James McGraw, former Managing Director and CEO of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP),  passed away on June 8th, 2020 in Houston, Texas.

The company extends its sincerest condolences to his family in this difficult time and expresses its enduring gratitude for his decades of leadership and inspiration. “We are deeply saddened by his loss,” said Juan Ramon Salinas, actual Managing Director & CEO of the IISRP.

“Jim was a visionary leader, who had a true passion for the Rubber Industry and an exceptional commitment to our Members. His energy, drive and leadership will be missed.” He was born on June 27, 1949 in Louisville, Kentucky. Jim graduated from Corydon Central High School in 1967. From 1972-78 he was a medic in the Indiana Army National Guard. In 1975 he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and in 1985 a MS is Engineering Management from the University of Louisville. Jim began his 40-year career in 1975 in Louisville as an American Synthetic Rubber Corporation (ASRC) and during his 23 years at ASRC Jim held various assignments all of which included compliance management. Jim McGraw served the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc. (IISRP) for 36 years, both as an IISRP chair and active committee member while employed by ASRC and subsequently as both Deputy and as Managing Director and CEO for over 17 years. Jim has tirelessly travelled the world to support current members and recruit new ones. During McGraw’s tenure, membership has expanded to include upstream companies affiliated with IISRP and agents and distributors. More recently, he added members from subsidiaries and joint ventures of producer members. Under his leadership, IISRP developed single-product manufacturing benchmarking exercises, the life cycle assessment project, and enhanced statistical exercises. His focus on the future led to the Strategic Direction Initiative, designed to take IISRP into the next decade. Jim’s passion for the industry throughout his career has been evident in his dedication to the mission of IISRP.

Jim managed complex, multi-year scientific research to meet members’ safety and health needs. This research, conducted at renowned international universities, was presented to agencies around the world through published Proceedings following periodic scientific symposia which McGraw organized. He began his transition into retirement in 2015 and was advisor to the IISRP Executive Committee. His publications include numerous proceedings of the IISRP’s annual general meetings and scientific proceedings of IISRP Symposia. Jim was recognized for the “Best Paper of the Year Award” by the Southern Rubber Group of the ACS Rubber Division. He was a keynote speaker at many industry international conferences during his career, all in furthering IISRP's members businesses. One of his greatest joys was traveling the world with his wife Pat, he also loved working on his family’s farm in Corydon, cooking, wood working, collecting HO scale trains, and restoring his 1966 Super Sport Chevelle. Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia; mother, Alma; brothers, Mike, Roger, Tom; sister, Jeanie; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, James “Jack” McGraw.

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For the second year running, CHIMEI Corporation has secured the prestigious Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it in the top one percent of 150,000+ global companies evaluated for sustainability performance. This recognition reflects CHIMEI’s excellence across environmental stewardship, labour practices, ethical operations and sustainable procurement.

The EcoVadis assessment, a gold standard for corporate sustainability, has seen growing participation and stricter criteria as ESG awareness rises worldwide. CHIMEI demonstrated particular progress in 2025, advancing its Sustainable Procurement score through platinum-level Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) certification. This strengthened supply chain oversight, workplace safety standards and employee welfare initiatives. The company also elevated its Ethics performance via ISO 27001 information security and ISO 37001 anti-bribery certifications, reinforcing governance transparency.

Since joining EcoVadis evaluations in 2021, CHIMEI has systematically enhanced its sustainability framework through continuous strategy reviews and operational improvements. Back-to-back Platinum ratings validate its leadership in sustainable business practices and commitment to the ‘Clean & Green’ vision. Moving forward, CHIMEI will intensify efforts in carbon reduction, eco-innovation, and supply chain collaboration to accelerate progress towards net-zero goals. This achievement not only recognises current performance but also fuels the company’s drive to set new benchmarks in responsible corporate citizenship.

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For nearly three decades, Titan International has championed agricultural preservation and education through its Antique Tractor Restoration Program. Since 1996, the company has contributed over USD 1 million to FFA chapters nationwide through tyre donations, auctions, and fundraising support – including USD 50,000 worth of tyres in 2025 alone. These investments have enabled students to breathe new life into historic farm equipment while developing hands-on technical skills.

