What is your take on the two-wheeler tyre market in India, considering the current situation?

India is facing the heat of the most unprecedented crisis with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The automobile industry is witnessing a slump, resulting in a slowdown in the two-wheeler tyre market in India. However, the two wheeler demand in India remains strong in the long term, and we believe the current harsh time will pass soon. We are certain that once the lockdowns are lifted, two-wheelers could become the preferred mode of transportation for many, certainly which will be a boom for the two-wheeler tyre market.

Tyre companies are facing challenges on the manufacturing front due to restrictions being infused by the pandemic situation. How has the company aligned its manufacturing activities to the current situation and is taking care of its employees?

At Maxxis, the employee’s safety has been prioritised over business targets. There was a shutdown for a brief period. To ensure workforce well-being, we have been strictly conducting employee Health check-ups, including RT-PCR tests and compulsory vaccinations for all the staff. Also, we have always been following all government protocols of social distancing, limited workforce, operating in shifts and other safety measures for our employees. 

The manufacturing unit operates under the guidelines drawn by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Gujarat State Government. Currently, employees are working in shifts with full capacity workforce. We intend to augment production as per market demand and the lockdown situation in the country.

Management is also proactively sharing e-mailers with employees, channel partners on safety measures and positive quotes to spread the positive environment. 

Could you highlight the role of digitisation of Maxxis India’s plant in Gujarat and how is it helping in today’s time?

Maxxis lays excellent emphasis on digitisation. It gives us greater control and visibility into each step of the complex manufacturing process, reducing cost and waste and improving overall efficiency.

How does the company see Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 will be the key game changer for the Indian manufacturing sector. Industry 4.0 refers to leveraging cyber -physical domains in association with the latest technologies like AI, IoT, Cloud computing, AR, 3D printing, etc., to enhance productivity. Industry 4.0 is already influencing sectors like manufacturing, supply chain management, construction, shipping etc., and shall impact all the aspects of our day-to-day activities. It is truly considered to be a disruptive technology.

Maxxis has always worked extremely hard to implement this strategy into hardware (technology, equipment and machinery in our newly built facilities worldwide) and software (the production, management and quality methods that operate those facilities).

What about sustainability in manufacturing at the plant? 

As a socially responsible corporate, Maxxis has been continually assessing the environmental impact of its activities, products and services that forms the basis of its ‘Global Environmental Policy. 

Our Sanand facility boasts of one of the most effective water stewardship programmes in India. Its efficient Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) have accorded the plant its status of a ‘Zero Liquid Discharge’ facility. It discharges no liquid effluent into the surface water, effectively eliminating the environmental pollution associated with treatment. The process also uses wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse, thereby contributing to water conservation through a reduced freshwater intake. 

The manufacturing unit also has a unique peripheral trench for water conservation. It collects and stores rainwater and further discharges it into the ground through 22 recharge stations rather than completely running off.

On average, Maxxis India recycles around 2,000 cubic metres of water every month, and the residual water after recycling is further used for plantation and cleaning purposes. The increasing groundwater draft caters to its domestic and industrial requirements, rendering most of the unconfined aquifer zone dry.

Following are some of the measures for collection, storage, Handling, and disposal of waste at our Sanand unit:

• We have the Effluent treatment plants (ETP) and Sewage treatment plants (STP) in our facility to treat our wastewater. After treatment of wastewater – Sludge is generated from both plants. Considering the 3’R, we use the entire STP sludge for our in-house gardening purpose. And the sludge of ETP plant – we use to keep it in a scrap yard for getting dry and then we send it to TSDF (Transport Storage Disposal Facility) “Pollution control board’s Authorised waste management companies for landfilling.

• We also have a sound constructed facility of 1800sq.mt for collection, segregation, and storage of all type of waste.

• We are not only focusing on the safe disposal of Hazardous waste; being an ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certified Tyre manufacturer company, it’s our moral responsibility to ensure “End use” or “life-cycle prospective” of our products. We are only selling out the Tyres & other Rubber related to waste to Gujarat Pollution Control Board “Authorised Recyclers”. 

We have always been following consistently ethical standards for recycling to encourage a green environment.

How are you preparing for producing and marketing premium tyres?

