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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Gurugram-headquartered tyre major Apollo Tyres has announced the appointment of Mahalakshmi Ramaswami as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, effective immediately, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Ramaswami’s appointment was approved by the board of directors following a recommendation from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Prior to joining Apollo Tyres, she most recently served as the Head of HR for the Southeast Asia Cluster based in Singapore at Mondelez International.

She brings over two decades of experience across multinational organisations spanning fast-moving consumer goods, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and consulting sectors.

During her tenure at Mondelez, Ramaswami is credited to have a played pivotal role as the HR Director for India Region in the business turnaround by aligning people strategy with organisational objectives.

She also has held leadership roles at prominent Indian and multinational companies including Bharti Group, Ranbaxy, Ballarpur Industries and EY.

Ramaswami holds an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (Hons.) from Delhi University.

On the other hand, as part of the Management Restructuring at Apollo Tyres, Dipankar Ghosh, Group Head of HR Business Partnership for Manufacturing & Projects, will no longer be part of the senior management structure as defined under securities regulations, effective 16 July.

The restructuring reflects Apollo Tyres’ strategic focus on strengthening its human capital capabilities as the company navigates competitive pressures in both domestic and international markets.

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Bridgestone India has presented the European Alignment Certificate to the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), recognising the successful completion of their Rolling Resistance (RR) Lab Alignment. The certificate was presented to Dr Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, by Rajarshi Moitra, Deputy Managing Director of Bridgestone India, during a ceremony attended by senior leaders from both organisations.

This milestone strengthens the partnership between Bridgestone and ARAI, India’s leading automotive R&D institution for testing and standardisation. Rolling resistance plays a crucial role in enhancing fuel efficiency, aligning with both organisations’ commitment to advancing tyre technology. The certification underscores their shared dedication to fostering innovation, improving testing capabilities and promoting sustainable mobility solutions in India.

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Yokohama Rubber has been recognised for its sustainability leadership with continued inclusion in three prestigious FTSE Russell ESG indexes. The company marks its 21st consecutive year on the FTSE4Good Index Series, a global benchmark for responsible investing. Additionally, it maintains its ninth straight year on the FTSE Blossom Japan Index and fourth year on the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index – both key indicators of Japanese ESG excellence endorsed by Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

These indexes, developed by London Stock Exchange Group's FTSE Russell, help investors identify companies with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Yokohama Rubber's sustained inclusion reflects its long-term commitment to sustainable business practices.

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The fourth round of the 2025 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series, a racing competition hosted by Italian supercar brand Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A and powered by Hankook Tire, will take place from 18 to 20 July at INJE SPEEDIUM in Gangwon Province. As the exclusive tyre supplier, Hankook Tire continues to elevate Korean motorsports through its partnership with Lamborghini, showcasing its high-performance Ventus racing tyres on the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2.

The 3.91-km INJE SPEEDIUM circuit, featuring 19 corners and a 40-metre elevation change, demands exceptional tyre performance under extreme conditions, including high-speed straights and scorching summer temperatures. Hankook’s Ventus tyres are engineered to deliver superior grip, durability and heat resistance, ensuring peak performance in challenging racing environments.

Beyond the races, Hankook will host the ‘Ventus Experience’, inviting European automotive influencers to test the Ventus Super Sports line and explore its advanced R&D facilities.

The 2025 Lamborghini Super Trofeo spans Asia, Europe and North America, with six rounds per series. Top contenders will advance to the Grand Final in Misano, Italy, this November, competing for the season championship.

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