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)

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In a significant move to bolster its international profile, Linglong Tire has entered a global partnership with Chicago Bulls, the iconic NBA team. This alliance represents a strategic advancement in the company's global sports marketing, building upon previous high-profile sponsorships with Chelsea FC and Real Madrid. The primary objective is to substantially enhance brand recognition for its product lines, including Green Max, Atlas and Evoluxx, across the crucial North American market, with promotional activities also extending into Europe.

This marketing initiative is strategically aligned with the company's operational expansion, notably a new manufacturing facility under construction in Brazil, which is expected to optimise supply chains and support a drive for increased market share in the Americas. The collaboration has been designed to create meaningful fan engagement through co-developed activation strategies. These will include immersive experiences such as joint basketball camps and interactive tours, aiming to forge a powerful connection with a global community passionate about basketball and high-quality, innovative tyres.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed a continued partnership that will see its US subsidiary, Yokohama Tire Corporation, provide ADVAN racing tyres for three Porsche one-make racing series in 2026. This multi-series agreement includes the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, the Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama and the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America. All three are sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC) and function as key developmental categories within the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, featuring race-prepared vehicles such as the 911 GT3 Cup and the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

The upcoming 2026 season represents a significant milestone, marking the sixth consecutive year Yokohama has been the control tyre supplier for the North America and USA West series and the third straight year for the Endurance Challenge. The company will support the competitors with its ADVAN A005 for dry tracks and the ADVAN A006 for wet weather conditions across a combined schedule of numerous events. This ongoing involvement is a strategic initiative designed to bolster the profile and recognition of the ADVAN brand throughout the important North American market.

This commitment to one-make racing extends beyond the Porsche family. Yokohama Rubber is also the official control tyre supplier for the recently launched Mustang Cup, reinforcing its active role and investment in North American motorsport. Through these high-profile partnerships, Yokohama aims to enhance brand power by associating its ADVAN products with some of the most exciting and competitive racing series on the continent.

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Continental has demonstrated its role as a key partner for sustainable fleet management through its collaboration with Italian transport company Adami Trasporti. Since 2023, Continental has supplied its Conti Hybrid series tyres – Conti Hybrid HS5, Conti Hybrid HD5 and Conti Hybrid HT3 – to Adami's fleet, leading to significant reductions in the company's total operating costs and a marked improvement in its environmental performance. This partnership underscores how strategic tyre selection is central to modern logistics.

For Adami Trasporti, a family-owned business specialising in food transport for over four generations, operational integrity is paramount. The company operates a fleet of 200 modern tanks and tank containers for sensitive liquid goods like fruit juice, wine and cooking oil, requiring adherence to the highest hygiene standards and strict EU environmental regulations. To meet these demands, the Verona-based firm, with additional locations in Italy, Slovakia and Germany, invests heavily in technological innovations, from real-time data monitoring to modern vehicles designed for minimal emissions.

Within this comprehensive sustainability strategy, the choice of tyres has proven to be a critical factor. While tyres themselves account for a small fraction of direct operating costs, their influence on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can affect up to 31 percent of a fleet's total costs. Continental is actively informing the logistics industry that a shift in focus from mere tyre mileage to rolling resistance is essential. Tyres with optimised rolling resistance, such as the Conti Hybrid models, serve as a direct lever for saving fuel, lowering costs and reducing a fleet's carbon footprint.

This aligns perfectly with Adami Trasporti’s concrete goals for greater sustainability. The company complements its use of Continental’s tyres with other forward-thinking initiatives, most notably the integration of LNG-powered vehicles that cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 70 percent. Through this multi-pronged approach, in which Continental’s tyre technology plays a fundamental role, Adami Trasporti positions itself as an industry pioneer. Together, the companies are actively contributing to lower CO2 emissions across the European transport sector.

Stefano Adami, owner at Adami Trasporti, said, “With the rolling resistance-optimised tyres, we are reducing our CO2 emissions, saving fuel and benefiting from high mileage at the same time. The fuel savings of one and a half to two percent are crucial for us, as consumption has a direct impact on our operating costs. The service and support offerings increase operational reliability of our vehicles and enable us to offer consistent and punctual services throughout Europe.”

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Metso has introduced its largest split geared ring model, the SCDH4500, a significant innovation designed to transform thickener maintenance in the mining sector. This new model directly confronts the difficulties of traditional full slew bearing replacements through its advanced two-piece split design.

By enabling installation to be completed up to 50 percent faster and minimising the extent of system disassembly required, the solution substantially reduces operational downtime. Furthermore, it enhances worksite safety by removing the necessity for large cranes and the associated risks of suspended loads. The resulting benefits for customers include considerable cost savings from lower labour and equipment hire expenses, as well as a reduction in lost production.

This product launch is a key component of Metso's wider strategy to enhance its thickener portfolio and bolster its aftermarket services. The SCDH4500 is engineered for seamless integration with existing SCD drive geometries, ensuring compatibility and dependable performance in even the most demanding applications. The company’s comprehensive thickening and clarifying portfolio is built on advanced engineering and a focus on sustainable outcomes, which support improved water recovery, lower chemical usage and safer operations.

Andrew McIntosh, Product Director, Thickening Services, Metso, said, “The innovative two-piece split design allows faster installation without requiring extensive system disassembly. This not only minimises operational disruptions but also enhances safety by eliminating the need for large cranes and suspended loads. Additionally, the SCDH4500 seamlessly integrates with existing SCD drive geometries, ensuring reliability in high-torque applications.”

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