Emerson appointed Lal Karsanbhai, executive president of the company’s Automation Solutions business since 2018, as the CEO of the company.

Karsanbhai replaces David N. Farr, who retires on February 5.

The company said Karsanbhai has led Automation Solutions to strong performance, elevating Emerson’s software profile and digital transformation business.

Farr, who was named CEO in 2000 and chairman of Emerson’s board of directors in 2004, will remain as chairman through May 4. Over his two decades at the helm of the $16.8 billion global company, Farr has led Emerson through multiple strategic evolutions to grow the company’s global footprint, stay ahead of changing market conditions and advance the organization’s capabilities and competitiveness on the worldwide stage, added the company.

“David is a tremendous leader who has brought the company through difficult times – 9/11, the dot-com bubble, the Great Recession and now a global pandemic – with conviction and an unwavering belief in the strength of Emerson,” said Clemens A.H. Boersig, lead independent director of Emerson’s board. “Emerson has a long history of strong leaders in the corner office, with David being just the third CEO in the last 66 years. We wish him the best in his retirement and are grateful to have his expertise in the coming months as chairman of the board.”

Under Farr’s leadership, Emerson has transformed from a component manufacturing company to an industrial software leader with a singular purpose uniting nearly 85,000 employees: “We drive innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter and more sustainable.” Farr built on the company’s longstanding disciplined management strategy, making it one of the few companies to increase its dividend to shareholders for 64 consecutive years.

Farr joined Emerson in 1981 in a corporate staff position and progressed through corporate and business unit management positions with increasing responsibility before being appointed president of Emerson’s Asia-Pacific operations in 1993. After four years in Hong Kong, Farr returned to the United States in 1997 to oversee Emerson’s process control business. He was  appointed chief operating officer in 1999, a position he held until being named CEO.

“I have had the opportunity to work alongside Lal during his 25-year career at Emerson and have observed his strengths and proven skill as a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of both business operations and the markets we serve,” Farr said. “The board of directors has been actively engaged throughout our five-year succession process, and we are confident Lal is well-positioned to continue building on Emerson’s legacy of success.”

Karsanbhai, who is currently a member of Emerson’s Office of the Chief Executive, leads a business with $11.2 billion in global sales in 2020. The Automation Solutions business offers advanced technologies, software and services to process, discrete and hybrid businesses in industries that include life sciences, power, energy, food and beverage, and water and wastewater.

“I am humbled by the Emerson board and David’s confidence in me,” Karsanbhai said. “This is an exciting time for the organization as we continue growing Emerson’s global software footprint and expanding the company’s support of essential industries. I am honored to carry the legacy of Emerson’s leadership into the future and look forward to working with the Office of the Chief Executive to drive these vital goals.”

Goodyear has earned the prestigious ‘Master’ supplier rating by DAF for the fourth consecutive year.

Goodyear's excellence in crucial areas including product development, operational support and alignment with DAF's business objectives is highlighted by this recognition, which is a component of DAF's Supplier excellence Management (SPM) programme. Three performance categories – Achiever, Leader and Master – are used by the programme to assess vendors. The highest honour, the ‘Master’ rating, is given to suppliers that continuously exhibit exceptional performance and cultivate a close working relationship with DAF. By retaining the ‘Master’ rating for the fourth year, Goodyear underlines its position as a reliable industry partner committed to enhancing customer performance and efficiency.

Xavier Fraipont, Vice President Commercial PBU EMEA at Goodyear, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Master’ rating from DAF for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams in delivering high-performing products and reliable support to DAF. It also underscores the strength of our long-standing partnership, built on a foundation of premium quality, innovations and collaboration.”

Apollo Tyres NL BV plans to close its Enschede manufacturing facility in the Netherlands by mid-2026, citing unsustainable production costs and declining demand for its speciality tyres.

The Dutch tyre manufacturer, a subsidiary of India-based Apollo Tyres Ltd, has formally submitted a Request for Advice to the Works Council regarding the intended closure, the company said in a statement Friday. The decision follows "thorough investigation and careful consideration" after cost-cutting initiatives failed to offset rising inflation.

"Submitting the Request for Advice to the Work's Council on the intended decision to discontinue production has been enormously difficult," said Benoit Rivallant, President of Apollo Tyres NL. "In the last few years, we have implemented several initiatives to reduce costs at Enschede. These initiatives resulted in some savings, but most were completely negated due to the ever-increasing inflation."

According to the statement, the Enschede plant, which produces pneumatic tyres for cars and agricultural vehicles, has struggled with "macro-economic disruptions, steep increases in energy and labour costs, and a decline in demand for Spacemaster and Agri tyres. " Pressure from low-cost competitors has further squeezed margins.

The company said it would continue normal operations while consulting with the Works Council and that the final decision remains subject to supervisory board approval. Management has committed to maintaining communication with employees, customers and suppliers throughout the process.

Apollo Tyres Ltd, headquartered in Gurugram, India, ranks among the leading tyre manufacturers. The company did not specify how many jobs would be affected by the closure.
    
 

The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), a research organisation working as part of Rubber Board, has announced its proposal to appoint a ‘Research Associate (statistician)’ to work in the Botany Division on temporary basis. The selection will be based on a written test cum walk-in interview.

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Agricultural Statistics or equivalent qualification to be eligible for the position. As per the criteria, the age of candidates applying for the position should not exceed 35 years as of 31 January 2025.  Interested candidates are advised to meet the Director of Research, Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board, Kottayam–9 on 6 May 2025 at 9.30 am along with the original documents their age, educational qualifications, experience etc. Those interested can contact on 0481-2353311 or visit www.rubberboard.gov.in for further details.

Vaculug Ltd has officially launched its new mobile application, V-Torque, to support fleet managers and commercial vehicle technicians across the UK.

V-Torque is intended to improve the effectiveness and safety of vehicle maintenance by giving commercial vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes operating in the UK instant access to wheel nut torque requirements and re-torque settings. Thanks to the app's sophisticated capabilities, users can oversee and control re-torquing procedures with unparalleled precision, guaranteeing the highest level of wheel security compliance. V-Torque lowers maintenance costs and advances fleet operations' sustainability objectives by optimising these procedures. After successful field tests with a few chosen service providers, the app is now accessible on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Glenn Sherwood, Chief Growth Officer of Vaculug Ltd, said, “We are thrilled to introduce V-Torque, a product born from our unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The app amplifies our dedication to driving positive change in the industry.”