HF Mixing Group Opens New Building in Freudenberg, Germany

Hankook Partners With Tableau To Push Digital  Transformation

HF Mixing Group officially moved into its new headquarter office in Freudenberg, Germany recently. The company claims that the modern administration building is a huge milestone in terms of comfort and architecture. The black building, with its high proportion of glass, intends to offer employees and applicants an environment of “new work". The new environment supports both internal and external cooperation and new ways of communication with customers, suppliers and partners, according to HF Mixing Group.

Furthermore, the new building symbolises modern and cross-disciplinary work. HF Mixing Group states that this is reflected in the entire complex with its large open office spaces and central communication islands. One can also feel it in the new company restaurant where the bread, too, is freshly baked, in addition to three main courses a day.

Peter Scholz, Vice President – Global Sales and Marketing, HF Mixing Group, pointed out the future of the company in his welcome speech. "Of course, the new building is a sign that we have great expectations for this location," he said. In the opening, he referred to the phrase from Heraclitus, "panta rhei" (everything flows) and "panta rhei" determines life.

“We are at a turning point in many areas. It also applies to work and the new way of thinking about work, which can be felt immediately in the new building. The project was successfully realised with ‘w:architekten’,” Scholz said.

Additionally, as per HF Mixing Group, the overall measure consists of the new building with about 4,000 square metres, the refurbishment of the existing building on an area of 2,000 square metres.

Ian Wilson, Co-CEO, HF Mixing Group, emphasised in his speech the noticeable "change" associated with the project. His Managing Director colleague, Co-CEO, Dr Holger Rudzio, emphasised the same. Dr Rudizo said, "Even if contemporary business is more difficult, we are 100 percent convinced that we will successfully master the crises of the global economy with new processes, new ideas and precisely new ergonomic working methods. We are giving work processes greater flexibility and agility. Work will change through agile project management and flat hierarchies. Employees from different departments will now be able to work together in flexible work groups.” 

Yokohama To Showcase Aircraft Lavatory Solutions At Aircraft Interiors Expo 2026

Yokohama To Showcase Aircraft Lavatory Solutions At Aircraft Interiors Expo 2026

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is set to appear at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2026 in Hamburg, Germany, collaborating with its American sales arm, Yokohama Aerospace America, Inc. This premier trade fair, running from 14 April over three days at Hamburg Messe, will host over 450 exhibitors from around the globe, all showcasing cutting edge cabin products, materials and technological innovations.

Visitors to the Yokohama booth will encounter a full range of aircraft lavatory solutions, including a prototype unit designed for wheelchair access and retrofit kits intended for existing restrooms. Those kits bring touchless operation to flush switches and faucets, thereby boosting accessibility. By targeting plane makers, airlines and maintenance firms, the company hopes to strengthen sales of its interior offerings.

Yokohama Rubber ranks among Japan's foremost aerospace suppliers. Since the 1980s, it has produced and sold numerous commercial jet components like lightweight composite lavatory modules, potable water tanks, onboard stairways, thermal insulation and honeycomb panels. Having delivered roughly 17,000 lavatory modules for Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft, the firm continues to supply replacement parts for those units and also crafts custom-made components for airline retrofit projects.

Petlas Expands OTR Range With PtxMD51 For Underground Mining

Petlas Expands OTR Range With PtxMD51 For Underground Mining

Petlas Tire Corporation has introduced the PtxMD51, an L-5 type tyre specifically engineered for underground mining loaders and trucks operating under severe service conditions. This new addition expands the company’s off-the-road product range to address the most demanding mining environments.

Built with an extra deep tread and an all-steel radial construction, this tyre excels where wear, impact and cut risks are consistently high. Its specially developed tread compound offers strong resistance to cuts and chips, while the reinforced structure, combining steel belts with a radial steel carcass, delivers high impact resistance under heavy loads and harsh operating conditions. A solid centre structure further boosts durability and resistance.

