What may change and what may not

It is impossible to predict in advance which changes will stick, and how much and to what extent our lives will change, but it is safe to say that the changes that will persist are those that make our lives safer, healthier, and more efficient.

Mask wearing may be the most visible change that persists, and not just cheap surgical masks or bandanas. In many big, design-conscious cities the mask is already becoming more a fashion statement, a new feature of the personal decoration of city life that permeates these places. Masks may become walking billboards for commercial ads or political statements. Masks, visors and facial protection will be integrated into the uniforms of public workers, delivery people, police, firefighters, and security guards.

All public places – schools, theaters, shopping malls offices and mass transit will be reconfigured for physical distancing. Restaurants, cafes and gymnasiums, those that survive the pandemic, will have fewer patrons, as their tables and equipment will have been designed for physical distancing. Attendees of at large venues, such as sports venues, may continue to be subjected to have their temperatures checked.

The way we worked by going to the “office” has changed and many will continue working from home. This means reduced need for large office buildings. Still, growing urbanisation will continue. In the past, urbanisation has overcome the devastating Black Plagues, cholera and even the recent Spanish Flu which killed as many as 50 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1920. Each and every time, the economic power of cities — their ability to foster innovation and productivity by pulling together the talent of workers — has been more than enough to offset the destructive power of infectious disease. However, the current digital era may achieve similar outcomes without people clustered together in an urban setting.

On an individual consumer level, more shopping will move to online transactions with courier services delivering goods – so, brick-and-mortar shopping venues will see reduced business.

The pandemic has had a swift and severe impact on the globally integrated automotive industry and has placed intense pressure on an industry already coping with a downshift in global demand as well as the cost of shifting towards electrification. So, look for a changed industry with increased merger & acquisition activity.  

So, change is here to stay, and businesses need to pay special attention to signals being sent by consumers’ changing behavior. 

Anyway, when the pandemic and all its related crises finally ebb and we are on the road to recovery in a few months or a couple of years from now, we will have the opportunity to look back and see what has changed!

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Hankook Tire is preparing to take centre stage as the champion of TGL presented by SoFi Season 2 is decided. The highly anticipated Final Series unfolds over two days, 23 and 24 March 2026, at Florida’s SoFi Center, where the season’s defining matches will play out.

Since the 2026 season, Hankook has served as the inaugural Official Tire Partner and a Founding Partner of TGL, playing an integral role in the league’s identity. Guided by Chairman Hyunbum Cho’s emphasis on technological innovation, the brand has helped redefine sports entertainment by fusing golf with cutting-edge technology – a formula that has connected with audiences across 150 countries. During the Final Series, Hankook will maximise its premium visibility through prominent LED signage, broadcast graphics and television commercials. By standing alongside PGA stars at this historic moment, the company continues to strengthen its global premium reputation.

The championship showdown features Los Angeles Golf Club and Jupiter Links GC. Los Angeles earned its place by defeating reigning champions Atlanta Drive GC, while Jupiter Links advanced with an upset over regular-season leaders Boston Common Golf. Los Angeles enters with a formidable roster including Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala and Tommy Fleetwood, having led the regular season in Triples Team Sessions, average driving distance, and fairway accuracy. Jupiter Links, anchored by Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner, showcased strategic dominance by topping the league in Singles Team Sessions and successful Hammer plays.

With both teams making their first Final Series appearance, a fierce battle for the inaugural title awaits. Hankook will be embedded at the heart of this milestone, further cementing its global integrated brand identity in the minds of golf fans worldwide.

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ARJES GmbH and EuRec Environmental Technology GmbH are set to make a significant impact at IFAT Munich 2026, the premier global gathering for the recycling and environmental sector taking place from 4 to 7 May 2026 at Trade Fair Center Messe München. At their expanded outdoor exhibition space at stand FM.709/13, the two companies will present their latest advancements in modern processing technology.

