The Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products, together with the assistance of the Export Development Board, conducted a two- day virtual workshop on Advanced Technology/Smart Manufacturing For The Rubber Product Industry In Sri Lanka, in December 2020. Despite the fact that the country was just raising its head from the deleterious aftermath of the first and second waves of Covid -19, the participation was beyond all expectations, thus indicating the weightage placed in keeping abreast of modern trends and moving with times by the industry community and the professionals and I presume that this is the current trend throughout the world.

As a member of the organising committee of the event and more as a hands-on person of the technologists of the not so modern generation, I realised that I was a curious and a rather passive observer of the currently fast unfolding industry scenario. The array of topics presented by local as well as overseas experts on their respective specialties was impressive. They covered Smart Energy Monitoring, IOT Built Industry Automation, Big Data Processing and applications, Conditioned based Monitoring for Maintenance, 3D/4D Printing, Virtual Product Design and Testing, Finite Element Analysis, and Product Failure Analysis.

It made me guessing with fascination, how much the information utilisation scenario in the manufacturing industry has metamorphosed during the past few decades since the times of two great discoveries/inventions, of Charles Babbage and Arthur. C. Clarke, that paved way for the evolution of the Information and Communications revolution. Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an extraordinarily talented scientist, mathematician, economist and engineer. He is best known today - as he was in his lifetime - for inventing two types of cogwheel calculating machines, the forerunners of the modern computers. It was Arthur C. Clarke. after the crest of World War II, from his base in Stratford-On-Avon, England, as a young officer in the Royal Air Force, who dabbled in science fiction writing, floated the idea of global communications satellites in a 1945 letter to the publication Wireless World. It will be of interest to learn that the latter made Sri Lanka his second home and contributed in no small way to the development of ICT and astronomy in our country during the sixties and seventies.

As I gathered, with my rather limited knowledge of ICT, that the common features, of the modern-day innovations are generating a vast amount of real time data on all key aspects of the value chain, and interfacing between the value adding activities. Automation and reducing the dependability on the human factor has been another significant trend. Another key driver has been the necessity for reliability, agility and robustness in delivering products and services to the customer in the ever-changing customer preferences, which are again fueled willfully through product promotion and creation of new needs through massive adverting campaigns and mass communications. Companies are increasingly embracing the innovative technologies, to enable business growth, wealth accumulation, contribution to the national economies, which has helped in achieving improved quality of life, particularly in the traditionally termed developed countries.

Right through his anthropogenic evolution, Homo Sapiens or the “thinking man” has been characterised by the use of his brain to find easier and faster ways of doing things, which was an absolutely vital advantage for his survival in the primitive hostile environment. Commencing with use of stone tools, discovery of fire, and iron, this trend has continued throughout the history of mankind. During the more recent period of the last three centuries, which culminated in the Industry 4.0, some key landmarks, which reflect the quest of the mankind to better lives, through increased and efficient resource utilisation can be identified.

Revolutions

This process began in Britain in the 18th century and from there spread to other parts of the world. Although used earlier by French writers, the term Industrial Revolution was first popularised by the English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain's economic development from 1760 to 1840. The first industrial revolution came with the advent of mechanisation, steam power and water power. This was followed by second industrial revolution which revolved around mass production and assembly lines using electricity. Henry Ford’s conveyor belt system was put into motion in December 1^st of 1913 in his Detroit manufacturing plant. Fully mechanised, or partially mechanised, assembly lines allowed Ford to offer a vehicle for a working family. One of his goals was to have a car that every family could own.

The car that every family would soon come to own was the Model T. His manufacturing plants would go on to produce over 15 million Model Ts and this is due almost entirely to his assembly line. In order to achieve a production of the Model T at such a high rate, he needed to break down the process of assembling the car to make it as efficient as possible to produce, while still being financially accessible.

The third industrial revolution came with electronics, IT systems and automation, which led to the fourth industrial revolution that is associated with cyber- physical systems. Some of the principles of which were the topics of the December Workshop. Generally speaking, Industry 4.0 describes the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in technology and processes within the manufacturing industry, including:

•  The internet of things (IoT)
• The industrial internet of things (IIoT)
• Cyber-physical systems (CPS)
• Smart manufacture
•  Smart factories
• Cloud computing
• Cognitive computing
• Artificial intelligence

This automation creates a manufacturing system whereby machines in factories are augmented with wireless connectivity and sensors to monitor and visualise an entire production process and make autonomous decisions. Wireless connectivity and the augmentation of machines will be greatly advanced with the full roll out of 5G

The fourth industrial revolution also relates to digital technologies that can create virtual versions of real-world installations, processes and applications. These can then be robustly tested to make cost-effective decentralised decisions. In short, this should allow for digital transformation and  for automated and autonomous manufacturing with joined-up systems that can cooperate with each other.

