But Christine Zhang, CEO of NAMA Tires, is among ‘that’ 8 percent of women who made their way up the male-dominated industry of automobiles. She talks to TyreTrends about her experiences while blazing her way to the CEO chair of one of the top tyre companies in Southeast Asia.

Zhang joined the tyre industry right after graduating from university. She credits her Thai background for her inclination towards the tyre industry. She said, “We are Thai people. We have tyre blood. I believed it was better not to change to other business as one, it is a great industry, and two, the relationship with customers from different customers had already been set by others. The link was already established.” 

When asked about her secrets to becoming a CEO in this industry, Zhang laughs and describes her hectic schedule of working 14-16 hours a day, travel commitments and other work commitments she must fulfil while playing the part. She believes hard work and dedication is what is required to get to the top, regardless of gender or age. However, in all good conscience, she believes that women are more dedicated and are better at handling huge responsibilities as they are conditioned to do so from a very young age in society. She says that with the right education, they might even bring to the table a lot more than any man. 

Zhang walks the talk as NAMA currently boasts of having a 60 percent women workforce and further encourages more women to enter the company by providing more human care such as flexible work schedules, especially for pregnant and lactating women. 

NAMA Tires was founded in 1999, and during the 90s and early 2000s, the major change experienced by the company was the added production of radial tyres along with that of the bias tyres. With the company entering the Industry 4.0 automation revolution, Zhang believes that people no longer view Chinese products as merely economical products. The Chinese tyre-makers have also begun making intelligent tyres to keep up with trends and have begun gaining a reputation beyond their low-end OEM manufacturing. She further adds that nowadays, many US and China made tyres are made of similar quality raw materials. Even at the equipment level, many Chinese brands have raised their bar to global standards and are doing good globally, she confirms. 

Zhang credits her team and the company’s customers for the 22-year journey the company has led so far. But things have not come easy. Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy charges and trade barriers by the US have caused various bumps along the way. Zhang recollects setting up the production base in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam, three years before the duties were imposed, as one of the wisest decisions for the company. She says that the company is always prepared and will always adhere to the laws of vigilance and regulations. She adds that the Covid-19 period also led to a difficult time as most of the products are sold internationally. NAMA sought online meetings with customers and localisation of employees as an alternative during the difficult period.

The company currently has its production bases in Vietnam and Thailand and is looking to expand its setup to Europe and Cambodia to satisfy the increasing customer demand. Around 60 percent of the company’s products are sold to US wholesale and retail distributors. The remaining 40 percent is distributed among the regions of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The company hopes to receive more sales from its upcoming online retail platform. With the EV mobility trend catching up, the company will be looking into the production of EV specific tyres in the coming years. “We always keep an eye out for the latest technologies in the tyre world and try to implement them as soon as possible. Currently, we have many exclusively designed tyres and other technologically advanced tyres, such as our run-flat tyres that can run 500 kilometres with zero pressure, and a wide range of tyre sizes.” (TT)

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has formally completed the merger of its subsidiary, Cavendish Industries Ltd., into its operations, a strategic move that follows Cavendish's acquisition in 2016. At that time, Cavendish was operating at only 30 percent of its manufacturing capacity for various vehicle tyres. Under JK Tyre's stewardship, the subsidiary received extensive managerial, financial and technical support, which facilitated a complete operational turnaround. Through optimised manufacturing processes, capacity utilisation dramatically increased to 95 percent. Additional expansion at the Laksar facility further bolstered its substantial contribution to the company's overall tyre production.

This consolidation is projected to generate significant value by combining operational strengths, achieving greater economies of scale, and creating a more robust and diversified product portfolio. The unified entity will also benefit from an extensive, integrated distribution network. The merger aligns with JK Tyre's enduring strategy of pursuing sustainable growth through both organic projects and strategic acquisitions. Cavendish’s successful integration represents the company’s third major operational turnaround, following previous revitalisations of Vikrant Tyres and JK Tornel Mexico, alongside the establishment of two Greenfield plants.

