By Sharad Matade

What prompted you to acquire the TyreXpo series? How does the TyreXpo compliment Tarsus' events?

Our approach at Tarsus has always been to pursue growth through a careful blend of strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Since being acquired by Charterhouse Capital Partners last year, we have set ourselves some ambitious growth targets and have been focused on opportunities that will enable us to accelerate the pace of growth.

TyreXpo presented an attractive opportunity for us – we already have a strong automotive and aftermarket event portfolio in China and Southeast Asia, along with a strong footprint in the region. TyreXpo is well respected within the market and we could see plenty of scope to further develop the Singapore show in particular, especially through increased focus on our customer’s customers and bringing key international buyers to the show.

The acquisition comes at a time when the global automotive industry is going through a tough time. Many expos and events in the industry are either getting postponed or even cancelled? How do you see this as a challenge?

It’s vital that events and tradeshows continuously evolve to meet the needs of the industry and the customers that they serve. We pride ourselves in staying close to the markets we operate in, listening to the key operators and delivering events that meet our customers’ objectives. Whilst it’s true that many of the more established automotive shows have faced challenges in recent years, we have also witnessed the automotive sector increasing its presence at other “non-traditional” shows such as CES in Las Vegas. This really demonstrates that the industry wants to be where the customers are and that’s what we will deliver at TyreXpo going forward; along with really great content and a highly focused environment that’s conducive to doing business.

How different will TyreXpo be from the past, and what will be the focus?

The focus will be on delivering a show that truly meets the industry’s needs. We will actively recruit key buyers to attend the show as well as placing lots of emphasis on event content, working in tandem with relevant associations, media and partners to deliver thought-leading content for the exhibitors and buyers. We’re also moving TyreXpo Asia to a fantastic venue – the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

A significant challenge for any organiser is to get visitors from diversified regions/ markets. We also see growing numbers of expos and other events across the globe. What will be your efforts to get visitors from different markets for the TyreXpo?

We plan to focus investment on a best-in-class hosted buyer programme to attract the top 150 tyre buyers from across the globe as well as developing an innovative affiliate programme to encourage personal recommendations and invitations. Interested buyers can find out more about the hosted buyer programme on our website.

What are the challenges in organising expos for the auto industry?

In our experience the challenges in organising B2B events are the same across most industries. We operate globally, in numerous verticals including aviation, medical, labels, travel and housewares – and our approach is the same irrespective of the industry we are delivering events for – there can be numerous shows competing for the same “dollar” so we always focus on our customers’ ROI and delivering quality, relevant buyers. Ultimately that is how the value of an event is always measured and ensures customers come back to us year after year.

How do you evaluate the global tyre market?

Undoubtedly the tyre industry is facing a challenging time and is being affected by rubber prices, US-China trade relations and the current Covid-19 situation impacting production. Nonetheless, we consider the tyre industry to be a particularly resilient one and the demand for tyres is typically quite well insulated against economic downturns. Overall, we are very optimistic about the market; the outlook for consumption along with growth in both applications and end users looks very promising.

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading tyre makers in the country, has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of the made-in-India for India and the world Apollo Aspire 5 ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre.

Available in 17-inch and above rim size with W/Y speed rating, the company looks to tap into the demand for Uthe HP tyre range, especially in the luxury car segment. The company shared that the UHP tyre has been designed with Dynamic Contour Technology for superior physical and acoustic comfort, and Tri-Flex Compound for high-speed grip and stability.

The electric vehicle-ready Apollo Aspire 5 tyre range has undergone extensively testing across Europe, India, Japan and Korea, and has been tailored to meet the demanding needs from Indian road conditions. Furthermore, the Apollo Aspire 5 will also be introduced in global markets such as Europe and Asia.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice-President, Commercial (India, SAARC and Southeast Asia), Apollo Tyres, said, “Performance today goes beyond speed; premium car buyers now demand a quieter, more refined driving experience, especially with the rise of electric crossover and luxury SUVs. At Apollo Tyres, we have been preparing for this shift with cutting-edge R&D, global benchmarking and technologies tailored for evolving mobility. Aspire 5 is a testament of our commitment to lead this new era of performance.”

The tyre maker stated that the new range of products have been co-developed with leading OEMs, deep industry insight with real-world consumer feedback.

The Apollo Aspire 5 tyre range offers better control, superior ride comfort and impressively low noise levels. The tyre will be produced at the company’s state-of-the-art plant in Andhra Pradesh.

