JK Tyre was the first tyre company that introduced radial technology in India, and it has been a leading tyre manufacturer in the truck and bus radial segment. For the truck and bus fleet operators, the company is running two successful programmes – Mobility Solution and Fleet Management – to offer lower cost per kilometre (CPKM) and better turnaround time with enhanced fuel efficiency and safety. In an interview, Srinivasu Allappan, Director – Sales & Marketing at JK Tyre, said that for its mobility solution and fleet management services, the company targets INR two billion and INR 20 billion, respectively, in the next three years. He also added that the JK Tyre mobility solution business will gain further traction on growing GCCs in India.

JK Tyre intends to maintain its leading position in the commercial tyre space with its fleet operator-oriented services – mobility solution and fleet management. 

Today, the commercial vehicle segment is under severe pressure owing to rising fuel costs and slackening overall business. After fuel, tyres are one of fleet operators’ main cost occurring components. With its mobility solution and fleet management services, JK takes all the responsibility for taking care of tyres with guaranteed savings.

The company started its mobility solution, wherein fleet operators have to pay per kilometre, in 2015, aiming to lower the cost per kilometre (CPKM) and offer better turnaround time, enhanced fuel efficiency and safety, and hassle-free trucking in the market. 

“Being a market leader in the CV space, we wanted to offer to differentiate to the trucking and bus operators. We started this initiative around seven years ago, even before anybody could think of it in India. Today, we have reached a point where we have taken the mobility solution business to new levels, with IoT supporting us in the digital space with the cloud. It has been good learning that we have carried forward. With confidence, I can say that JK Tyre is now high tech and comparable to any tyre service provider in the world,” said Srinivasu Allappan, Director – Sales & Marketing at JK Tyre.

Today, the company provides its mobility solution services to 25 large fleet operators in India. In the last fiscal, JK Tyre’s mobility solution generated a revenue of INR 500 million, and for FY22, it expects to have a 50 percent surge in the revenue, taking it to INR 750 million. “As per our strategic plan, we are looking at a revenue of INR two billion by 2025 for our mobility solution business. I wouldn’t be surprised if we even surpassed this number,” added Allappan.

JK Tyre charges per kilometre, whereby the fleet operators pay only for the distance the tyre has been used.

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Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”