It was only many years later that we learnt about the atrocities and the inhuman ways the natives of the Amazon Valley were subjected to by the white barons to develop exporting of natural rubber to Europe to provide the main raw material for the automotive tyre industry which was gradually evolving in to a flourishing industry. The inventing of synthetic rubber in the late 1940s and the development of SBR due to the short supply of natural rubber from the colonies in the East to cater for the growing demand for tyres used in the military vehicles during the Second World War and the Korean War is another episode of beyond the border commercial endeavours.
Although the word ‘globalisation’ was coined by Theodore Levitt in 1983 through an article ‘Globalisation of Markets’ which appeared in the Harvard Business Review (May-June 1983), I feel that we should go way back in the annals of history to get an understanding of the term. This knowledge may not look attractive to the modern business world. Nevertheless, the sociologists and others of similar disciplines will certainly find such knowledge useful in comprehending the modern day socio-economic woes.
Origins of globalisation may possibly be traced back to early human migrations, presumably from the Olduvai George Gorge, a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of human ancestors. Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another, particularly different countries, with the intent of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. It typically involves movement over long distances. The driving motive, namely seeking dominance over fellow men and exploiting the natural environment to achieve success, does not seem to have changed over the millions of years.
The emergence of the great civilisations, e.g. Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and their subsequent decline can be attributed to globalisation. Similarly, the invasions and cross-border military conquests of historical fame (or notoriety) such as that of Alexander the Great and colonisation by the West for the exploitation of natural wealth in Asia, Africa and South America reveals an ugly facet of globalisation.
The Silk Route interlinking East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe, on the other hand, was central to the economic, political, cultural and religious interactions between these regions form 2nd century BCE to the 18th century.
The industrialisation and expansion of business and commerce across countries during the past 300-plus years was fuelled by the four industrial revolutions, or waves as some prefer to identify them, namely steam power, conveyor system, computers and digitalisation. The process is continuing to the unforeseeable future with new knowledge and innovations fuelling the globalisation.
The multifaceted nature of globalisation has commonly been identified into eight types as shown below:
• Political Globalisation
• Social Globalisation
• Economic Globalisation
• Technological Globalisation
• Financial Globalisation
• Cultural Globalisation
• Economic Globalisation
• Geographical Globalisation
My intention is not to delve in to a discussion about the pros and cons of globalisation, which has been comprehensively documented, but to highlight on some key aspects from this part of the world, especially of the Asian subcontinent.
Knowledge dissemination across border, in my view, is the single most important factor associated with globalisation. This appears common to all the above types of globalisation. The dissemination of the Buddhist doctrine by the great Emperor Asoka to countries spreading from the far East to the Central Asia and Middle East including the present Sri Lanka during 3rd century BCE is one of the earliest recorded instances of globalisation.
Countries with long histories going back to 3,000 to 4,000-plus years, such as India, China and Sri Lanka, possessed a vast knowledge base ingrained in the social consciousness. This appears to have significantly influenced the philosophical and intellectual thought of the Greek and Persian periods. Unfortunately, a major part of this knowledge has been eroded through the influence of the West, which started around the 16th century. One good example of this knowledge found in the ancient irrigation knowledge of Sri Lanka is the engineering marvel of a gradient of 1 inch per mile in an ancient canal about 87 km long, built to connect two man-made reservoirs in the 5th century AD. Similarly, India and Sri Lanka possessed a vast indigenous knowledge base in medicine, astrology, architecture, agriculture, irrigation and astrology, and it is somewhat unfortunate that this knowledge has not been adequately globalised. The only significant inroads are seen in tourism. But that too are based on the western norms.
On the other hand, we have acquired a vast knowledge from the industrialised countries on modern management thoughts and technologies which have enabled industrialisation and improvement in living conditions of the populace. In this era of interdependency, a country cannot afford to ignore the technologies which are necessary to maintain a suitable level of competitiveness internationally. However, if this is accomplished at the expense of ignoring the inherent social and cultural foundations, the long-term adverse consequences would be disastrous and unimaginable.
The adverse long-term consequences of the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and the global addiction to pharmaceuticals are already seen physically and socially in practically all the countries, especially the so called underdeveloped or developing countries.
The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the irreversible effects of global warming are two examples of globalisation which are affecting the mere sustenance of mankind.
A country can immensely benefit by striving for stars through adopting modern technologies. However, the absolute importance of a strong base cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Back to a strong base and reinforcing the base lies at the core of sustainable development.
The words of Mahatma Gandhi echoing from the past reaffirm this plain truth in no uncertain terms.
“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”
“What's past is prologue," a quote from William Shakespeare's ‘The Tempest’ presumes that though history is written, the future is anyone's to decide – with the knowledge gleaned from the past. (TT)
wdk Initiative Champions Conveyor Belts As Economic, Environmental Backbone
- By TT News
- November 22, 2025
A new industry initiative is highlighting the indispensable role of advanced conveyor belts, positioning them as a critical yet often overlooked technology underpinning the global economy. The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), through its campaign ‘Rubber – We save the world!’, is emphasising the sophisticated engineering of these systems.
According to Volker Krings, Chief Chemist of the association in Frankfurt am Main, these belts function as a combined pathway and container, a duality made possible only through the complex integration of rubber, thermoplastics and plastics, reinforced with steel cables or textile fabrics. This core structure is supported by a system of rubber-coated rollers, drums and scrapers.
