Hankook Tire has partnered with DriverReviews, a platform for verified tyre reviews of current models in the UK, to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

The reviews provided by the consumers will be verified and published on the tyre maker’s UK website, making it the first tyre maker in the UK to do so. Hankook Tire currently has over 5,000 product reviews on its website.

Zoe Baldwin, Marketing and Communications Manager of Hankook Tyre UK, said, “As reviews have become a very important force in online consumer decision making, it seemed a natural progression to provide genuine reviews of our products on our website. This will enable consumers to make an informed choice when selecting their tyre brand. We have partnered with DriverReviews to ensure consumers are confident in their choice of Hankook tyres before purchasing. As the reviews are requested at three intervals of ownership, after 3 months, 12 months, and 18-24 months, consumers can provide the most accurate, honest opinions across the product’s lifecycle.”

Adam Butcher, Head of Product at DriverReviews, said, “We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Hankook – one of the fastest-growing and leading premium tyre makers in the world. Thousands of customers have already used DriverReviews to review and voice their opinion on Hankook’s wide range of high-quality and high-performance products, and it is exciting that our partnership will enable Hankook to syndicate these reviews into their marketing communications. It’s an important step for DriverReviews to collaborate with partners such as Hankook to ensure that more customers are given the opportunity to read genuine authentic tyre reviews to guide their future purchases and help them make the right choice in a sometimes-complicated customer experience.”

Although DriverReviews is currently only integrated into the UK website, Hankook plans to roll out across more countries in 2022. (TT)

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Liberty Tire Recycling, a portfolio entity under the global infrastructure investor I Squared Capital, has announced a significant expansion of its Gulf Coast footprint. The company has finalised the acquisition of three key regional players: All American Tire, Colt Tire Recycling and Genan, Inc., the United States subsidiary of Genan A/S. This strategic move consolidates Liberty’s position across Texas and Louisiana, establishing what is now the most comprehensive tyre recycling network in the area.

The unified operations of these three firms are set to dramatically increase Liberty’s existing capacity for rubber processing and tyre collection. By integrating their assets, Liberty aims to offer a seamless suite of services, encompassing collection, processing and the supply of recycled materials. This expansion is a direct response to the escalating demand for sustainable end-of-life tyre management from retailers, manufacturers and municipal governments throughout one of the nation’s most rapidly developing regions.

Each acquired company brings specialised strengths and seasoned leadership to the combined entity. All American Tire, founded by Tom and Jodi Parker in Fort Worth, is a dominant force in collection and crumb rubber production within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Colt Tire Recycling, established by Kip and Sydney Vincent in Louisiana, is recognised for its collection leadership and innovative applications of recycled rubber in civil engineering. Meanwhile, Genan’s Houston facility is renowned for its advanced processing technology, producing high-grade rubber granules for demanding sectors like automotive parts and playground surfacing. Thomas Boehme of Genan will assume a new role with Liberty to spearhead continued US growth.

To ensure operational continuity and customer stability, senior management from All American, Colt and Genan will transition to Liberty. This integration of experienced leadership is intended to guide the future development of each business. As North America’s premier tire recycler, Liberty processes hundreds of millions of tyres annually. This latest expansion bolsters its circular-economy mission by increasing the availability of recycled rubber for infrastructure, manufacturing and high-value applications across the continent.

Thomas Womble, CEO, Liberty Tire Recycling, said, "We have always been about bringing together proven partners who have built something that enhances Liberty – and All American, Colt and Genan do just that. We look forward to combining our expertise with their proven success to provide customers across the Gulf Coast with expanded capabilities, stronger regional service and new opportunities for sustainable end-of-life tyre management."

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Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has announced the acquisition of Gummiverkstan i Torsby, a well-established service point located in west-central Sweden. The transaction strategically bolsters Citira’s presence along the vital E45 and E16 transport corridors through the Värmland region, adding a key facility to its growing network.

