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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Eurogrip, a premier two- and three-wheeler tyre brand from TVS Srichakra Ltd., is exhibiting its premium portfolio at Automechanika Dubai 2025 from 9–11 December. The brand's presence at this major global aftermarket trade show marks its third participation. Featured products on display at Stand Z5 - H26 in the Dubai World Trade Centre include the new Trailhound range, comprising the Wild, STR and SCR models, and the Protorq Max prototype.

The showcase also highlights Roadhound, Protorq Extreme, Bee City, Bee Sport, Climber XC, Terrabite DB+ and Beamer VS tyres, alongside popular patterns like Badshah, Badshah LX, Jaya LX and Auto 150. This diverse lineup is the result of advanced research, performance-focused design and sophisticated tyre technology.

T K Ravi, Chief Operating Officer, TVS Srichakra Ltd., said, “Automechanika Dubai continues to be a significant platform for us as we continue to strengthen Eurogrip’s global presence. The expo is a great opportunity for us to engage with partners and customers across the globe, particularly the West Asia, Africa and key Gulf countries. We are delighted to be displaying our high-quality performance-oriented tyres.”

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Galaxy, the off-highway tyre brand owned by Yokohama Off-Highway Tires, has introduced two additions to its construction and mining portfolio at Excon 2025 in Bengaluru, underscoring rising competition in India’s heavy-equipment tyre market.

The manufacturer unveiled the LDSR 500, an all-steel radial tyre for wheel loaders and dozers, and the RTSR 300, a model for rigid dump trucks used in mining and large construction sites. The launches reflect growing demand for tyres engineered to withstand higher loads, harsher terrain and longer operating cycles in India’s infrastructure sector.

Galaxy’s LDSR 500 features a non-directional pattern and deep tread intended to improve stability and extend service life. The RTSR 300 is designed for heavy-load haulage across varied surfaces and incorporates an open-shoulder pattern to aid traction and self-cleaning. Both tyres will be available in compounds tailored to specific applications.

Dyutiman Chattopadhyay, Chief Technology Officer at Yokohama-ATG, said the company aimed to broaden its range of advanced radial and solid tyres for the domestic market. “At Galaxy, we take pride in our customer-centric innovations and are excited to display an array of all-steel radials and large solid tyres that deliver improved wear characteristics and superior & trouble-free performance on tough terrains,” he said. “Our highly automated, state of the art facilities are well-equipped to manufacture customized tyre solutions for the Indian customers and we look forward to serving them.”

Anuj Thakar, Senior Vice-President for India and SAARC at Yokohama-ATG, said India remained a priority region. “India is a key growth market for us and it is a great pleasure to participate in the country’s biggest construction expo,” he said. “Our presence at Excon reflects our commitment to our customers in the region as we continue to provide the best tyre solutions for varied construction needs.”

The Galaxy stand also features several existing products aimed at mining, construction and material-handling fleets. These include the Mine Rock-XT, a nylon-casing tyre for use in both mining and construction; Hulk, a skid-steer tyre engineered for puncture resistance; and the LHD 510 SDS, designed with a deep groove for higher traction and lower heat build-up.

Other models on display include the Giraffe XLW, intended for backhoe loaders; the Yardmaster Radial, used on forklifts; and the LDSR 300 for loaders and articulated dump trucks.

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Goodyear has reversed an earlier plan to divest its farm tyre operations in India, opting instead to retain the business following the conclusion of a strategic review by its US parent company. The decision marks a shift in strategy for the US tyre group, which had been evaluating options for the division amid a broader restructuring programme.

Goodyear India disclosed the development to the Bombay Stock Exchange recetently, noting that the board had “took note of the communication received from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., USA, i.e. the ultimate parent company that it has concluded the previously announced strategic review of its Farm Tire business in India and at this time has made the decision to retain ownership of the business.”

The review, initiated earlier this year, followed a sustained period of mixed performance in India’s agricultural equipment sector, where tyre demand is closely linked to tractor sales and rural income trends.

Retention of the business suggests the company sees continued strategic value in India’s agricultural market, one of the world’s largest for tractor production and a key geography for tyre manufacturers seeking stable demand cycles. The farm tyre segment, although subject to monsoon-driven fluctuations, offers long-term potential due to mechanisation trends and government support for rural development.

Goodyear India remains majority owned by the US group and manufactures a range of tyres for passenger vehicles and agricultural machinery. The company did not outline next steps for the farm division but said the communication from its parent should be taken on record.

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Linglong Tire has honoured its highest-performing dealers at a five-day gathering in London, as the Chinese manufacturer works to expand its international footprint and deepen ties with distributors across key growth markets.

Dealers from Australia, El Salvador, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Uzbekistan were among those invited, having recorded the strongest sales of Linglong Group products in the first half of 2025. The company distributes several brands globally, including Linglong, Atlas (marketed in Australia), and Benchmark in Turkey.

Participants received certificates recognising their sales performance and attended presentations on company strategy and product developments. Some dealers also outlined their own approaches to marketing Linglong tyres in their respective regions, enabling comparisons of market conditions and promotional practices. Linglong said the exchanges offered insight into how its brands are positioned across different markets.

The event concluded with a group visit to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal. Linglong is the global tyre partner of Chelsea, displaying its branding at the club’s home fixtures at Stamford Bridge.

Shandong Linglong Tire, founded in 1975, operates seven research and development centres and seven manufacturing plants worldwide. The company manufactures tyres for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and engineering equipment, and supplies original equipment to more than 60 automotive manufacturers. Its products are sold through nearly 200,000 outlets in 173 countries.

Linglong continues to expand beyond its Chinese production base, with existing overseas facilities in Thailand and Serbia and plans to add further sites as part of its “7+5” global manufacturing strategy. The company has been an active sponsor of international sporting events and football clubs, including Real Madrid and Chicago Bulls.

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