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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Ainscough Crane Hire, UK’s largest crane hire business, has significantly deepened its collaboration with Michelin by placing its entire tyre management operation in the hands of Michelin’s Connected Solutions (CXS) division. What began in 2023 as an arrangement focused on the company’s truck tyres has now evolved into a comprehensive, long-term partnership covering the full spectrum of the operator’s fleet.

Operating from 30 sites nationwide, the agreement encompasses more than 350 Liebherr cranes, a substantial number of which are 16-wheelers, alongside 135 trucks and trailers and 199 support vans. Included within this are 40 Scania heavy goods vehicles dedicated to heavy haulage. CXS now coordinates the supply of roughly 1,000 tyres annually through a national network while also providing detailed sustainability reporting to support Ainscough’s environmental goals.

The extension of the partnership was reinforced by a successful benchmarking trial, which demonstrated that Michelin’s X Multi truck tyres delivered three times the lifespan of a leading competitor. These fitments now equip the majority of the haulage fleet. Michelin is also introducing its advanced X Crane 2 tyres across the heavy crane fleet as existing rubber is replaced. These tyres offer a new tread pattern for enhanced grip and braking, alongside a higher load capacity that permits an additional 800 kilogrammes per tyre at highway speeds. Certified testing also shows they are more than 13 percent more fuel-efficient than their main premium rival due to reduced rolling resistance.

Sustainability remains central to the arrangement. Ainsworth makes full use of Michelin’s multi-life tyre policy for its trucks and ballast trailers. Casings are regrooved once tread depth diminishes, then later retreaded at Michelin’s Remix facility in Stoke, with the option for further regrooving. The company’s Mercedes-Benz service vans are fitted with the adaptable Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tyre.

Supporting this comprehensive operation is Fraser Greer, Key Account Manager at CXS. Ainscough Crane Hire continues to serve a wide array of sectors including infrastructure, defence, energy and telecommunications, cementing its role as a key contributor to the UK’s built environment.

Chris Britton, Head of Operations Support, Ainscough Crane Hire, said, “Michelin has become our latest highly valued strategic supplier relationship. Being the number one operator in our field, we only go with trusted and number one brands as our suppliers. The fuel savings of GBP 130 per 10,000 km will save us GBP 100,000s across the lifetime of the machines and reduce their environmental impact. Likewise, the increased load factor of the fitments and the 20 percent improvement in braking distances really impressed us. It means safety margins will increase, and safety is at the heart of everything we do.

“As a business we aren’t looking for the cheapest deal, but the best value. We are receiving a world class service from Michelin. It has streamlined procurement and helped us forecast tyre costs better; it has delivered the right products in the right place ensuring maximum uptime for our cranes; we have a ‘best way of working’ when it comes to protocols and tyres being fitted at our sites; and we have full traceability of each tyre and an insight into its environmental impact.”

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The Australian Grand Prix delivered a thrilling season opener, with Pirelli’s tyre compounds playing a central role in the strategic narratives that unfolded. George Russell claimed victory for Mercedes, leading home rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli in a one-two finish. Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, completing a podium that showcased a mix of experienced talent and fresh faces.

The race began with immediate drama as the latest generation of Formula 1 machinery hit the track. Early interruptions prompted by several brief Virtual Safety Car periods led Mercedes to bring its drivers into the pits sooner than perhaps anticipated. Both Russell and Antonelli switched from the medium to the hard compound, committing to a successful one-stop strategy that ultimately paid dividends. Overtaking was plentiful throughout the field, contributing to a highly entertaining spectacle. However, the home crowd was left disappointed as local hero Oscar Piastri failed to even start the race. His McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, managed a fifth-place finish after adopting a two-stop approach, while four-time champion Max Verstappen, who started from the very back of the grid, fought through to sixth place using the same two-stop tactic.

Despite the varied strategies, the top four finishers all committed to a solitary pit stop. While the Mercedes pair and Leclerc celebrated on the podium, Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in fourth for Ferrari, just missing out on a top-three finish. His result, combined with Leclerc’s podium, places the Scuderia second in the early Constructors' Championship standings. The event was blessed with warm and sunny conditions, with temperatures remaining stable around 26 degrees. The paddock now quickly shifts focus to the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.

