Michelin’s start-up, AirCaptif, in partnership with Dassault, unveiled its latest brain-child, the FALCON 6X aircraft range. AirCaptif is a specialist in ultralight, inflatable structures.

According to Michelin, as part of its growth plan, AirCaptif announced Michelin’s facility in Bourges Saint-Doulchard – in the heart of one of France’s aeronautical and defense ecosystems – as the centre for the industrial production of this technology. In addition, the company states that it plans to double its activity on the site, starting in 2023, and invest in the recruitment of new talent. In fact, as part of its expansion, AirCaptif is budgeting to double its turnover, starting in 2023, and hire some thirty skilled professionals in France’s Yvelines department, to the west of Paris. The company is currently hiring for its existing facility in Trappes and its future extension in Elancourt, planned to be operational in January 2023, as per Michelin. AirCaptif’s solutions are soon to be in industrial-scale production in Michelin’s facility in Bourges, the tyre company claims.

Michelin also states that prior to being commissioned, such aircrafts are required to perform extremely demanding certification trials. One of the tests checks the reliability of the aircraft cabin’s lightning resistance. This test, High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF), is mandatory for the plane to be compliant with the electromagnetic standards from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In these certification trials for such aircrafts, Dassault verifies the resistance of critical systems (flight commands and calculations) to electromagnetic interference. Whereas the classic trial method requires two weeks of tests for the FALCON 6X, AirCaptif reduces this time to just three days, at a much reduced cost, according to Michelin.

Michelin states that the innovation comprises three elements – 

1. A huge eight-metre-high inflatable Faraday cage, with a 900-sq mt footprint.
2. An inflatable mechanical mixer placed alongside the aircraft to mix the electromagnetic waves.
3. A system of inflatable coaxial insulation to provide an earth connection for the lightning strike.

Furthermore, as per the multinational tyre manufacturing company, the AirCaptif technology has several advantages. With its super light structure being easily transportable and capable of being installed directly in the aircraft’s assembly hangar, investment costs and trial time are significantly reduced. Moreover, the speed of installation is a real plus, states Michelin. Whereas it takes two years to build a conventional Faraday cage, this solution is operational in a single day.

Besides, future developments for the Trappes-based company involve enlarging the Bourges facility and starting industrial production early in 2024. According to Michelin, the choice of Michelin’s aeronautic site, celebrating 70 years of pioneering activity in the sector, will enable AirCaptif to take full advantage of the region’s aeronautic and defense ecosystem, and continue the group’s industrial experience. In addition, the geographic location of Bourges, situated midway between the technical teams in Trappes and Michelin’s R&D facility in Clermont-Ferrand, will further strengthen the existing synergies.

Sharing her views, Maude Portigliatti, Business Director – High Technology Materials, Michelin, and member of the Group’s executive committee, says, “The growth in AirCaptif’s activities is the result of the company’s extraordinary ability to innovate, and the partnership with Dassault is a shining example. AirCaptif, with the relevance of its technical solutions, is yet another example of Michelin’s savoir-faire in the use of leading-edge technological innovation and the strategic ambitions of the Group beyond the world of tyres.”

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Hankook Tire-sponsored TGL presented by SoFi, a US-based team golf league, is set to host its ninth through twelfth matches over two days beginning 23 February at the SoFi Center in Florida. As the league’s first-ever Official Tyre Partner and a Founding Partner, Hankook Tire is maximising its involvement by showcasing its unified global ‘Hankook’ brand across on-site LED displays, television advertising and broadcast coverage. This strategic presence reaches fans in approximately 150 countries, delivering premium brand value and creating a distinctive brand experience at the crossroads of mobility and sports while broadening consumer engagement.

The upcoming matches carry significant weight as TGL Season 2 approaches its playoff phase. On 23 February, Atlanta Drive GC will face a demanding doubleheader, first confronting Boston Common Golf followed by Los Angeles Golf Club. The opening contest presents a compelling standings battle, with Atlanta seeking to defend its top position against a Boston team that recently surged into second place after a decisive victory over The Bay Golf Club. Although Atlanta opened the season with consecutive wins to claim the lead, Boston has narrowed the gap based on holes won, intensifying the stakes. The subsequent match against Los Angeles proves equally critical, as Atlanta holds merely a two-point advantage over a team tied in holes won, meaning a defeat could trigger a standings reversal.

The following day features New York Golf Club in its own doubleheader, beginning against The Bay Golf Club before meeting Boston Common Golf. Currently occupying sixth place, New York aims to close ground on fifth-place Bay, while The Bay seeks to overcome early-season inconsistencies and build playoff momentum through back-to-back victories. The twelfth matchup places New York against second-place Boston, with only two points separating them. New York will depend on Matt Fitzpatrick, undefeated in Season 2 singles competition, to anchor its postseason push.