Under the leadership of Karl-Johan Axelsson, Gummiverkstan has built a solid reputation over the years for reliably servicing both heavy vehicles and passenger cars within the Torsby area. The business experienced consistent growth, driven by a steadfast commitment to its loyal local clientele and a focus on dedicated automotive care.

As part of the agreement, Gummiverkstan will maintain its current operations, retaining all staff and continuing at its existing premises while gaining access to Citira’s broader resources to facilitate further expansion. Axelsson will transition into a new role as a co-owner of Citira, ensuring continuity and strategic alignment for the future.

Urban Tibbelin, Head of Sweden at Citira, said, "Gummiverkstan i Torsby is an important addition to our presence in Värmland. Karl-Johan and his team have earned a standing in Torsby that only comes from doing the job well, year after year, and that local trust is exactly the foundation we want to build on. We're glad to have them with us.”

Axelsson said, "It has been a privilege to look after Torsby's vehicles for as long as I have, and joining Citira means me and my team get to keep doing exactly that. With the addition of their backing to serve our customers well for many years to come, I'm confident we will only get better as part of the group.”

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Webfleet, the fleet management division of Bridgestone, has secured three industry accolades in Italy and Poland, underscoring its advancements in artificial intelligence and road safety technology. The recognition highlights the company’s growing influence across European transportation sectors.

During the sixth IoMobility Awards 2026 in Italy, held alongside the Next Mobility Exhibition and Transpotec Logitec, Webfleet placed among the top three in the Fleet Management Software & Services category. An additional AI NOW Award was bestowed by Digital Voice for the firm’s application of artificial intelligence within logistics. Industry judges praised the organisation as a European frontrunner in digital fleet transformation, citing its integration of innovation with environmental accountability.

In Poland, Webfleet Video clinched the Technologies Enhancing Road Safety category at Fleet Derby 2026, marking its third victory in that segment and extending a six-year streak of awards for the brand. This nationwide online poll sees fleet professionals vote for leading sector solutions. The winning system utilises connected cameras and AI to identify imminent driving hazards, delivering real-time alerts to drivers while providing operators with critical data to promote safer fleet operations.

Jan Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone, said, “These awards demonstrate how connected data and AI empower fleet managers and drivers to operate more safely and make better decisions every day. Recognition in Italy and Poland reflects the strength of our teams and underlines Webfleet’s commitment to acting as a trusted advisor to fleets, making complex technology easy to use, and enabling fleets to take informed decisions for safer, more efficient and sustainable operations across Europe.”

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Hankook Tire has secured the Gold Award at the ‘A' Design Award & Competition’ 2026, one of the world's most recognised international design contests. The competition draws tens of thousands of submissions annually from over 100 countries across categories such as product design, architecture, fashion and graphic design. Hankook's entry, the Bladder Upcycling Series, earned a place in the top three percent of all participants, a distinction reserved exclusively for Gold Award recipients.

The winning collection is part of Hankook Tire's flagship ESG upcycling initiative, re:move, which repurposes bladders – inflatable moulds used during tyre curing – into valuable new resources through creative upcycling methods. By collaborating with partners across diverse industries, the project explores novel pathways for resource circulation while deepening expertise in material science and sustainable design.

Developed in partnership with Seoul National University's DISCO Lab (Design Innovation for Sustainable Circularity Lab), the Bladder Upcycling Series includes 3D-printed furniture that emphasises the bladder's distinctive layered texture, upcycled bricks that employ recycled tyre moulds to produce dynamic kinetic wall installations and handcrafted keyrings designed as lifestyle accessories. The collection debuted at the Seoul Design Festival 2025 and has drawn considerable praise from judges for its inventive approach to circular design and resource conservation.

This marks Hankook Tire's first-ever entry into the A' Design Award, resulting in a Gold Award on its initial attempt. The winning works will be permanently housed at the Museo del Design in Como, Italy. The re:move project has previously earned a Red Dot Design Award 2024 in Singapore and a 2025 Green GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Award in United States. Looking ahead, Hankook Tire intends to broaden its reuse and recycling efforts for various unused materials, reinforcing its position as a global brand shaping the future of mobility.

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