What kind of products does Uzer Makina offer to global tyre industry?

Uzer Makina has been serving top tyre makers all around the world with its tyre curing presses and molds since 1978. Our press product category consists of mechanical and hydraulic presses for all kinds of tyres; while mold category includes tread segments, sidewall plates, container mechanisms, AG molds and bladder molds.

Tell us about the evolution of the company as a global leader

The company was founded by Selahattin Uzuner and his nephew Bahattin Ertuğ. At first, the company was working for petrochemical industry in Turkey and later on started to make mold maintenance activities for various tyre companies in Kocaeli. First mold was manufactured 1984. Nearly 10 years later, Uzer Makina started to manufacture tyre curing presses again for plants in İzmit. In 2000, the plant was moved to Kartepe, Kocaeli, where it  is currently located. In 2004, first hydraulic tyre curing press is manufactured and in 2007 Uzer Makina designed, manufactured and internationally patented its popular product Floating Column Hydraulic Press. Until late 2000s, the company mostly served domestic market. After 2010, we started to supply a good amount of its products abroad as well. With an aggressive growth strategy, Uzer Makina invested in buildings, brand-new equipment, human resources and expanded production in last five years to become a global player in tyre curing equipment market. We now serve top tyre makers and their plants in more than 40 countries.

What is the latest step in your expansion process?

After doubling capacity in 2018 by separating press and mold factory, Uzer Makina has completed another expansion by June 2020. This new facility is entirely dedicated for pre-production activities, including storing steel raw materials, cutting, bending, construction, welding, sandblasting and heat treatment serving both for tyre curing press and mold categories which used to be a part of press manufacturing facility before. Uzer Makina also moved its HQ office from mold factory to press factory.

Investment decision was made at the end of 2019 by the top management before Covid-19 pandemic with the goal of decreasing the costs by decreasing the amount of manufacturing activities which are outsourced. Following this decision, Uzer Makina has acquired 9500 m² land just next to existing press manufacturing facility and finished 6500 m² building in less than 7 months.

Uzer Makina also has added brand-new pre-production equipment like heat treatment furnace, sandblasting machine and bending machine. With these new machinery investment, Uzer Makina is planning to decrease the cost per product and production time while increasing the total quality of the processes by taking these operations in house rather than outsourcing them.

This expansion enables Uzer Makina to better use the existing press manufacturing facility. Since pre-production occupied a good amount of space before leaving the building, remaining place is now used for press manufacturing and assembly. Therefore, Uzer Makina is able to manufacture more presses at the same time compared to previous set-up. Uzer Makina has also made machinery investments for existing press area as well including automated spray-painting booth for painting press bodies/parts and vertical turning machine with 3 meters turning diameter which would mainly be used for parts of bigger (over 85”) mechanical presses.            

What are the features of the new SUV & TBR Floating Column Hydraulic Press?

A new era for SUV & TBR tyre curing has begun as Uzer Makina announced the development of SUV & TBR version of its most popular and internationally patented Floating Column Type Hydraulic Press in the last Tyre Technology Expo. Uzer Makina dispatched the first 65” Floating Column Hydraulic Type Curing Press at the end of 2020. This new version outweighs the existing solution Frame Type which used to be the industry standard almost in every aspect. It offers a simpler design, the construction weights much less, has fewer components, maintenance requirements are lower and finally the energy requirement is lesser compared to Frame Type. Besides, most importantly, pricewise there is no significant difference between these two types.

On the other hand, tyre manufacturers will be able to benefit all the advantages of the internationally patented Floating Column Technology for curing of larger tyres. Floating Column Technology provides fully automatic mold height adjustment and therefore eliminates the need for conventional mold height adjustment systems. The technology features two squeezing cylinders under the columns on both sides of each cavity. The piston rods of these cylinders are directly connected to the columns. Besides applying squeezing force, these cylinders also change the position of the locking point, which is located on the columns for adjustment of mold height. Therefore, the press does not need multiple locking points and can work perfectly well with just one. Columns rise at the end of each cycle and release the locking plates from grooves, meaning the locking mechanism can work without jamming.

In addition to these, Uzer Makina is able to construct this new size Floating Column Type Hydraulic Press as V-Shape as well in order to save space. The V-Shape design enables tyre manufacturers to use the curing press area at least 12% more efficiently, in other words, tyre producers would be able to place 112 curing presses in an area that was previously large enough for 100 machines. This concept was developed by Uzer Makina engineers in response to the recent market demand for upgrading existing machines in tyre production plants.