With merely three regular season matches remaining before the playoffs, the battle for top-four positioning has intensified considerably. Atlanta Drive GC maintains its lead atop the standings, pursued closely by Boston Common Golf, Los Angeles Golf Club and Jupiter Links GC. Meanwhile, The Bay Golf Club and New York Golf Club occupy fifth and sixth places, respectively, rendering every remaining contest crucial for postseason aspirations.

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Tipler convened dealers from across Brazil and Latin America in a live online broadcast in February using its annual convention to reward top performers, outline strategy and tighten alignment across its commercial truck tire retreading network.

Branded the 2026 Convention – Tipler Champions League, the virtual gathering connected business owners, managers and sales teams in what the company described as a pivotal moment for recognition and planning ahead of its next expansion cycle. The event spotlighted standout performances in 2025 with dealers evaluated on sales results, management standards, market growth and operational excellence.

Beyond awards, the convention doubled as a strategic roadmap session for 2026. Executives detailed commercial targets, marketing and market intelligence investments and new technical and management training initiatives. The company also signaled plans to expand regional operations and further develop its Tipler Champions League program, while sharpening its focus on innovation, efficiency gains, customer proximity and territorial expansion in key Latin American markets.

Leadership underscored the dealer network’s role in driving sustainable growth. “Our business model is built by many hands. Each dealer is a key player in our story. The convention is the moment to celebrate achievements and, above all, align our course so we can continue growing together,” said Jandrei Goldschmidt, Marketing Executive at Tipler.

The high-engagement broadcast reinforced integration across the network and a collective push to bolster competitiveness as Tipler works to consolidate its position among sector leaders. By linking partners, sharing operational and commercial priorities and recognising performance, the company signaled its intent to accelerate growth while maintaining a focus on excellence, dealer partnership and value creation for the transportation market across the region.

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DRC (Doctors of Rubber Compounding) is set to participate in the 2026 edition of Tire Technology Expo, a premier European event focused on tyre manufacturing materials and technology. The exhibition will take place in Hannover, Germany, from 3 to 5 March 2026.

Bringing over four and a half decades of expertise as a specialist custom compounder, DRC supplies advanced rubber compounds to tire producers worldwide. These formulations are designed for various tyre components, such as treads, sidewalls, innerliners and other technical parts. Beyond developing compounds and offering large-scale mixing capabilities, the company also manufactures semi-finished tyre-related goods, including calendered rubber and retreading materials. DRC provides comprehensive support throughout the entire process, from the initial formulation stage to final application, backed by in-house testing and scalable production to guarantee consistent quality, processing efficiency and supply reliability.

Attendees are invited to visit Stand C114 in Hall 20 to engage with the DRC team, explore custom compound development, address specific performance criteria for tyre materials and learn more about their full range of compounded and semi-finished products.

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Left Lane Auto, a tyre retail and automotive services provider based in Champaign, Illinois, has expanded its footprint through a new partnership with Don Foshay's Discount Tire & Alignment. The Maine-based business operates six locations offering comprehensive vehicle repair and maintenance and is the latest addition to Left Lane’s growing portfolio, which is backed by private equity firm Bertram Capital. The financial details of the deal have not been released.

Founded in 1982 by Don Foshay Sr with a single shop in South Portland, the company has since grown to include six locations and a team of more than 75 employees. Over the years, the business has earned multiple industry accolades while building a strong reputation under its established local brand. Its service offerings are extensive and include tyre sales and installation, wheel alignments, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, transmission work and repairs to exhaust, cooling and belt systems for a wide range of vehicles. The organisation has also invested in modern diagnostic and repair technology to support its commitment to dependable service.

This acquisition represents a significant milestone for Left Lane, bringing its total number of owned stores to over 80 since its inception in 2021. It also marks the first transaction completed following the strategic partnership announced between Left Lane and Bertram Capital in late 2025.

Parham Parastaran, CEO, Left Lane, said, "We are excited to have the opportunity to carry on the strong legacy and operation that the Foshay family has built in Maine, which will serve as a strong entry point into the state for our platform. We plan to retain all upper management and employees across all locations and are excited to continue to grow both the Don Foshay's brand and the broader Left Lane platform's presence across the New England area."

Don Foshay Jr said, "We had multiple buyers to pick from but found that Left Lane Auto was the best match for our team and our customers going forward. The further we've gotten into the transition, the happier we are with that decision."

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