Maxxis believes that quality speaks for everything, especially for the premium tyres market; no marketing or promotion activities can subdue how a user concludes the experience of using a premium product. We tapped into the market with Hornet 2.0 project with Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India last year by supplying the Extramaxx (M6233/M6234) series. Extramaxx tyres use the world’s strongest Aramid Fibre, and the dual compound technology minimises rolling resistance while improving stability and tyre life. We have also plan to launch extension sizes for the Extramaxx series to cover all significant sports motorcycles running on Indian roads. We will soon launch more tyre series to cover different road applications for the cruising/touring market segment in the coming months.

How is the company widening the partnership with OEMs?

Maxxis has formidable strength in the OEMs market, where our quality and technology enable us to serve our OEM partners better. We have partnered with some of the world largest two-wheeler manufacturers- Hero Moto Corp, Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India Limited, Yamaha Motor India and Suzuki Motorcycles. We are fast expanding our portfolio as per new trends and market demand. 

Will Maxxis India open to cater to the Electric two-wheeler market, which is small but a fast-growing segment?

Maxxis Tyres stand for our steady commitment towards innovation, catering to the future mobility trends across segments. Last year, we launched the M922F, a special edge for tyre designs for electric two-wheelers. The new M922F tyres are built with specialised compound technology, which helped us in producing lighter tyres. This lighter weight in turn reduces energy consumption by five to ten per cent, enhancing the range of an electric two-wheeler.

We are one of the best EV 2W tyre manufacturers globally as we supply tyres to Gogoro in Taiwan and Niu in China; both are the pioneers in EV 2W globally. 

The company plans to have five more plants. Could you elaborate on how will they be technically advanced and cater to future demand?

We are one of the fastest-growing tyre companies in India with a long-term vision to achieve a 15 percent market share by 2026 and set up five manufacturing plants. Owning to the current pandemic situation in the country and keeping in mind the well-being of the employees, the complete utilisation of the existing plant capacity has been put on hold. 

We are evaluating the current market situation and will navigate our strategy as per the future condition.

What are the expansion plans for 2021 – 2022.

On the product front, Maxxis India has various line-up of tyres for sports bike with different applications for road and weather conditions which we will introduce in a very short time. We are evaluating the space of market for more product introduction. Currently, our portfolio covers 82% of market’s users’ scenario and we plan to raise it more than 90% this year.  

Also, The company made an investment of over $400 million in its Sanand plant in Gujarat. We currently employ workforce of 600+ people and are committed to extend manpower to 2000 within five years. Currently, we have used half of the land (106 acres) we got from the Gujarat government for the planned 60,000 units’ capacity. Owing to COVID-19 pandemic, we are carefully evaluating the situation this year and will take appropriate steps to realise our future plans, in the time to come. We have penetrated across all 29 states and eight Union Territories of India and opened an exclusive retail store in Goa to meet the growing demands of our customers.

We are working on new alignments and partnerships with new set of OEMs for the two-wheeler market as well as working on expanding our portfolio for the replacement market.

 (TT)

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Tegeta Green Planet opened the Light Vehicle Diagnostics course at Tegeta Academy with a presentation for attendees aged 17 to 33. Beyond their chosen vocational field, participants learned about automotive waste management and environmental responsibility.

Shalva Akhvlediani, the organisation’s director, outlined its activities and goals while emphasising Extended Producer Responsibility. The session examined how the automotive sector connects to environmental duty and why used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries must be collected and managed properly.

Tyre management and RECSOL featured prominently. Attendees traced a used tyre’s path from collection to recycling and learned how waste becomes a source of new resources. RECSOL, Tegeta’s tyre recycling plant, is a significant infrastructure project in used tyre recycling, processing tyres into materials for various uses and supporting circular economy principles.

A core aim is a system where waste is not an endpoint but the starting point for new resources, which requires infrastructure alongside greater public awareness and information on proper disposal. For participants, the meeting linked professional education with environmental awareness, stressing that future automotive professionals should understand this responsibility early.

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Tyres Europe, alongside ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) and CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers), has dispatched a joint communication to EU decision-makers concerning the possible broadening of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to cover downstream goods. The move comes as trilogue discussions approach.