Black spots

It can thus be unanimously agreed that the emerging technologies have already resulted in tremendous benefits for mankind and that they have vast future potential in changing the entire human civilisation. While appreciating and accepting the usefulness of the technologies, I cannot refrain from contemplating on the black spots in the white cloth. The disadvantages of the digital technologies have been well documented throughout the world and some of these, include, data security, digital media manipulation, job insecurity, over reliance on gadgets, addiction, depersonalization, and social alienation, and stress related physical and mental illnesses and the list is not exhaustive. Diminishing of the human touch is considered by many, as a matter of grave concern, and its effect on the personal, ethical, family and social has already begun to reveal its dark side.

As an adaptive measure of the new normal mentality that followed the Covid-19 pandemic, “Social Distancing” intruded our day to day activates over the past one and half years. However, on thinking reflectively, it will be evident that Social Distancing actually had its beginnings in the first three industrial revolutions, while it got aggravated in the recent years. Dilemmas and debatable questions as to whether  dehumanisation is still progressing and what will be the outcome, if the current rate of rapid technology trend continues? These will become key challenges for the sociologists and sociopsychologists and the modern HR specialists. Prioritising automation and sub optimisation of the human resource, in the disguise of improving operational efficiency, as a business strategy of maintaining sustainability, could turn out to be short lived.

Over dependence on technology at the expense of losing the much-required human touch and interpersonal relationships, can be witnessed in many of the day-to-day activities, such as internet or online banking, bill payments, buying at super markets, home deliveries, and on-line webinars. I have personal experience of the short comings of on-line lecturing for students and on virtual workshops, which can only be utilised as a stop gap measure. As a person of the “old generation,” I find it an exhilarating experience to walk to the local bank, greet good morning to the staff, and having a friendly chat with the familiar cashier, while getting my transaction done. Some may equate such practices to lack of time management and productivity. Human interaction of this kind holds a special position in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, which has rich religious and cultural heritages, and adopting the new technologies as a panacea for improving all the aspects of efficiency and productivity in an effort be stay competitive can only be a short-term strategy.

It was Robert Frost, the American poet (1874-1963), who once philosophically remarked, “don’t ever take fence down, until you know why it was put up”

Obsolescence due to ineffective use or total non -use which we witness with machinery and equipment, may be applicable to the humans as well. It is said that the human body has about one hundred, vestigial organs, including the appendix, which have become nonfunctional, during the evolutionary process as a result on non-use and obsolescence. (TT)

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Bridgestone has celebrated a landmark achievement in the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), the world’s leading endurance motorcycle racing series. The BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM captured the title riding Bridgestone’s BATTLAX premium tyres, becoming the first European manufacturer ever to secure the championship. It also marked the seventh overall and sixth straight year that a Bridgestone-equipped team has claimed the EWC crown.

The Japanese tyre maker’s presence in the series dates back to 2017, when it began supporting full-season entrants with BATTLAX tyre engineered for grip, durability and predictable handling. In 2026, Bridgestone supplied 7 of the 17 full-season EWC class entrants. Its teams delivered a historic sweep, locking out the top five championship positions and, for the first time, claiming every podium place at each round.

The season tested tyres across extremes, from the cold opening 24 Hours Motos at Le Mans and variable weather at the 8 Hours of Spa Motos to rain and unseasonable cool at Suzuka and high heat and speed at the Bol d’Or finale. BATTLAX maintained consistent performance throughout, extending Bridgestone’s winning run to sixteen consecutive EWC races across four seasons.

Werner Daemen, Manager – BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM, said, "We are extremely proud to have achieved the world championship! Two years ago, we had the opportunity to work with Bridgestone, and to be honest, this was one of the keys to our victory. We are truly proud to work with such a professional company, and together with BMW, our team, and Bridgestone, we achieved this championship. We will definitely be back, and next year in Japan at Suzuka, we hope not to go for third place, but for first, and to compete again for the world championship. I want to thank everyone at Bridgestone – engineers, marketing, operations and all the people we have worked with. I hope to see you again next year. Thank you!"

Hiroshi Imai, Executive Officer, CPO (Chief Product Officer), Bridgestone Corporation, said, "First of all, I would like to send my congratulations to everyone at the BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM on winning the series championship! Also, I extend my sincere gratitude to all the fans who supported the races, every team that competed throughout the EWC season, event staff and everyone involved in organising the series, including FIM and the promoter EMP. With dramatically different conditions at each race, the BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM demonstrated outstanding adaptability and unity, delivering truly champion-worthy performances and inspiring fans around the world. We are also proud that, in the extreme challenge of EWC, we were able to work as one Bridgestone team to support these teams by providing BATTLAX tyres to maximise rider and machine performance. We will continue to refine our technologies at the racetrack and strive to develop and supply even higher-quality, higher-performance tyres so that, as a member of our partner teams, we can contribute to victory from the ground up."

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Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) threw its support behind Japan Festival Houston 2026, joining the weekend-long cultural showcase as both a sponsor and an active participant. The event served as a bridge between the company's Japanese origins and the Houston community it calls home.

Organised by the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), the two-day celebration gave visitors a window into Japanese culture. Attendees explored traditional and contemporary art, enjoyed live performances and authentic food, took part in family-oriented activities and browsed vendors selling Japanese merchandise and handcrafted items. The festival returns each year to honour Japanese culture in Houston while deepening ties between Japan and the United States.

