Pirelli Celebrates 20 Years Of Collaboration With Sacs Tecnorib

Pirelli Celebrates 20 Years Of Collaboration With Sacs Tecnorib

Pirelli hosted an exclusive event at Villa Bicocca degli Arcimboldi, its historic Milan headquarters, to celebrate two decades of collaboration with Sacs Tecnorib that gave rise to the Maxi-Ribs line, redefining nautical excellence by blending performance, design and unmistakable identity – bringing Pirelli’s racing heritage from the road to the open sea.

Over 20 years, this partnership has flourished, with over 1,000 Pirelli-branded boats delivered to discerning owners across 30+ nationalities. From the sun-drenched coasts of Florida to the crystal waters of the Mediterranean, these vessels have carved a legacy of innovation and style. Supported by the Sacs Tecnorib distribution network in 19 countries, the brand has achieved annual revenues exceeding EUR 20 million for the past two years.

The story began with the Pirelli P ZERO™ 770, a model that introduced a bold new aesthetic – defined by taut lines, a dynamic hull and the unmistakable P ZERO tyre tread on its tubulars. This design language became the hallmark of the entire Pirelli marine collection. The Pirelli 1400, launched in 2007, took inspiration from offshore racing and earned the prestigious Red Dot ‘Best of the Best’ Award, cementing the brand’s reputation for cutting-edge design. By 2012, the Pirelli 1100 Cabin emerged as the most successful cabin cruiser in the lineup, merging sleek aesthetics with unmatched comfort.

In 2017, the Pirelli 1900 made its grand debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival, standing as the largest and most formidable model in the range – a maxi-RIB engineered for speed, stability and luxury. The brand’s evolution continued in 2019 with the introduction of jet tenders, compact yet powerful vessels designed for versatility. The year 2020 marked a new chapter with the Pirelli 42, the first walkaround model, offering seamless connectivity between spaces and a truly immersive on-board experience. Today, the Pirelli speedboats collection has expanded to include the 30, 35 and the flagship Pirelli 50 – a masterpiece of engineering and elegance, embodying the pinnacle of the brand’s vision.

Marco Maria Tronchetti Provera, SVP – Pirelli Design & Assets Conversion, said, “The partnership with Sacs Tecnorib is a virtuous example oriented towards excellence and for this reason capable of lasting over time. Together we have been able to transfer the values ​​of the Pirelli brand such as innovation, sportiness and glamour to the nautical world, with a range of boats that has redefined the standards of the sector. This anniversary celebrates not only the results achieved but also the strength of an agreement that looks to the future with ambition, determination and the desire to continue to grow.”

Gianni De Bonis, Founder, Tecnorib, said, “Twenty years of close cooperation on a complex project is an achievement that fills us with pride. Since the beginning we have tried to interpret the attributes of the Pirelli brand by adapting them to the nautical world, with an innovative and international approach.”

Matteo Magni, President & CEO, Sacs Tecnorib, said, “This anniversary renews a successful partnership and launches us towards new challenges in strategic continuity and with even greater attention to the issues of sustainability and international development.”

Continental Wins 2025 Kalmar Supplier Award For Sustainability

Continental Wins 2025 Kalmar Supplier Award For Sustainability

Continental’s dedication to comprehensive environmental and social responsibility has been formally recognised with the 2025 Kalmar Sustainability Award. The honour was conferred at Kalmar’s Supplier Day event in Szczecin, Poland, following a rigorous independent evaluation.

Continental distinguished itself by earning the highest score on Kalmar’s supplier sustainability scorecard, which measures performance in critical areas like responsible sourcing, data transparency, hazardous substance compliance and active participation in sustainability initiatives.

This partnership is operationalised through Continental’s role as the premium supplier of V.ply and radial tyres for Kalmar’s port logistics vehicles, which include reach stackers, terminal tractors and container handlers. The collaboration is strengthened by a shared vision for a carbon-neutral future. Continental implements this vision by focusing on the entire tyre lifecycle, from employing energy-efficient production and sustainable materials to designing long-lasting products like the TerminalMaster tyre.

Digital tools such as ContiConnect further this mission by optimising tyre pressure and health, which reduces fuel consumption and extends tyre life, thereby minimising the overall environmental footprint. This award celebrates a synergistic alliance built on a mutual commitment to innovation and superior quality standards.

Christian Berner, Global Key Account Manager for Port Operations at Continental, said, “We are honoured to receive this award from Kalmar, a valued customer with whom we have enjoyed a strong partnership for more than 15 years. This award is a testament to our shared values: a strong commitment to sustainability and lifecycle responsibility as demonstrated in our yearly sustainability report.”

Rapper Ice Cube And Goodyear Blimp Unite For Anniversary Tour

Rapper Ice Cube And Goodyear Blimp Unite For Anniversary Tour

In a unique cultural partnership, Goodyear and American rapper Ice Cube are collaborating throughout the year to celebrate his classic hits, including a notable lyric from his 1993 single: Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp and it read, 'Ice Cube's a Pimp'. The campaign connects the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp with Ice Cube's Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude tour.

