In a recent development, the KraussMaffei Group (KMG) Supervisory Board has undergone a reorganization, resulting in the appointment of Chi Zhang as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective 10 January 2024. Chi Zhang, former Chairman of the Supervisory Board, brings over two decades of experience with Sinochem to his new role.

Yong Li, the outgoing CEO, will transition into the newly established position of Chief Administrative Officer. Li will oversee Corporate HR, IT, and Audit functions in this capacity. Shihao Yang, a key figure from KraussMaffei’s main shareholder, Sinochem, will assume leadership of the Supervisory Board.

This leadership shift coincides with a notable expansion of the KraussMaffei Group’s Management Board, which will now consist of three members. Jörg Bremer will continue in his role as Chief Financial Officer.

Chi Zhang’s extensive background includes various executive, operational, and project-related management positions during his tenure at Sinochem. Since the close of 2022, he has served as the Chairman of China National Chemical Equipment Company (CNCE), a Sinochem Holdings subsidiary and the owner of the KraussMaffei Group.

Chi Zhang said, “I am very much looking forward to this new role. With our new, further strengthened management team, the support of our main shareholder Sinochem and the many committed and highly competent colleagues in Germany and around the world, we have the best prerequisites to put KraussMaffei back on the road to success.” 

The new Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Shihao Yang, said, “With the appointment of myself and Chi Zhang, Sinochem is once again sending a strong signal of commitment to support KraussMaffei. Chi Zhang has been working with Sinochem for two decades and has already accompanied KraussMaffei as head of the Supervisory Board since February 2023. I have great confidence in the new management team. With Chi Zhang, Yong Li and Jörg Bremer, KraussMaffei is ideally equipped to strengthen its capacity at the management board. I would like to thank Yong Li, who has led the company through a very challenging situation, for his great contribution in the last year. Together with the KraussMaffei team, Yong Li and Jörg Bremer have successfully reduced the level of management structure, selected key business leaders, and improved internal management conditions which establish a good foundation for the turnaround. I am very pleased that Yong Li will continue to be available to KraussMaffei in the new position as Chief Administrative Officer. I will work together with members of the Supervisory Board and Management Board to make KraussMaffei shine again.” 

The previous CEO and current Chief Administrative Officer, Yong Li, said, “The past year has been very challenging, but with the strong commitment and dedicated efforts of our team we have made some good progress. I would like to thank Jörg Bremer and our colleagues for their contribution towards the turnaround. There is still a lot to be done to reach our target, and we will keep moving forward. I will continue to give my best to KraussMaffei and I am looking forward to working with the expanded Management Board under the leadership of Chi Zhang.”

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.”