KAI contributed as an Entertainment Underwriter sponsor, helping fund programming that made a weekend devoted to cultural connection, learning and community involvement possible. The occasion carried extra weight given that Kuraray reaches its 100th anniversary in 2026. Launched in Kurashiki, Japan, in 1926, the company evolved into a worldwide specialty chemical enterprise without losing its deep Japanese roots. For KAI's Houston-based employees, the festival became a way to honour that background and encourage cultural understanding close to home.

Over the course of the weekend, 21 KAI employees donated their time across various shifts, pitching in from Saturday morning until Sunday evening. Such involvement mirrors Kuraray America's wider dedication to supporting the communities where its workers reside and labour, and the company has backed the festival as a sponsor for several years running. KAI thanked every employee who volunteered, along with JASH for continuing to unite Houston through culture, education and meaningful interpersonal exchange, and offered particular gratitude to Mieko Davidson, Reiko Fuwa and Tomo Tani for their efforts.

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BKT has opened a 10,000 sq ft distribution facility in Sankagiri, Tamil Nadu, as the Indian tyre maker seeks to strengthen its position in the commercial vehicle radial segment in a key freight corridor.

The site, operated by authorised distributor Sri Jayanthi Roadways, is intended to improve product availability across eight markets — Salem, Sankagiri, Namakkal, Erode, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Karur — while enabling closer engagement with fleet operators and dealers.

Tamil Nadu is one of India’s largest industrial and logistics centres, with extensive road infrastructure and high freight movement. The company said these factors make the state a strategic market for commercial vehicle tyres.

Sankagiri, a major trucking hub linking Salem, Coimbatore and Kerala, has been selected to support distribution across southern India. The facility is expected to serve as a point of contact for fleet operators and channel partners, strengthening the group’s regional presence.

The opening was accompanied by a partner event attended by dealers, fleet operators and regional transport representatives. A flag-off ceremony for seven commercial vehicles fitted with BKT tyres was also held.

Representatives present included Satish Sharma, Senior President and Director for Business Development and Strategy at BKT, and Amitkumar Agarwal, National Sales Head for Commercial Vehicle Radial Tyres at BKT. Local industry figures, including N R S (a) N Kandhasamy of the Sankagiri Lorry Owners Association and P Shanmugam of the Sankagiri Taluk Bus Owners Association, also attended.

Agarwal said: “Tamil Nadu is one of BKT Tyres priority growth markets for the commercial vehicle tyre segment, given its strong transport ecosystem, developed infrastructure and mature fleet operator base. As we continue to expand our on-highway business in India, strengthening our presence in key freight and logistics hubs is critical to building closer relationships with customers and improving access to our products.

“Sankagiri's strategic location and deep-rooted transport community make it an important market for our growth ambitions in the region. Through our partnership with Sri Jayanthi Roadways, which brings over four decades of industry experience, we are creating a stronger platform to serve fleet operators, transporters and channel partners. This facility is an important step in our commitment to building a robust distribution network and expanding BKT Tyres commercial vehicle tyre footprint across South India.”

The move comes as the company expands its commercial vehicle radial portfolio in India, targeting demand from the country’s transport sector.

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Dunlop will continue as the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIM Endurance World Cup Superstock and FIM Production World Trophy classes through the end of the 2029 season. The three-year extension with Endurance Moto Promoter, promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship, preserves a role Dunlop has filled in Superstock since 2022 and in Production since that category's 2025 debut.

The agreement also maintains Dunlop's position as an Official Partner of the FIM EWC, a relationship that began in 2016. Teams across both classes will keep using the Dunlop KR slick range, receiving consistent performance, reliability and technical support whatever their size. Since 2022, the manufacturer has aided the steady progress of both grids in performance and competitive depth.

In the Formula EWC, where tyre choice stays open to all manufacturers, Dunlop will keep collaborating closely with several leading teams. It remains the most successful tyre brand in Championship history. The 2027 season opens with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, France, from 8 to 11 April 2027.

Wim Van Achter, Motorcycle Motorsport Manager EMEA, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “We are honoured to continue our partnership with the FIM Endurance World Championship and EMP as the exclusive tyre supplier for the Superstock and Production classes. EWC is a valuable arena for the active development of Dunlop’s KR racing tyres, which are available on the market for racers and track day riders. This partnership represents a stamp of approval for our tyres and a further incentive to continue developing the next generation of the Dunlop KR racing range in one of the most competitive racing environments.”

Claude Michy, President, Endurance Moto Promoter, said, “We are delighted to continue the longstanding partnership between the FIM EWC World Championship and Dunlop as the sole tyre manufacturer for the Superstock and Production classes. Endurance racing is a discipline that demands performance but also great consistency and complete trust between the teams and their technical partners. Dunlop has unique expertise and experience in this field and has always demonstrated its ability to meet the particularly high standards of the FIM EWC World Championship. This renewal reflects the quality of our collaboration and our shared commitment to keep promoting the championship. Above all, the main goal is to continue supporting the Superstock and Production teams as well as possible, thanks to a new allocation system.”

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