The collaboration officially launched on 24th August with a blimp flyover at the BIG3 Championship basketball finals in Orlando, a league founded by the artist. This continues the airship's storied tradition of appearing at major events. The partnership will extend to select concerts on Ice Cube's upcoming tour. Attendees in cities including Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles and Cleveland will experience the iconic Goodyear Blimp both in the sky above the venues and through integrated elements inside the arenas, offering fans a distinctive concert experience. This initiative brings to life the classic lyric, merging music history with a century of aviation legacy.

Ice Cube said, "From the beginning, I always thought you had to dream big if you really wanted to make it big. The idea of the Goodyear Blimp championing my name was a metaphor for the sky being the limit, yet here we are with Goodyear as a partner and the blimp flying in the Orlando skies, saying, 'Ice Cube's a Pimp!'. I'm honoured to have Goodyear sponsoring my Truth to Power tour, where we will take people through a musical journey over my four-decade career."

Doug Grassian, Vice President – Global External Communications, Social Media and Partnerships, Goodyear, said, "When Ice Cube referenced the Goodyear Blimp in his iconic song, it became part of music history and made a cultural impact. Aligning together for his upcoming tour feels like we are bringing that lyric to life, both literally and figuratively, for fans across generations."

Fire Disrupts Contec Production And Operations

Fire Disrupts Contec Production And Operations

In an unfortunate incident, a fire broke out at Contec’s tyre facility in Szczecin during the night of 23-24 August. The company confirms that all 10 employees on site were safely evacuated thanks to the effective response of emergency services, with no injuries reported. While the situation is now under control, the incident resulted in significant material damage and a complete halt to production operations.

The company has expressed profound disappointment at the damage to an installation that had operated safely for over a decade. The timing is especially difficult given recent operational achievements. As an independent entity, Contec had successfully been converting 85 percent of end-of-life tyres into circular raw materials for new tyre production. This process had established a key part of the circular ecosystem within tyre manufacturing, making the current interruption to this sustainable work particularly challenging. The company is now assessing the full impact of the event.

Krzysztof Wróblewski, CEO and CTO, Contec, said, “Our full attention is now focused on our team, ensuring their well-being, our clients to help them find solutions, as well as assessing the situation and our post-incident operations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible support and concern we have received. Your kindness means a great deal to us during this challenging time. We are aware that this is a difficult situation not only for our company and shareholders but for the entire industry. We will provide updates regarding any impact on our operations on an individual basis as more information becomes available. Furthermore, we are committed to sharing our findings with others in the industry, as we believe that increasing safety standards benefits everyone.”

TyreSafe Honours India's ATMA With First-Ever International Award

TyreSafe Honours India's ATMA With First-Ever International Award

The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has received a historic Special Recognition Award from UK-based tyre safety charity, TyreSafe. This marks the first time the organisation has presented an international award, highlighting the global resonance of ATMA’s extensive efforts in promoting tyre safety across India.

TyreSafe’s award specifically commended ATMA for its profound dedication and highly innovative approach. The association’s multifaceted initiatives have successfully educated over 20,000 participants and conducted inspections on more than 30,000 tyres. A cornerstone of this effort has been the Ideathons programme, which engages youth to develop creative concepts and inspire future road safety advocates, aligning perfectly with TyreSafe’s global vision for safer roads.

This recognition follows years of expansive activity by ATMA and its technical arm, the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC). Their nationwide outreach has included over 200 safety activations, such as roadside clinics, inspection zones at petrol pumps and workshops for schools and universities. They have forged significant institutional partnerships, providing comprehensive training for over 1,000 tanker drivers in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation and working with various state transport departments.

Campaigns on major expressways have involved inspecting thousands of vehicles and distributing safety materials, while continuous education is provided through webinars, social media and publications. Supported by its member companies, including Apollo, Bridgestone, CEAT, JK Tyre and MRF, ATMA remains dedicated to scaling this crucial outreach. The association continues to urge all stakeholders – from vehicle users to policymakers – to join this vital movement, reinforcing that tyres are not just components but essential life-safety systems.

Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA, said, “We are immensely proud that TyreSafe has recognised ATMA’s work in tyre safety. This award underscores our commitment to elevating public awareness and encouraging responsible tyre maintenance through engagement with motorists and institutional partnerships. Our journey continues with the shared vision of making roads safer across India.”

Sudershan Gusain, Head – Tyre Safety Awareness, ATMA/ITTAC, said, “This recognition by TyreSafe validates our extensive grassroots efforts: from petrol pump tyre clinics and university workshops to Ideathons and expressway campaigns. Educating over 20,000 people and inspecting 30,000 tyres is just the beginning. We will keep amplifying our message: proper tyre maintenance is crucial not just for vehicle performance but for saving lives.”