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!

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has extended its partnership with the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana (FMI), confirming it will remain title sponsor and exclusive tire supplier to the Campionato Italiano Velocità (CIV). The renewal, announced on Thursday 5 November at EICMA in Milan, follows three years in the role at one of Europe’s most competitive motorcycle racing championships. The new agreement covers another four seasons beginning in 2027.

Riders across the Superbike, Supersport, Sportbike, Moto3 and Moto4 classes will continue to use Dunlop tyres and receive backing from the company’s trackside support engineers. The announcement comes weeks after Dunlop was confirmed to continue supporting the FIM Endurance World Championship, and this sustained involvement in highly competitive series underlines Goodyear’s long-term investment in European motorcycle racing through its Dunlop Motorcycle Europe business.

CIV remains central to Dunlop’s development of racing and track day tire specifications and technologies that inform the next generation of road tyres. In 2027, the company will introduce the KR111 front tyre, successor to the KR109, following validation in real-world CIV conditions; a version raced by Supersport teams this year carried the development name G2_01 VAL4.

The KR111 has a different profile and construction and will be available to racers and track day riders at all levels, while Supersport teams will also run a new development KR108 rear tyre next year. The 2027 season opens on 24–25 April at Misano before visiting Mugello, Cremona, Imola and Vallelunga, with a July return to Misano for the CIV Racing Night.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager Motorcycle Europe, Goodyear, said, “We are proud to extend our partnership with FMI to support the continued growth of CIV, which is firmly established amongst Europe’s most competitive championships. In the past three years, we have worked closely with riders and teams at every level with a combination of proven and development tyres. CIV provides an unparalleled environment for our engineers to evaluate new technologies, as demonstrated by the development of our new KR111 front tyre. We look forward to continuing this work and bringing the benefits of our CIV partnership to even more riders.”

Giovanni Copioli, President, FMI, said, “We are delighted to announce the renewal of our partnership with Dunlop Motorcycle Europe as title sponsor of the CIV and exclusive tyre supplier to the Championship. Over the past three years, Dunlop and the CIV have built a highly successful relationship, contributing to the continued growth and development of the championship. The support of an industry leader such as Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has played an important role in this journey. Together, we are ready to embrace new challenges and continue raising the profile of the CIV, including further strengthening its international reach and appeal. I would like to thank Dunlop Motorcycle Europe for the trust, commitment and support it has shown throughout our partnership, and which it continues to provide as we look ahead to the future together.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) took part in the Women's Leadership Luncheon organised by the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region's Women In Alliance, held at San Jacinto College. The gathering drew women from throughout the Houston Port Region to exchange professional experiences, build connections and encourage the next generation of women leaders.

Andrea Cavalier, Principal Engineer at Kuraray America, Inc., noted that as she nears the later stages of her career, she has come to value how much can be learned from people at different points in their professional journeys. Her remarks underscored KAI's view that leadership growth is an ongoing process enriched by connections across career stages.

The event's centerpiece was a fireside chat titled ‘Beyond the Arena: Saddled for Success’, featuring Pat Mann Phillips, past Chairman of the Board for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with Nellie Baktashi Macaluso moderating. The conversation explored leadership, career development and spotting chances for personal and professional growth, highlighting three lessons: building trust through credibility and authenticity, embracing challenges by stepping outside familiar situations and knowing one's worth by recognising individual strengths and contributions.

Cavalier further stressed that leadership extends beyond personal success to using experience to create opportunities for others. That outlook mirrors Kuraray America's emphasis on mentorship, collaboration and continuous learning, where employees at all stages share knowledge and support one another.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has unveiled the ANGEL GT III, a new radial Sport Touring tyre that combines easier, improved handling with enhanced wet-weather capabilities and more consistent performance across its service life while retaining the brand's sporting DNA. The rear tyre is built for greater durability and reduced rolling noise compared with other ANGEL family products, thanks to a new tread pattern, and it carries a high-contrast sidewall with the ANGEL symbol and Gran Turismo lettering.

Scheduled for availability from early 2027, the tyre is the fourth generation of the ANGEL family, which began with the ANGEL ST and evolved through the ANGEL GT and ANGEL GT II. Over the past 15 years, the range has helped raise standards in the radial Sport Touring segment for riders seeking a balance of sporty performance, riding enjoyment and long-distance touring capability, supporting Pirelli's steady expansion in one of the European market's most important segments. Each generation has brought technological and performance advances, earning growing rider recognition and strengthening the brand's presence.

Designed for modern mid- and large-displacement Sport Touring, Crossover and Naked motorcycles, the ANGEL GT III pursues a clear objective: Pirelli's interpretation of the Gran Turismo riding experience, with high levels of control, comfort and riding enjoyment. Dedicated work to reduce rear-tyre rolling noise further enhances touring comfort, an especially important consideration for long-distance riders, with the resulting reduction in fatigue benefiting both journey enjoyment and overall control.

