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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Magna Tyres Group has unveiled a revamped Dealer Portal, now accessible to customers across the globe. The enhanced platform consolidates products, information and essential sales and marketing tools into a single online environment, designed to simplify dealers' daily business operations.

Access has been simplified, with the portal login now positioned directly on the company's homepage. This provides quick and straightforward entry to the platform. The renewed portal offers Magna Tyres' extensive product range alongside a broad selection of dealer resources.

These resources include comprehensive product details, technical information and documentation, marketing materials available to order and useful downloads and sales support tools. Initially, stock availability will be visible only to customers supplied directly by Magna Tyres' headquarters. The portal is expected to evolve further, with expanded functionality and accessibility planned over time.

By centralising these tools, Magna Tyres seeks to give customers faster access to relevant information and make ordering and sales as efficient as possible. The initiative reflects the group's ongoing commitment to strengthening customer service and supporting its dealer network with practical, accessible and effective resources.

Arno van der Linden, Sales Director, said, “With the enhanced Dealer Portal, we want to make it easier for our customers to do business with Magna Tyres. Dealers can now find our extensive product portfolio, technical information, marketing support and other important resources in one place.”

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The Indian tyre major adds 22-inch SUV tyres, new truck and bus sizes and racing motorcycle tyres to its second factory

CEAT has expanded manufacturing at its Chennai plant to produce more premium tyres for India, Europe and North America, the Indian tyremaker.

The expansion covers passenger car and sports utility vehicle (SUV), commercial vehicle and two-wheeler tyres.

CEAT said it had developed the capability to make the SportDrive SUV ZR22, making it the first Indian tyre company to produce 22-inch tyres in India. The range, aimed at large-rim, ultra-premium SUVs, uses CEAT CALM technology and is being introduced for sale in India.

The plant also makes the 4SeasonDrive+, an all-season tyre to European standards, designed for changing weather with a focus on wet grip. Another product, the CrossDrive RT, is a rugged-terrain tyre developed for the US off-road market. CEAT said it also suits regular road use and widens its premium SUV range in India.

Arnab Banerjee, managing director and chief executive, said: "The Chennai plant is an important part of CEAT's growth in India and international markets. The expanded capabilities allow us to manufacture increasingly sophisticated products across passenger vehicles, two wheelers and commercial vehicles, while responding to the distinct requirements of customers in markets such as Europe and North America. This investment strengthens our ability to compete in premium segments with products developed and manufactured in India."

Truck and bus tyres

The plant can now make seven advanced truck and bus radial (TBR) sizes for some of the fastest-growing premium segments in Europe and North America. CEAT said fleets now want lower fuel consumption, better ride comfort and handling, and readiness for electric vehicles, as well as durability and mileage.

The company said its new wide-base tyres can replace the traditional two-tyre arrangement on each wheel. That makes vehicles lighter, improves fuel efficiency and frees capacity to carry more load. The low-profile sizes are aimed at modern tractors, regional haulage, trailers and urban distribution fleets.

The plant is also scaling up production of light truck steel radial tyres in 15-inch, 16-inch and 17.5-inch sizes. CEAT said demand is rising in India and overseas as manufacturers introduce new light trucks and buses.

Two-wheeler range

In motorcycles, CEAT's SportRad Racing Slick range has been developed for racing and tested on demanding tracks by expert riders. The SportRad ST is a sport-touring range for motorcycles above 650cc, designed for long-distance riding, high-speed stability and cornering grip.

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Nova Motorsport has secured a multi-year agreement to become the Official Tyre Partner of the PartsForCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship (IRX). The deal, struck with championship promoter Mondello Park, also brings in leading Irish motorsport supplier Euro M-Sport as a third partner. Under the arrangement, Nova Motorsport will serve as the exclusive tyre supplier to three headline classes from Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2026/27 season onward.

The affected categories are Supercar, Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car. Euro M-Sport will be present at every IRX event to supply and fit Nova Motorsport tyres for all competitors in these classes, ensuring consistent product availability and expert trackside assistance throughout the campaign. The collaboration links Ireland’s foremost rallycross promoter with a tyre brand whose lineage is deeply rooted in the discipline.

Nova Motorsport manufactures the former Avon Motorsport range under licence and owns the assets and intellectual property previously employed to produce Cooper Tires competition products. This gives the brand direct continuity with tyres that have long dominated rallycross, from national events to the FIA World Rallycross Championship. In the Supercar class, IRX competitors will use the Nova ACB11 in 225/640-17 fitment, with the Nova RALLYCROSS WET 210/635R17 available for wet conditions.