In the Formula 2 curtain-raiser, Nikola Tsolov made history by becoming the first Bulgarian winner in the category's history. Driving for Campos Racing, he led home Rafael Câmara and Laurens van Hoepen. The race was marred for Rodin Motorsport as teammates Martinius Stenshorne and Alex Dunne collided, ending their afternoon. All three podium finishers employed an identical pit strategy, pitting on lap nine to exchange their starting Supersoft tyres for the Soft compound, a move that propelled Tsolov to the top of the drivers' standings.

Campos Racing extended its winning ways into Formula 3, where Ugo Ugochukwu took the chequered flag. Freddie Slater finished second, placing him second in the championship behind Ugochukwu, while Taito Kato completed the podium in Melbourne after benefiting from post-race time penalties applied to two rivals.

Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director, said, “As we expected yesterday, the first Grand Prix of the season was won with a one-stop strategy. The Mercedes drivers crossed the finish line in the same positions in which they started on the grid, adopting an identical strategy. The final stint on the hard tyres could be extended compared to Saturday's forecasts thanks to limited degradation, which allowed the drivers to complete the race with the same set they had during the VSC. Those who opted for two stops took advantage of the neutralisations to change fresh tyres without risking losing too many positions, in some cases even using the Softs for a final sprint.

“All three compounds therefore proved useful during the race, with the C3 capable of supporting stints of up to 46 laps thanks to its consistency. The left front was the tyre most affected by graining, though without causing excessive wear or degradation issues. We are, however, at the beginning of a new technical cycle and on a track that is not particularly demanding on tyres. With the development of the cars and the arrival of more challenging circuits, we expect inevitable changes in tyre management. Tyres remain one of the many variables teams will have to consider among the numerous innovations of this season.”

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Comerio Ercole has concluded a successful participation in the Tire Technology Expo 2026, a premier international event for the tyre sector held in Hannover, Germany. Over the three-day exhibition, the company’s stand drew considerable attention from a global audience of customers, partners and industry professionals. The event served as a vital hub for fostering technical dialogue and commercial relationships, leading to the acquisition of new orders and forward-looking discussions that resonated deeply within the international tyre manufacturing community.

A defining moment for the company at this year’s expo was its recognition at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2026. Comerio Ercole was honoured with the ‘Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year’ award, an accolade that underscores its enduring commitment to technological advancement. This achievement was complemented by the company’s status as a finalist in three additional award categories, highlighting its pervasive leadership and innovative edge in calendering technology.

These accolades reinforce Comerio Ercole’s standing as a pivotal technology partner for the global tyre industry. The recognition affirms the company’s strategic focus on engineering increasingly sophisticated solutions to meet the evolving demands of the market and shape its future trajectory.

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CEAT has introduced a comprehensive set of policies aimed at supporting the specific needs of its women employees and fostering their professional advancement. The organisation emphasises work-life balance as a means to enhance both personal well-being and workplace productivity, offering flexible remote work options in coordination with managers. A Wellness Leave policy allows women two days of monthly work-from-home or leave during menstruation without requiring justification, while shopfloor employees can access on-site Occupational Health Centres for shift changes or rest as necessary.

To cultivate leadership and career growth, CEAT has implemented targeted programmes such as Womentoring, the Women Accelerator Program and STARS, which focus on building digital, functional and leadership competencies. The EmpowHer Employee Resource Group further promotes inclusion and facilitates open dialogue within the organisation.

The company also provides extensive support for mothers, including 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, hospitalisation coverage and facilities such as crèches and lactation rooms across offices and plants. Returning mothers can benefit from flexible hours and a reduced four-hour workday until their child turns one, while shopfloor workers are assigned morning shifts during the first year after childbirth. A gender-neutral Child Caregiver Travel and Stay Policy ensures that caregiving responsibilities do not hinder career progression.

In manufacturing, CEAT has enhanced accessibility by introducing automated machinery, ergonomic fixtures and lift-assist devices. These changes have contributed to a 20 percent women workforce at the Chennai facility and 28 percent representation on the Nagpur shopfloor, which was the first in Maharashtra to introduce night shifts for women. Safe transport, women security personnel and ergonomic workplace design further support this inclusion. Collectively, these efforts reflect CEAT’s commitment to enabling women to lead and succeed in diverse roles.

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