While the public most commonly encounters these systems at airport luggage carousels or supermarket checkouts, their most significant applications operate largely out of sight, pointed out Krings. They are the backbone of logistics in parcel sorting centres and are deployed on a massive scale in the mining and raw materials sectors. In these industries, extensive conveyor networks transport immense volumes of ore, coal and gravel over vast distances, both underground and on the surface. Their utility further extends to agriculture, food processing and automotive manufacturing.
The environmental and economic argument for these systems is compelling. Conveyor belts represent the most cost-effective method for moving large quantities of bulk goods. By assuming this burden, they significantly reduce the volume of heavy truck and rail traffic, leading to direct benefits for road infrastructure and the environment. The German production of these belts is a high-tech field, where ongoing optimisation of rubber compounds and belt architecture continues to drive down the energy consumption of the entire conveyor system.
Apollo Tyres' Chennai Plant Wins First Prize In National Water Awards
- By TT News
- November 22, 2025
In recognition of its industry-leading water conservation efforts, Apollo Tyres’ Chennai facility has been honoured with the first prize in the National Water Awards (for 2024) within the Best Industry category. The President of India presented the award to the plant’s Head of Engineering, Mushtaq Mohammad Khan, at a formal ceremony.
The company attributes this success to its comprehensive 7R Strategy – encompassing Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replace, Rethink, Refuse and Regenerate – and the 3M Principles of Measure, Monitor and Manage. This framework facilitated a notable 38 percent decrease in Specific Fresh Water Consumption from the 2022 to 2026 financial years. The national award is viewed as a direct affirmation of the company's strategic commitment to sustainable water stewardship and its long-term vision for responsible manufacturing.
This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the company's environmental processes and the dedication of its teams. Apollo Tyres has expressed its intention to continue pursuing advanced sustainability initiatives to ensure future water security.
Point S Launches First Own-Branded Truck Tyre Range At Solutrans
- By TT News
- November 21, 2025
In a significant strategic expansion, Point S, one of the world’s largest independent tyre and automotive service networks, has introduced its first proprietary line of truck tyres. The official launch occurred at the Solutrans exhibition in Lyon, representing a major advancement in the company's deep involvement with the commercial vehicle industry. Already a well-established force in the truck tyre markets of Europe and North America, Point S is leveraging its expertise to introduce the Point S Tyres Truck range. This initiative is seen as a disruptive move in the international sector, extending the group's reputation for quality and its independent ethos to a wider base of transport professionals.
The comprehensive range consists of eight key sizes, all certified with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, guaranteeing reliable winter performance and year-round usability. Two notable products within the line are the Mixed Service tyre, designed for extreme conditions with optimised durability and stone penetration resistance, and the Regional Haul tyre, noted for its versatility, robustness and full 3PMSF certification across all sizes. Production for these tyres will be handled by a premium truck and bus radial manufacturer based in Poland and Turkey. A key logistical benefit for Point S members is the ability to combine orders from both production facilities into a single shipment, enhancing ordering flexibility and overall supply chain efficiency.
This new private label range is engineered to provide long-lasting value for independent retailers, featuring high-performance solutions that are both regroovable and retreadable. By moving into the truck tyre segment, Point S now offers its global network of members a complete portfolio that previously included only passenger and premium tyres. This empowers members to more effectively and competitively serve fleet operators and other clients with a compelling price-to-performance ratio.
Fabien Bouquet, CEO, Point S International, said, “This launch represents a key step in our journey to support our members and their customers with complete mobility solutions. Transport professionals need tyres that deliver performance, durability and value, which is exactly what this range delivers. It also marks an important milestone in our long-term strategy to strengthen our position in the commercial vehicle sector and to bring more innovation, choice and independence to the truck tyre market.”
Emilie Faure, International Private Labels Product Manager, said, “From the outset, our goal has always been to replicate the strategy and success of our Point S Tyres passenger car range by extending it to the commercial vehicle market with the launch of Point S Tyres Truck. To support this development, we involved selected Point S members and some of our small and medium-sized fleet clients from various countries to test the product. Initial feedback has been extremely positive, with testers particularly impressed with the range’s performing, as well as its quality and competitiveness in real-world operations.”
Tyres Europe Reports Year-on-Year Decline In European Replacement Tyre Sales
- By TT News
- November 21, 2025
According to Tyres Europe's sales data for the Q3 and the first three quarters of 2025, the overall tyre market has demonstrated general stability. Adam McCarthy, the organisation's Secretary General, reported that despite this, demand for Truck and Bus tyres has remained persistently weak. Cumulative figures for the year so far indicate that total tyre volumes are lower than those recorded during the same period in 2024.
Within the Consumer segment, third-quarter sales were stable, yet they reflect a slight decrease for the year to date. A notable trend is the shifting consumer preference away from summer tyres and towards all-season and winter products. The Truck and Bus segment experienced a continued decline, with the year's sales also down slightly, a situation attributed to regional economic softness and a rise in tyre imports. Meanwhile, the Agricultural tyre market saw stable volumes in the quarter, though they remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
The full Quarterly Update, prepared by Astutus Research, is available for download on the Tyres Europe website.
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