The ACB11 stands as the most successful rallycross tyre ever produced, with 10 FIA World Rallycross Championship titles, over 20 consecutive European crowns and numerous national honours. Relaunched in 2024, it is manufactured in Portugal using the original moulds, compound and construction, allowing IRX drivers to race on the same specification that has defined the sport’s elite level. Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car will run the all-new Nova ZZXC, revealed in August 2026 and developed specifically for Cross Car competition.

The ZZXC is Nova Motorsport’s first clean-sheet design. Its asymmetric rear tread fits either side of the car, reducing spare requirements, while a larger-block outer shoulder boosts durability and a more open inner pattern generates traction. Tyre pressure adjustments alter the rear profile for dry, wet or muddy conditions. Benchmark testing with three-time FIA European Cross Car Champion David Méat confirmed strong start-line traction, lateral grip and durability. The partnership also includes branding on every car in the exclusive categories, winner’s caps, Mondello Park signage, digital promotion and website features.

Roddy Greene, Managing Director, Mondello Park, said, “We are excited to have Nova Motorsport as our Tyre Partner as we enter a new era in the promotion of the Irish Rallycross Championship. Although Nova Motorsport is a relatively new company, it comes with a huge heritage, particularly in rallycross. Rallycross demands specialist tyres, so bringing on board a company as synonymous with rallycross as Nova Motorsport was an easy decision. We look forward to working with Nova as we continue to promote rallycross within Irish Motorsport.”

Matthew Vincent, Senior Product Category Manager, Nova Motorsport, said, “Nova Motorsport is proud to become Official Tyre Partner of the Irish Rallycross Championship. Irish rallycross has a long history and a passionate following, and under Mondello Park’s promotion, the IRX is a championship with real momentum. This agreement reinforces our commitment to rallycross at every level of the sport and gives us the ideal platform to bring both the ACB11 and the all-new ZZXC to a new group of competitors. The ACB11 needs little introduction. It is the most successful rallycross tyre ever made, and IRX Supercar drivers will race on exactly the construction and compound that has won world championships. The ZZXC is the first product we have created from a clean sheet, developed specifically for Cross Car, so it is fitting that the Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car classes will be among the first to compete on it. With Euro M-Sport delivering trackside supply and fitting at every round, competitors can be confident of consistent product and the highest level of support throughout the season.”

Mick McCullagh, Director, Euro M-Sport, said, “Rallycross, with the help of Mondello Park, has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the most exciting spectacles in Irish Motorsport. Euro M-Sport has a growing professional track record across multi-discipline motorsports, such as BSB, WEC, Motorsport Ireland Stages Events and contractual work with OEM Manufacturers. We are now delighted to partner with Nova Motorsport and the IRX to provide a world-class tyre and fitting service and help continue the growth of Rallycross in Ireland.”

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Hankook Tire has been named a Finalist in two categories at the 2026 International Design Excellence Awards, presented by the Industrial Designers Society of America. The IDEA programme ranks among the world’s three leading design honours, alongside Germany’s Red Dot and iF awards, with entrants judged across more than 20 categories on factors such as innovation, user experience and social responsibility.

One finalist entry came in the Social Impact Design category for re:move, an upcycling initiative that converts tyre-curing bladders into new resources. Developed with Seoul National University’s DISCO Lab, the Bladder Upcycling Series includes furniture, bricks and lifestyle products, while a Kinetic Wall built from those bricks expresses the company’s sustainability vision. The project has now collected four major international design honours this year, adding the IDEA recognition to a Red Dot Winner title, an A’ Design Gold award and a Green Good Design award.

The second finalist placement, in Concepts and Speculative Design, went to WheelBot2, a modular robotic wheel system. Using built-in and crab-walk drive motors, it achieves three-axis movement and full 360-degree omnidirectional motion, allowing precise control in tight spaces and along complicated routes. Judges praised the concept for expanding mobility possibilities in an era of smart cities and autonomous driving.

Hankook Tire’s latest showing follows success across all three of the world’s top design competitions, underscoring its global design credentials. The company has continued to sharpen that competitiveness by pushing innovation further into future mobility and sustainable design while reinforcing the premium positioning of its unified global brand, Hankook.

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