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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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) was among 16 industrial organisations recognised for climate action during a recent Bangkok seminar. The event, held on 18 August 2026 at the Thailand Institute of Justice, marked the conclusion of the ‘Project to Promote Greenhouse Gas Emission Target Setting for the Industrial Sector towards Net Zero using the Science Based Target Approach (Phase 3)’, organised by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization and Thammasat University's Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency.

STA participated in developing a Net Zero Pathway aligned with updated certification criteria. The sustainability team shared insights on embedding Net Zero objectives into operations, highlighting management and employee roles in advancing the environmental agenda. A formal certificate was presented to Dr Saranthinee Mongkolratthe, the company's Sustainability Division Manager.

STA targets a 23 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2024 baseline, aiming for Net Zero by 2050. Initiatives include energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption and emission reduction plans across factory and group levels. Digital technology and artificial intelligence are deployed for carbon management, enabling performance monitoring and data analysis to support long-term decisions.

STA is also developing low-carbon natural rubber throughout its supply chain to meet global demand for sustainable products. The company's project involvement and recognition demonstrate its commitment to translating targets into action, positioning the business for low-carbon growth while contributing to Thailand's national sustainability objectives.

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Titan International is set to deliver a comprehensive experience for attendees at the 2026 Farm Progress Show, running from 1 to 3 September 2026. At Booth #24S, the company will showcase its extensive portfolio of off-highway tyres and tracks, offer exclusive savings opportunities and provide interactive tools designed to help farmers evaluate the financial benefits of its Low Sidewall Technology. The booth will also serve as a hub for meeting prominent agricultural personalities and supporting future farming leaders through a charitable initiative.

Visitors to the Titan booth can take advantage of a promotional offer providing USD 200 off a qualifying tyre purchase of USD 1,000 or more. Company representatives will be on-site to discuss eligible brands and products and to assist with the redemption process. Additionally, farmers are invited to use the interactive LSW Payback Calculator to assess the potential return on investment for their specific operations. Titan notes that in most scenarios, these tyres can pay for themselves in less than 18 months.

The booth will feature appearances by well-known figures from the agricultural and racing worlds. NASCAR driver and eighth-generation watermelon farmer Ross Chastain is scheduled to appear on Wednesday from 9 am to 12 pm, offering attendees a chance to see his racecar and discuss his farm's use of Titan and Goodyear tyres. Throughout the show, social media personalities will also be present, including the Welker Family and Cole the Cornstar, who will showcase their equipment and discuss their experiences with Titan products.

A highlight of the show will be the first-ever Farm Progress After Hours event on 2 September. Hosted in partnership with Van Wall Equipment and John Deere at Booth #24S, the evening will feature a concert by Iowa country artist Jason Brown and a pyrotechnic drone light show. The event is included with show admission and will commence after the exhibition booths close for the day.

Titan is reinforcing its commitment to rural communities through a tyre raffle benefiting Iowa FFA chapters. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets from FFA students at the booth for a chance to win a set of four tyres, with winners able to choose from Carlstar, Titan or ITP branded products. Proceeds from the raffle will be distributed to participating Iowa FFA chapters, supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

As a one-stop shop for off-highway wheel and tyre solutions, Titan will display products from its family of brands, including Goodyear Farm Tires, Carlstar and ITP. With over 40 product lines and 100 tyres on display, the booth aims to provide solutions for various equipment needs.

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PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia (Bridgestone Indonesia), a subsidiary of Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation, marked its golden anniversary with a formal ceremony in Jakarta on 24 August. The event served as a platform to acknowledge the critical role played by various partners and stakeholders in the company’s five-decade journey within the nation.

The commemorative gathering was honoured by the presence of Minister of Trade Budi Santoso, alongside representatives from the Indonesian government, the automotive industry association GAIKINDO and a broad network of clients and business associates. This assembly of industry leaders underscored the strong collaborative ecosystem that has been fundamental to the company's operations.

