I am delighted that we will be able to continue our partnership with DUNLOP through 2031. A collaboration spanning 30 years is a truly rare milestone and a testament to the unwavering passion both companies share for the development of motorsports in Asia. We are extremely proud of the strong relationship we have built over the years. As the championship continues to grow, we look forward to achieving even greater success together with DUNLOP for the future of motorsports in Asia.”

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