A comprehensive display of shredding and processing innovations will be on view, highlighting integrated recycling solutions. ARJES will showcase its full machine lineup, featuring the mobile COMPAKTOR 300, with a shredding capacity of 6–12 t/h for rubber and waste tyres, alongside the stationary TITAN 900 e-pu, with a shredding capacity of 13–25 t/h for rubber and waste tyres. A major announcement for ARJES is its strategic expansion into mobile trommel and scalping screens, reflecting a shift towards viewing shredding, screening and material processing as a unified, full-liner approach that delivers greater efficiency from a single source.

EuRec will simultaneously debut new machinery focused on electric drive technologies, with a particular emphasis on heavy-duty applications. A key highlight is the stationary electric version of the FERRO 950, built for rigorous industrial tasks, alongside the new electro-mobile tracked ULTIMA 850 series, which merges high-performance shredding with energy-efficient operation and future-oriented mobility.

An additional highlight will occur at the VDMA Crushing Zone, where ARJES, EuRec and Rockster will collaborate as part of the RBG Family (Recycling Beyond Generations) to demonstrate a complete processing chain for concrete railway sleepers. This integrated solution brings together the EuRec FERRO 950 shredder, the Rockster R1000 impact crusher and the new ARJES NEOS 6.3 scalper screen, showcasing a seamless combination of shredding, crushing and screening technologies in a live operational setting.

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Sun Auto Tire & Service, one of the largest independent tyre and automotive service providers in US, has entered into a new sponsorship agreement with Ty Gaynor Motorsports, backing driver Ty Gaynor as he takes on the NHRA circuit in both Top Dragster and Super Stock categories. This alignment brings together two entities that prize performance, precision and consistency – qualities that are essential under the hood and behind the wheel. Sun Auto’s branding will appear on Gaynor’s race vehicles throughout the season, with the company’s nationwide network of over 575 locations symbolically travelling alongside him as he competes across the country.

At just 18 years old, Gaynor represents a third generation of drag racing heritage, having climbed from Junior Dragsters to secure his first NHRA national event victory in 2025 at the Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals. That landmark Top Dragster win featured a nearly flawless reaction time and a run closing in on 200 mph (approximately 322 kmph). Company leaders describe the sponsorship as a natural outgrowth of Sun Auto’s deep roots in automotive service and its enduring commitment to high-level performance.

The 2026 season will see Gaynor continue his campaign in both Super Stock and Top Dragster competition, with his first race scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Through this partnership, Sun Auto reinforces its connection to the precision and dedication that define success both on the track and in the service bay.

Gaynor said, "Growing up around my family's shops that are now part of the Sun Auto Network, it feels like everything's come full circle having that logo on my cars. What started as family is now a network of more than 575 locations across the country."

Matthew Loos, Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Auto Tire & Service, said, "Whether it's in the shop, in the pits or on the track, consistency, precision and performance matter.”

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Dunlop Motorsport marked its competitive debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a strong top-10 finish, underscoring the potential of its advanced tyre technology. Central to this effort was the use of Dunlop tyres, integrated with the innovative Sensingcore system developed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. This proprietary technology transforms the tyre itself into a smart sensor, delivering real-time data on critical parameters such as wear, pressure, wheel load and track conditions without requiring additional hardware. By enhancing both safety and strategic decision-making, Sensingcore enables early detection of issues like loose wheel nuts and allows for optimised pit stops, proving its value under the extreme demands of the ‘Green Hell’.

Behind the wheel of the black-and-yellow Porsche 911 GT3 R, drivers Nico Menzel and Dorian Boccolacci delivered a determined comeback. After a challenging qualifying session left them in 24th place due to ill-timed yellow flag periods, Menzel wasted no time, surging to 18th by the end of the opening lap. Boccolacci then took over, extracting the full potential of the new Dunlop slicks with consistently fast lap times. A well-executed team strategy propelled the duo into the top 10 before the race’s midpoint. Although the leading pack had built an insurmountable gap by then, preventing a podium challenge, Boccolacci brought the car home in ninth place overall after four hours of racing.

The event served as a crucial development test for both tyre technology and Sensingcore under real-world conditions, highlighting its promise for future motorsport and production applications. Dunlop Motorsport will continue its preparation at the next Nürburgring Endurance Series round, the 57th Adenauer ADAC Circuit Trophy on 11 April 2026, as part of its buildup to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring in May.

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