Bridgestone’s operational history in Indonesia dates back to 1976 with the establishment of its first production facility in Bekasi. The subsequent opening of a second plant in Karawang in 1999, which includes a global-standard proving ground, significantly enhanced production capacity and technical capabilities to meet rising domestic and regional demand. Presently, the company serves diverse market segments, including passenger, commercial and specialty tyres, by integrating global manufacturing standards with local market insights.

Looking ahead, Bridgestone Indonesia is intensifying its commitment to advanced technologies and sustainable mobility, exemplified by the 2026 local supply of B-Silent tyres for a global automaker’s electric vehicles. Building on its robust local research, design and manufacturing foundation, the company aims to further leverage its global network to deliver safer and more efficient solutions. As a key market for Bridgestone Corporation, which operates in over 150 countries, Indonesia remains central to the company’s regional strategy, with a steadfast focus on fostering long-term value for the nation's economy and automotive sector.

Budi Santoso, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, said, "We extend our appreciation and congratulations on Bridgestone's 50th anniversary in Indonesia. We are highly receptive to future investment and collaboration opportunities involving Indonesian investors and Bridgestone. The Government of Indonesia remains open to receiving ongoing input and engaging in strategic discussions aimed at strengthening domestic market dynamics, maximising global export opportunities and advancing investment policy proposals.”

Nobuyuki Tamura, Member of the Board, Representative Executive Officer, EAST CEO, Bridgestone Corporation, said, "As Bridgestone Indonesia celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud of the strong foundation built together with our employees, customers and partners over the past five decades and deeply grateful to all of our stakeholders for their longstanding trust and support. Indonesia is both an important market and a strategic manufacturing and export base within Bridgestone's global network. Guided by our unchanging Mission, 'Serving Society with Superior Quality’, we remain committed to growing together with Indonesia and creating greater value for customers and society in the decades ahead."

Mukiat Sutikno, Managing Director, Bridgestone Indonesia, said, "Over the past five decades, Bridgestone Indonesia has grown alongside the country's automotive industry, supported by the trust of our customers, partners and communities. As we look ahead, we will build on this strong foundation by deepening our local capabilities, responding to the evolving needs of the market and delivering solutions that make mobility safer, more efficient and more sustainable. Our commitment to Indonesia remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing this journey together with our stakeholders.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated the full-scale deployment of a proprietary generative artificial intelligence system, which became operational in August 2026. This advanced platform employs Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology to sift through the company’s extensive internal repository of technical documentation. The primary objective is to furnish development engineers with rapid and precise access to critical information, thereby streamlining decision-making processes in areas such as material innovation and tyre design.

This system represents a significant expansion of Yokohama Rubber’s existing HAICoLab AI framework, first established in October 2020. While the company had previously introduced AI tools for predicting rubber properties, generating novel compounds and assisting mould design, a persistent challenge remained in efficiently navigating the vast collection of regulatory texts, manuals, reports and case studies that constitute essential domain knowledge. The new generative AI system was developed specifically to address this gap, enabling swift retrieval of pertinent data aligned with specific development goals.

In practice, engineers pose questions tailored to their project’s specific context and the AI searches for the most relevant information from internal records to formulate its answers. To further refine accuracy, an integrated AI agent interprets the user’s intent and autonomously cycles through planning, information retrieval and evaluation steps. Moreover, the system provides direct links to the original source documents, allowing staff to confirm the validity of the AI-generated responses and incorporate them into their analytical and strategic work. This functionality effectively integrates accumulated technical knowledge into the HAICoLab-driven development environment.

Concurrent with these technological advancements, Yokohama Rubber is actively cultivating digital transformation personnel proficient in utilising the HAICoLab platform. The company remains committed to enhancing the system’s capabilities and leveraging its internal data and intellectual assets to foster the creation of innovative products, processes and services moving forward.

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