The programme’s impact shines through success stories like Jenna Rosener, a 4-H member from Anthon, Iowa, whose restored tractor earned recognition at the Iowa State Fair thanks to Titan’s rear tyre donation. Similarly, Nevada FFA Chapter President Lily Henderson redirected savings from Titan’s donated tyres towards premium restoration materials for her 1948 Oliver tractor project. According to Nevada High School agriculture instructor Kevin Cooper, such partnerships do more than preserve machinery – they inspire future agricultural leaders.

Beyond individual projects, Titan’s commitment extends to community engagement. This year marks their inaugural sponsorship of the Central Iowa Tractor Club Display at the Iowa State Fair, featuring over 70 vintage and modern tractors. The exhibit offers fairgoers a tangible connection to farming’s evolution while showcasing student restoration achievements.

From California to Maine, Titan’s specialised antique tractor tyres and restoration support help students master mechanical skills, project management and agricultural history. By bridging generations through these initiatives, Titan reinforces its dual mission: honouring farming’s heritage while equipping the innovators who will shape its future.

Kim Boccardi, VP – Marketing, Titan, said, “At Titan, we believe strong roots lead to a stronger future. Through our Antique Tractor Restoration Program, we're not only helping preserve agricultural history but also inspiring tomorrow’s innovators, teachers, technicians and leaders. I wish I’d had access to a programme like this when I was in 4-H – it truly fosters craftsmanship, education and community, and fuels the passion for farming for generations to come.”

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest innovation for the trucking industry with the launch of the W920, a tandem-axle radial drive tyre built to deliver reliable performance in all seasons. Engineered with Bridgestone’s next-generation ENLITEN technology, the W920 combines extended tread life, superior traction, and sustainability enhancements to meet the evolving demands of commercial fleets.

As the third ENLITEN-equipped tyre introduced for the commercial truck segment in 2025, the W920 represents Bridgestone’s commitment to advanced engineering that aligns with both operational efficiency and environmental goals. The tyre builds on the success of its predecessor, the W919, with notable improvements, including Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for dependable performance in rain and snow.

Fleet operators can expect a six percent increase in wear life compared to competitors like the Michelin XDS 2, translating to an estimated 10,000 additional miles (17,000 kilometres) per tyre, states the company. The W920’s non-directional tread design simplifies mounting and rotation, while features such as stone rejector platforms, specialised tread compounds and full-depth sipes enhance durability and all-weather capability. Additionally, the tyre’s premium casing supports multiple retread cycles, further extending its service life.

Manufactured at Bridgestone’s Warren County Plant in Tennessee, the W920 will debut in the 11R22.5 size, with additional sizes planned for release in 2026.

Brad Booth, Director, Canadian Commercial Sales, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Weather plays a significant role in every fleet’s journey. Our aim with the W920 is to mitigate risks and elements that weather brings to the road and give drivers more confidence in these uncertain conditions. The Bridgestone W920 tyre with ENLITEN technology illustrates our company’s passion for bringing products to the market that directly respond to the needs of fleets in different regions.”

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The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) projects total tyre shipments will reach a historic high of 340.2 million units in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 337.3 million set in 2024. This represents a 0.9 percent year-over-year increase and a 2.3 percent gain compared to 2019 levels (332.7 million), signalling continued recovery and growth in the tyre industry.

The forecast reveals diverging trends between original equipment (OE) and replacement markets. OE shipments are expected to decline across all categories, with passenger tyres dropping 2.0 percent (42.3 million units), light truck tyres down 1.4 percent (6.6 million) and truck tyres falling 8.0 percent (5.2 million) compared to 2024. This 1.4-million-unit overall reduction reflects softening demand from vehicle manufacturers.

In contrast, the replacement market shows robust growth, particularly in light truck (37.7 million units, +2.5 percent) and truck tyres (24.3 million, +3.7 percent), which have surged 15.7 percent and 28.2 percent, respectively, since 2019. Passenger replacement tyres (224.2 million) maintain steady demand with a 1.2 percent annual increase. Combined, replacement shipments are projected to grow by 4.4 million units in 2025.

These trends highlight shifting dynamics in the tyre industry, with aftermarket demand driving overall growth even as OE shipments contract. The data suggests consumers are prioritising tyre replacements and upgrades, potentially influenced by extended vehicle ownership cycles and evolving fleet needs.

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