On the other hand, Uzer Makina have been recently putting so much effort to increase energy efficiency on the presses and therefore help tyre manufacturers to comply with the latest European regulations. With this object in mind, Uzer Makina has developed “Energy Saver Steam Hoses” as a subsidiary product that would work both with Uzer Makina presses and others. With these hoses, one can save up to 5% energy per press which is equal huge amount of energy considering the fact that tyre curing is the most energy consumer process of tyre production. These hoses also prevent curing area from overheating. In case there is an effort to cool down the area, there is no need for it or at least it requires much less effort to keep the curing area at normal temperature.

Uzer Makina is not solely a tyre curing press and mold producer – the company also strives to improve the efficiency of the entire curing process. Uzer Makina places great emphasis on digitization and designs its presses to be fully compatible with Industry 4.0 requirements such as EMS, AGV, SCADA, MES and ERP systems. In addition, the company conducts its own research and also works with leading industry companies to offer solutions such as mold pre-heating presses, mold changing pickup cranes and RFID mold management systems – to help tyre manufacturers achieve the most efficient curing processes.

How did the company take on the pandemic?

Even though pandemic conditions were very challenging for tyre industry especially in terms of demand last year, 2021 is very promising also for Uzer Makina. There are many reasons for this: firstly, because of US tariffs against Asian tyre makers, Turkey & Eastern Europe has become a very attractive country for capacity increase for tyre production. Almost all tyre makers in Turkey runs at full capacity and some of them already is expanding. Secondly, there has been a global change in transportation as many people now prefers to move more individually than ever, this probably will eventually affect the number of tyres produced globally. Uzer Makina started to feel this rebound in the demand as many existing customers has decided to restart their previously on hold orders and requesting inquiries for new equipment, and it is also a known fact that quite a few tyre makers are making new greenfield & expansion projects. As Uzer Makina continues to improve its reputation in the market year by year, this rebound will have much more positive effect on the company.

In the pandemic period, like all other companies, Uzer Makina also had to transform the way to operate business into more digital. Now in Uzer Makina, all internal meetings are video meetings. Since travelling abroad is still an issue, nearly all the meetings with customers and suppliers are done via video calls too. Uzer Makina enriched the content of the installation and commissioning materials and provided remote support in order to help the customers which cannot accept people to their plants because of travelling bans. (TT)

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BKT Tyres has launched a nationwide campaign featuring Ranveer Singh to mark its entry into India’s on-highway consumer tyre segment, a market dominated by established domestic and global players.

The television-led multimedia campaign, titled “Elevate Your Drive,” introduces the company’s consumer positioning as it expands beyond its traditional strength in off-highway tyres used in agriculture, construction and industrial applications.

The campaign is built around the idea that ambition often stalls due to uncertainty and that confidence can help individuals push forward. BKT seeks to align its brand with that narrative, positioning its tyres as enabling progress and reliability for everyday drivers.

In the campaign film, Singh appears as himself, delivering a voiceover that links stories of people striving to move from ordinary circumstances to higher aspirations. The narrative focuses on ambition and forward momentum, themes the company hopes will resonate with India’s growing base of vehicle owners.

The campaign also introduces a new sonic identity for BKT, aimed at strengthening brand recall across television, digital and other multimedia platforms.

The move comes as BKT broadens its presence in the domestic market and targets growth in India’s on-highway tyre segment, which includes products for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. The marketing push signals the company’s intent to build consumer recognition as it diversifies beyond its core off-highway tyre business.

Commenting on the launch, Mahesh Koppad, Chief Marketing Officer - India, BKT, said, “With ‘Elevate Your Drive’, we are positioning BKT Tyres for Indian consumers and our channel partners with a clear and meaningful purpose. Mobility, for us, is about empowering progress in a market where consumers seek reliability, performance, and meaning from the brands they choose. Our consumers expressed how journeys are about moving ahead in life, yet uncertainties often hold us back. At BKT Tyres, our ambition is to enable every Indian vehicle owner’s desire to move forward with confidence. Our commitment is to build an enduring brand and deliver best‑in‑class products that uphold the performance, trust, and innovation that is synonymous with BKT globally. ‘Elevate Your Drive’ isn’t just a campaign line, it is the guiding principle shaping our consumer‑focused initiatives. The campaign will be deployed through a high‑reach media mix to maximize awareness and drive strong early adoption.”

Avik Chattopadhyay, Co-founder, Expereal added, “The best way for an Off‑highway specialist brand to enter the consumer segment is to adopt a deeply customer‑centric approach to purpose, promise, and positioning. BKT Tyres aims to enhance every vehicle owner’s progress and driving delight by building an ecosystem that empowers individuals to move forward with confidence.”