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 The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is convening its annual Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors programme this week, sending industry professionals to Capitol Hill to press lawmakers on policies supporting domestic manufacturing, road safety and sector innovation.

The two-day event, running from 24–25 June, brings together representatives from USTMA’s 11 member companies — including engineers, business managers and marketers — to meet with members of Congress and their staff. The discussions are expected to focus on key legislative priorities such as expanding tyre retreading in the U.S., advancing consumer safety initiatives, and passing a congressional resolution in support of National Tire Safety Week.

“The U.S. tyre manufacturing industry is a vibrant engine of innovation, enabling safe and sustainable mobility for consumers and businesses. Our industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, supporting more than 800,000 jobs and keeping up with evolving consumer expectations on reliability, safety and environmental impact,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.

The ambassadors, who live in the same communities where the industry operates, are set to highlight how national legislation impacts local jobs and infrastructure. USTMA members operate 55 manufacturing facilities across 16 states and contribute to a $170.6 billion annual economic footprint, the association said.

The event follows a letter sent by USTMA to Congressional leaders in February outlining the sector’s legislative agenda. The group is advocating for increased investment in tyre innovation, transparency measures for consumers, and job creation through infrastructure and sustainability-focused policies.

“Our Ambassadors represent the manufacturing workers who power the industry every day, and we are honoured by their advocacy for the tyre manufacturing industry and the communities it supports,” Luke added.

The initiative reflects USTMA’s broader push to align policymakers with the industry’s goals of maintaining global competitiveness while securing long-term growth for U.S. manufacturing.

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Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres has been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, ranking 98th on the prestigious global list of 500 companies demonstrating outstanding environmental and social responsibility.

The second edition of the rankings, compiled by TIME Magazine in collaboration with data firm Statista, evaluated companies based on verified sustainability commitments, including UN Global Compact membership and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.

Assessment criteria also included performance ratings from respected organisations such as CDP and MSCI, alongside evaluations of sustainable business practices, transparency, and environmental and social stewardship.

Nokian Tyres has positioned itself as a sustainability pioneer within the tyre industry, driving sustainable development both within its operations and throughout its value chain. The company’s environmental leadership dates back three decades, with its Finnish factory becoming the world’s first tyre manufacturing facility to achieve environmental certification in 1995.

“We create tyres that are safe, innovative and sustainable. Nokian Tyres has been a pioneer in sustainability in the tyre industry for over three decades. As early as 1995, our factory in Finland was the first tyre factory in the world to gain an environmental certification. We are proud of our track record and want our sustainability actions to have a meaningful impact. The most recent example of this is our new factory in Romania, the first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory in the world,” said Paolo Pompei, president and chief executive of Nokian Tyres.

The company’s latest sustainability milestone is its new Romanian manufacturing facility, which represents the world’s first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory, demonstrating Nokian Tyres’ continued commitment to environmental innovation in industrial manufacturing.

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Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinochem has achieved a significant milestone, with its brand value surpassing 500 billion yuan for the first time, according to rankings released at the 22nd World Brand Conference in Beijing.

The World Brand Lab announced that Sinochem ranked seventh on its annual “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list for 2025, with the company’s brand value climbing from 475.906 billion yuan in 2024 to over 500 billion yuan this year.

This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Sinochem brand has secured a position on the prestigious ranking. The company’s property development arm, Jinmao, also featured prominently, placing 170th with a brand value of 74.186 billion yuan.

The World Brand Lab’s methodology evaluates brand worth through three key metrics: financial performance, brand strength, and consumer behaviour analysis, employing a “present value of earnings method” for valuation. The ranking is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative assessments in Chinese brand research.

Sinochem’s consistent performance has been particularly notable since 2004 when it first entered the top ten of the annual list. Following the establishment of China National Chemical Corporation on 8 May 2021, the enhanced Sinochem brand has maintained its seventh position for four consecutive years, demonstrating sustained growth in brand value and international market recognition.

The company attributed its success to implementing comprehensive brand management strategies aligned with government directives on brand development. Sinochem stated that it will continue to leverage high-quality brand building and valuable brand assets to strengthen its core functions and competitiveness, supporting the company’s long-term development objectives.

The World Brand Conference, now in its 22nd year, serves as a key platform for evaluating China’s corporate brand landscape and tracking the evolution of the country’s most significant commercial entities.

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