To maintain stability and traction, shoulder grooves are incorporated into the design, ensuring reliable performance in underground operations. With the PtxMD51, Petlas continues to strengthen its portfolio for high-risk, heavy-duty applications where durability, safety and cost efficiency remain essential priorities.

Lazada And Michelin Forge Partnership To Revolutionise Online Tyre Sales Across Southeast Asia

Lazada And Michelin Forge Partnership To Revolutionise Online Tyre Sales Across Southeast Asia

Lazada, a major e-commerce player in Southeast Asia, has entered a strategic collaboration with Michelin to transform how drivers buy tyres online. By merging digital commerce capabilities with Michelin’s mobility expertise, the partnership seeks to improve operational efficiency, build consumer confidence and simplify the entire purchasing process across the region.

A pilot programme will launch in Thailand during the first quarter of 2026, featuring a dedicated Michelin flagship store on LazMall. From there, the initiative will extend to other Southeast Asian markets. The companies plan to co‑invest in a framework that streamlines tyre buying on LazMall by incorporating Michelin’s authorised distributors into Lazada’s ecosystem. This integration supports better inventory control, guarantees product authenticity and widens customer reach. Educational campaigns promoting road safety and proper tyre maintenance are also part of the plan.

As part of the agreement, Michelin will onboard its authorised local partners and distributors onto Lazada’s platform, giving them access to Lazada’s regional customer base. Lazada will further support Michelin’s loyalty efforts through its membership programme, bridging offline and online interactions. This aligns with Michelin’s broader offline‑to‑online strategy while reinforcing product authenticity and service quality for drivers throughout the region.

Varitha Kiatpinyochai, CEO, Lazada Thailand, said, “This partnership with Michelin reflects Lazada’s commitment to building a high-trust premium eCommerce platform that goes beyond transactions. By combining Michelin’s global leadership in mobility and safety with Lazada’s technology, logistics and regional know-how, we are creating a more integrated journey that gives consumers greater confidence, convenience and peace-of-mind.”

Paul Perriniaux, Vice President for Sales, B2C, Michelin Asia Pacific, said, “This partnership lets us deliver that promise digitally: clear guidance, authentic products and seamless after sales support, all anchored in Michelin’s vision for safer, long-lasting and more sustainable mobility. By working with Lazada, we will shape a meaningful, end to end journey that puts consumers first – before, during, and long after their purchase.”

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS Honoured For Endangered Species Conservation

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS Honoured For Endangered Species Conservation

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS was honoured at the sixth Endangered Species Day ceremony, which took place on 1 April 2026 at the Chollipo Arboretum in Taean. The company received a certificate recognising its sponsorship of endangered species conservation. This annual event, organised by the National Institute of Ecology, has been running since 2021 with the goal of increasing public awareness about the protection of threatened species. The institute also runs a special recognition programme that celebrates corporate contributions to conservation efforts.

Since signing an agreement with the National Institute of Ecology in 2022, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been acknowledged for its ongoing commitment to preserving biodiversity. The firm planted 2,000 specimens of Veronica pusanensis, a Class II endangered wild plant and has been listed as an official conservation sponsor since 2023. The company has also focused on safeguarding essential pollinators like bees. In 2023, it created a pollinator garden at the Mulbeodeul Ecological Experience Learning Center in Seocheon, followed by another in 2024 at the Ulsan Climate Crisis Response Education Center, where nectar rich plants such as canola and buckwheat help sustain bee populations and reproduction.

Additionally, the company tackles threats to biodiversity through regular removal of invasive species. Since 2023, it has annually cleared harmful plants including Sicyos angulatus and Humulus japonicus from Yubu Island in Seocheon, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. These persistent efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to protecting both flora and fauna, from endangered wild plants to critical pollinators, while also managing ecological threats to preserve natural heritage areas.

An ESG official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS said, “We are honoured to receive this recognition for our efforts in endangered species conservation. We will continue to work closely with the National Institute of Ecology to further expand and strengthen our conservation initiatives.”