Commenting on the same Creative Chairman Infectious Ramanuj Shastry said, “The journey from good to better is one that never ends. While for some, victory is the ultimate destination, for the truly great, it is but a pitstop. BKT Tyres makes sure that when the human spirit is raring to keep going further, the roads don’t hold it back.”

The campaign was conceptualised and executed by Infectious Advertising, which crafted a compelling human story around BKT Tyres’ engineering strength. The film was produced in collaboration with Mangata Films and Prachar Communications, bringing the campaign’s vision to life, while Expereal co-created the brand strategy for India.

Watch the entire video @ https://youtu.be/GwdnMogVAbc?si=ca0MIRoh3WOjqSE1

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Hankook Tire, the official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has confirmed that the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya is scheduled for 12 to 15 March 2026 near Naivasha. This event is recognised as one of the most punishing off-road challenges in the series, set against the backdrop of the demanding African savanna. For this rally, Hankook introduced the new Dynapro R213 soft gravel tyre, featuring an optimised compound for better low-temperature flexibility and superior grip on wet surfaces, while its adaptable structure ensures consistent durability under severe conditions.

Departing from its customary Nairobi start, this year’s competition will concentrate entirely on the harsh gravel terrain surrounding Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Drivers will need to quickly adjust to newly designed, high-intensity stages and refine their race tactics from the very beginning. Spanning four days, the rally consists of 20 Special Stages covering roughly 350.52 kilometres. Competitors will encounter a treacherous mix of deep sand, sharp rocks, expansive savanna sections and the infamous fine ‘fesh-fesh’ dust, all compounded by swiftly shifting weather. In this unpredictable environment, tyre resilience, grip and handling stability are paramount to performance.

The Safari Rally consistently draws significant global motorsport attention. Since its return to the WRC calendar in 2021, the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has achieved five consecutive victories at this event. Nevertheless, strong challenges are anticipated from both the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team and the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, promising a fierce contest for the win.

Since taking over as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes in 2025, Hankook has leveraged data from its involvement in over 70 global motorsport championships. The company applies these race-proven insights to advance its ultra-high-performance tyre technology, continually reinforcing its leadership in the field.

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The Board of Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (Enviro) has resolved to file for bankruptcy for its fully owned subsidiary, Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB. A formal petition has been submitted to the District Court of Gothenburg to initiate the process. This action forms part of the broader company reorganisation currently underway for the parent company and is specifically intended to improve Enviro’s liquidity and support its long-term profitability.

The subsidiary in question operated a recycling facility in Åsensbruk, which was instrumental in validating both the company’s technological processes and the products derived from them. Having successfully fulfilled this developmental role, the facility’s ongoing operations are no longer strategically essential. Given that the site has not been financially viable, the Board determined that filing for bankruptcy for the subsidiary was the necessary course of action.

This decision is projected to negatively impact Enviro’s financial results through an impairment charge of approximately SEK 84 million (approximately USD 9.14 million). Despite this measure, Enviro’s core operations in Gothenburg will continue without disruption, running in parallel with other initiatives being implemented under the reorganisation framework. It is important to note that the company reorganisation applies exclusively to the parent company, Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB, and not to its subsidiaries.

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The Yokohama Rubber Company has confirmed a renewed partnership with KONDO RACING for the 2026 motorsport season, marked by a shared pursuit of victory in the highly competitive SP9 class at the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race. The team will campaign a Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, equipped with Yokohama’s ADVAN racing tyres, across both the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race (ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring) and the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).

This collaboration brings together a proven combination. KONDO RACING, under the leadership of Masahiko Kondo, has consistently demonstrated its capability on the global stage, competing in elite series such as SUPER GT and SUPER FORMULA in Japan, as well as enduring the rigors of Le Mans. Their history with Yokohama at the Nürburgring includes a notable ninth-place overall finish in 2019. More recently, the team showed formidable pace in 2025, securing second place in the qualifying race and remaining a contender among the frontrunners throughout the final event. This performance provides a strong foundation for their 2026 campaign, where the objective is a class victory.

KONDO RACING Director Masahiko Kondo

Yokohama Rubber’s commitment to the Nürburgring extends beyond its partnership with KONDO RACING. The company will continue to provide its high-performance tyre technology to multiple leading teams competing in the NLS and the 24-hour race. The overarching goal is to secure another overall championship, leveraging the reliability and handling precision of its tyres to conquer one of the world’s most demanding circuits. This renewed agreement reinforces a longstanding relationship built on shared success in both domestic Japanese competitions and gruelling international endurance events.

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