Tyre producers form part of an automotive value chain already bearing carbon-related expenses for steel and aluminium manufactured within Europe. The proposed expansion would draw additional products into the mechanism’s remit before the existing framework has demonstrated its effectiveness. Resulting costs and administrative requirements would land on downstream manufacturers, tyre makers included, with signatories cautioning that a conceptually sound regulatory effort could become an operational and financial strain.

Endorsing the mechanism’s aims, the signatories nonetheless urge a proportionate scope that shields the entire value chain from carbon leakage while preventing that risk from being pushed further downstream. They advocate extending the mechanism only where a material carbon-leakage danger is evidenced, and request that policymakers ease compliance demands, including via more fitting default values mirroring real production routes.

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NEXEN TIRE has extended its partnership with Zalgiris, reinforcing its commitment to basketball in Europe, particularly across the Baltic region. The renewal builds on a relationship that began in 2024 and reflects the company’s broader strategy of linking its brand to performance, innovation and mobility.

The tyre maker has pursued sports partnerships as a way to connect with fans, sharing in the passion and excitement of supporting favourite teams during major matches and memorable moments. It also values the teamwork, dedication and collective achievement that define team sports, using such ties to build authentic connections and deepen engagement in key European markets. Its collaboration with clubs including Zalgiris and FC Bayern München forms part of this approach.

Under the extended agreement, NEXEN TIRE will gain greater visibility among sports fans in the region. The partnership offers branding opportunities at Zalgirio Arena, such as synchronised on-screen advertising and promotion on LED stands near the court, in a position visible on television during EuroLeague and LKL home games.

The arrangement also includes a hospitality programme allowing NEXEN TIRE to welcome guests and business partners at Zalgiris home fixtures. Through the strengthened alliance, the company aims to share its passion with more fans while raising brand awareness across the region.

Ricky Lee, Managing Director, NEXEN TIRE Poland, said, “Our cooperation with Zalgiris has developed positively since 2024, and we are pleased to extend and strengthen this partnership. Basketball has a particularly strong following in the Baltic region, making Zalgiris an important partner as we continue to grow our presence and engage with fans. We look forward to supporting the team throughout the season and doing our best to create positive experiences for both the players and their passionate fans.”

Paulius Jankunas, President, Zalgiris, said, “We are delighted to continue our cooperation with NEXEN TIRE and build on the partnership we started two years ago. NEXEN TIRE brings extensive experience in sports marketing, and we are proud to work together on creating meaningful projects and experiences for our fans. We look forward to another successful period of cooperation and to welcoming NEXEN TIRE’s guests and partners to our games and events.”

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has widened its tyre portfolio through the addition of four new lines under the Multi-Mile Tyres banner. Serving as a value step-up brand, Multi-Mile gives dealers a strong mix of broader product coverage and improved consumer advantages crafted to drive better retail margins, helping retailers offer greater value while lifting profitability. With this expansion, the portfolio now reaches over 85 percent of the vehicle market, offering dealers more ways to satisfy customer demand.

Among the additions are tyres built for rugged and mud terrain use, boasting self-cleaning treads that push out mud and stones alongside dependable traction both on and off the road. Also joining the range are commercial and C-metric speciality tyres tailored to heavy-duty regional and long-haul trucks, together with all-weather tyres that hold the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe snow rating and are made for high mileage and consistent year-round use.

A prominent name in the replacement tyre segment, Multi-Mile carries cutting-edge touring, high-performance and broad-line tyres suited to passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Meanwhile, the upgraded Mile After Mile Protection Plan warranty now delivers broader coverage, adding three-year roadside assistance, a three-year road hazard protection plan and a 60-day ride guarantee on top of its extensive treadwear warranties.

Rachel Tibor, Chief Marketing Officer, TBC Wholesale, said, “For more than 70 years, Multi-Mile products have offered cost-efficient, reliable and durable tyre options that enhance safety and performance. With this expanded portfolio, Multi-Mile strengthens its position as a value step-up brand, giving dealers more opportunities to meet evolving consumer needs while offering a product mix designed to support stronger retail margins. We’re continuing our longstanding tradition of supplying the right products at the right time for every type of vehicle and application.”

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