The tyre's standout characteristic is improved easier handling, a trait particularly valued by riders in this category. Pirelli's designers aimed to make motorcycles feel more intuitive, smoother and less demanding in everyday use and on long journeys while preserving the precision and responsiveness of the brand's sporting DNA. Wet performance also received particular attention, with the tyre designed to deliver confidence and control on wet, low-grip roads, raising standards set by previous generations.

Consistency throughout the service life was another key focus. Extensive development work sought more uniform dynamic characteristics over time, even as wear increases, so riders retain high levels of control and enjoyment. While improving comfort and ease, the tyre remains true to Pirelli's heritage, its focus on sport performance, steering precision and support during spirited riding reaffirming a distinctive character over long distances.

Aesthetically, the ANGEL GT III evolves the family's visual identity, its new tread pattern reinterpreting signature ANGEL graphic elements while expressing clear stylistic evolution. The high-contrast sidewall, with the iconic ANGEL logo and Gran Turismo lettering, references an Italian motorcycling concept of travelling swiftly, comfortably and in style. Pirelli frames the launch as a new Sport Touring chapter and a renewed commitment to innovation and raising segment standards.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Sri Trang Group has earned the CAC Change Agent Award 2026 from the Thai Private Sector Collective Action Against Corruption (CAC), with the honour collected by Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), alongside Vitanath Sincharoenkul, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT). The presentation formed part of the CAC Annual Conference 2026, convened around the theme of business integrity and collective action for Thailand's OECD journey, and was presided over by Rapee Sucharitakul, Chairman of the Thai Institute of Directors Association and of CAC, at the Stock Exchange of Thailand on 4 November 2026.

The award represents a fourth successive year of recognition for STA, while STGT secures its second. Across the Group, anti-corruption serves as a foundational corporate policy shaping the conduct of directors, executives and employees through explicit guidelines and measures that undergo periodic review to stay attuned to shifting circumstances and applicable standards. The Group further encourages cooperation with suppliers and business partners, nurturing a culture of transparency and accountability that reinforces confidence among all stakeholders.

Bestowed upon organisations that meaningfully advance transparency and sound corporate governance while carrying collective anti-corruption action into supplier networks and the wider business community, the accolade mirrors Sri Trang Group's resolve to lift responsible business conduct standards and weave anti-corruption collaboration across its entire value chain.

Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Chief Executive Officer, STA, said, “Receiving the CAC Change Agent Award 2026 is a source of pride that reflects our commitment to conducting business transparently, upholding good corporate governance and consistently combating corruption. It also recognises our role in extending collective action to suppliers and business partners to raise standards of ethical business conduct throughout the value chain. We firmly believe that good corporate governance is the foundation of sustainable growth and that trust must be earned through action.

“As a group whose operations span the entire natural rubber industry, from upstream to downstream, we are committed to driving change from within by embedding transparency and accountability in every process. We also cultivate a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and extend these principles to our suppliers and business partners, encouraging them to uphold the same ethical standards. We place particular emphasis on whistleblowing and encourage employees, suppliers and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and report suspected corruption so that concerns can be appropriately investigated and addressed.

“Translating good corporate governance into tangible outcomes is central to the role we embrace as a Change Agent. Creating a transparent and fair business environment requires collaboration and action across all sectors. This award provides further impetus for Sri Trang Group to strengthen corporate governance, reinforce a culture of transparency and expand anti-corruption collaboration throughout the value chain. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that business growth goes hand in hand with stakeholder confidence while contributing to the long-term strength and sustainability of Thailand’s business sector.”

Vitanath Sincharoenkul, Chairman of Executive Committee of STGT, said, “Receiving the CAC Change Agent Award for the second consecutive year is an honour and a source of pride for our organisation. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our people to uphold integrity and transparency in the way we conduct business. It is the result of everyone’s commitment to good corporate governance and to fulfilling their responsibilities transparently, ethically and accountably – principles that have become an integral part of our corporate culture. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed, especially our suppliers and business partners, for helping translate our commitment into tangible results. For STGT, trust is something we must uphold at every stage of our business. This award motivates us to continually raise our standards by building employee awareness, promoting accountable and verifiable work processes, and encouraging everyone to stand up for what is right, ensuring that anti-corruption principles are put into practice throughout the supply chain.

“Our commitment to transparency and anti-corruption is fundamental to putting our ‘Clean World Clean Gloves (CWCG)’ approach into practice. Environmental and social responsibility must be grounded in ethical, transparent and accountable business conduct. We therefore strive to apply good corporate governance principles at every level of our operations, ensuring that the delivery of quality rubber gloves goes hand in hand with building trust in our organisation. This prestigious award further motivates STGT to advance its corporate governance standards and strengthen a culture of integrity, transparency and accountability in line with our core values, supporting stable, long-term growth.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!