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Hankook Tire has further solidified its commitment to sustainable manufacturing with the recent International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS awarded to its Daejeon plant. This globally recognised certification validates the use of bio-based and recycled materials and ensures supply chain transparency, representing the company’s third such achievement following earlier certifications at its Geumsan and Hungary facilities. At the Daejeon site, the substitution of fossil-based synthetic rubber with bio-circular polymers has substantially lowered the environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle.

This milestone reinforces Hankook Tire’s comprehensive ESG strategy, which now encompasses original equipment, replacement and motorsport tyre production. A notable example is the supply of high-performance rally tyres, incorporating up to 31 percent sustainable materials, for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship. The company’s sustainable innovation is also evident in products like the iON evo tyre for the Porsche Taycan, which uses 45 percent recycled and recyclable materials without compromising performance. Similarly, the iON GT replacement tyre for the European market integrates up to 77 percent certified materials and has earned top EU Tyre Label ratings.

Beyond product development, Hankook Tire is pioneering future mobility solutions, showcased by a concept tyre with 81 percent sustainable materials presented at IAA Mobility 2025. In electric motorsport, as the exclusive tyre supplier for Formula E, the company has earned the FIA’s highest environmental accreditation and is set to introduce the iON Race tyre containing 35 percent sustainable materials.

To accelerate these efforts, Hankook Tire is pursuing open innovation through collaborations with technology partners such as ROTOBOOST and Solvay, focusing on advanced materials like turquoise hydrogen-based carbon black and circular silica. The company is also engaged in national research consortia to validate carbon-reduction technologies and enhance the commercial readiness of sustainable alternatives, consistently aiming to merge high performance with ecological responsibility across its global operations.

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Bridgestone India has reconstructed and revitalised the government school in Kuti village, near the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Madhya Pradesh, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The project directly serves a marginalised community of tribal groups and migrant labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Previously, the school operated in a perilous and crumbling structure, lacking even basic facilities for its 175 students, despite the steadfast efforts of three teachers. The new, purpose-built campus now provides structurally safe and vibrant classrooms, dedicated child-friendly spaces and access to essential amenities.

This transformation is set to dramatically improve student enrolment and daily attendance by replacing a hazardous environment with one that is secure and conducive to learning. More than just infrastructure, the initiative instils a renewed sense of dignity and aspiration in both students and their families, who work primarily as daily-wage labourers, vegetable vendors and construction workers.

Executed in collaboration with the district administration and education department, this effort reflects Bridgestone India’s core mission of driving long-term social impact through strategic community partnerships. By focusing on critical gaps in educational infrastructure for displaced and underserved populations, the company fosters an environment where children can truly thrive and communities can build a more hopeful future.

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Marking a significant milestone, the Nokian Tyres facility in Oradea, Romania, produced its one millionth tyre of the year on 20 December 2025, thereby reaching its annual production target. This new factory, inaugurated in September 2024, began deliveries in March and is dedicated to supplying passenger car tyres for the European market.

Its inaugural year saw the production of premium models like the Nokian Tyres Snowproof 2 winter tyre, upholding the company’s 90-year legacy of safety and sustainability. The product range expanded this year with the launch of two further tyres for Europe: the Seasonproof 2 all-season and the Powerproof 2 summer tyre, with more new products planned for future manufacture at the site.

Distinguished as the world’s first full-scale zero-CO2-emissions tyre factory, the Oradea plant operates entirely without fossil fuels, employing cutting-edge production technology. Upon its anticipated completion around the end of 2027, it will become Nokian Tyres’ largest global production facility, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total capacity. It represents the company’s third major manufacturing hub alongside its existing factories in Nokia, Finland, and Dayton, US. Currently, the Romanian operation employs over 500 people, underscoring its important role in Nokian Tyres’ strategic European production network.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am very proud of our entire team for their hard work in reaching this milestone. It is a strong testament to our commitment to customers across Europe, enhancing our service level and delivering innovative products that ensure safety and comfort for drivers in all conditions.”

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