Test Industry, a company in the portfolio of the fund IGI Investimenti Sei (IGI Private Equity), has announced its entry into the German market by acquiring two companies -- TS TestingService GmbH and TS Gim GmbH, both belonging to the TS Group GmbH. 

With the acquisitions, Test Industry has boosted its international market for the design and production of test benches for industrial, end-of-line and laboratory testing, with a particular focus on hydraulics, mechanics, automotive and aerospace sectors, the company said in a statement. 

Besides, the group's turnover is expected to be more than EUR 50 million, compared to a turnover of about EUR 35 million in 2021. It will also consolidate its strategic value in automotive and aerospace testing. 

The test benches for transmission shafts, core business of TS GiM, will expand the Bimal product range, while the wheel and tyre test benches, the core business of TS TestingService, will reinforce and integrate the Leonardo product line positioning, the release said. 

The company said the transaction will also enhance the levels of service and after-sales by the Test Industry group to German customers, as well as strengthening its commercial presence in the Far East, particularly in China, India and South Korea. 

Paolo Mastrostefano, CEO, Test Industry, said, "The double acquisition will allow Test Industry to grow internationally and establish itself in new European markets. Now we can focus on a greater reinforcement and organisation of management so as to adequately support the company's growth path.  

Angelo Mastrandrea, partner of IGI Private Equity and Group President, said, “The IGI fund with the support of all the financial and industrial shareholders of the group, has always believed in the growth and enhancement of the company because it considers Test Industry as having the perfect know-how to become an Italian excellence abroad. Now the goal is to consolidate results and continue on the path of further growth, both internally and through new acquisitions." 

Following the deal, the investment vehicle Thalia, with the shareholders IGI Investimenti Sei and BNG Holding, holds around 42 percent of the share capital of Test Industry, Equilybra and GMN hold 18 percent and 23 percent respectively, while the management has a 17 percent share, the release added. (TT)

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Lazada, a major e-commerce player in Southeast Asia, has entered a strategic collaboration with Michelin to transform how drivers buy tyres online. By merging digital commerce capabilities with Michelin’s mobility expertise, the partnership seeks to improve operational efficiency, build consumer confidence and simplify the entire purchasing process across the region.

A pilot programme will launch in Thailand during the first quarter of 2026, featuring a dedicated Michelin flagship store on LazMall. From there, the initiative will extend to other Southeast Asian markets. The companies plan to co‑invest in a framework that streamlines tyre buying on LazMall by incorporating Michelin’s authorised distributors into Lazada’s ecosystem. This integration supports better inventory control, guarantees product authenticity and widens customer reach. Educational campaigns promoting road safety and proper tyre maintenance are also part of the plan.

As part of the agreement, Michelin will onboard its authorised local partners and distributors onto Lazada’s platform, giving them access to Lazada’s regional customer base. Lazada will further support Michelin’s loyalty efforts through its membership programme, bridging offline and online interactions. This aligns with Michelin’s broader offline‑to‑online strategy while reinforcing product authenticity and service quality for drivers throughout the region.

Varitha Kiatpinyochai, CEO, Lazada Thailand, said, “This partnership with Michelin reflects Lazada’s commitment to building a high-trust premium eCommerce platform that goes beyond transactions. By combining Michelin’s global leadership in mobility and safety with Lazada’s technology, logistics and regional know-how, we are creating a more integrated journey that gives consumers greater confidence, convenience and peace-of-mind.”

Paul Perriniaux, Vice President for Sales, B2C, Michelin Asia Pacific, said, “This partnership lets us deliver that promise digitally: clear guidance, authentic products and seamless after sales support, all anchored in Michelin’s vision for safer, long-lasting and more sustainable mobility. By working with Lazada, we will shape a meaningful, end to end journey that puts consumers first – before, during, and long after their purchase.”

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS was honoured at the sixth Endangered Species Day ceremony, which took place on 1 April 2026 at the Chollipo Arboretum in Taean. The company received a certificate recognising its sponsorship of endangered species conservation. This annual event, organised by the National Institute of Ecology, has been running since 2021 with the goal of increasing public awareness about the protection of threatened species. The institute also runs a special recognition programme that celebrates corporate contributions to conservation efforts.

Since signing an agreement with the National Institute of Ecology in 2022, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been acknowledged for its ongoing commitment to preserving biodiversity. The firm planted 2,000 specimens of Veronica pusanensis, a Class II endangered wild plant and has been listed as an official conservation sponsor since 2023. The company has also focused on safeguarding essential pollinators like bees. In 2023, it created a pollinator garden at the Mulbeodeul Ecological Experience Learning Center in Seocheon, followed by another in 2024 at the Ulsan Climate Crisis Response Education Center, where nectar rich plants such as canola and buckwheat help sustain bee populations and reproduction.

Additionally, the company tackles threats to biodiversity through regular removal of invasive species. Since 2023, it has annually cleared harmful plants including Sicyos angulatus and Humulus japonicus from Yubu Island in Seocheon, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. These persistent efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to protecting both flora and fauna, from endangered wild plants to critical pollinators, while also managing ecological threats to preserve natural heritage areas.

An ESG official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS said, “We are honoured to receive this recognition for our efforts in endangered species conservation. We will continue to work closely with the National Institute of Ecology to further expand and strengthen our conservation initiatives.”

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Kumho Tire USA has renewed its commitment to Formula DRIFT by extending its sponsorship for another three years. For the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, the company has assembled a formidable roster of six elite drivers to represent Team KUMHO. This group includes Jeff Jones, Andy Hateley, Rome Charpentier, Jack Shanahan, Ryan Litteral and Cody Buchanan. Each of them will compete on KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres, a model specifically developed to withstand the punishing conditions of high level competitive drifting.

Jeff Jones returns for his third season with KUMHO and his 18th in the PRO Championship, more determined than ever to reach the podium and build on his legacy as a drifting pioneer. He is also committed to mentoring the next generation of drivers. Andy Hateley, known as the Drift Wizard, brings over two decades of experience as both a driver and builder, entering his third PRO season and third with KUMHO. Rome Charpentier, a Southern California native who began chasing his racing dreams at age 30, has achieved multiple podium finishes worldwide and is starting his second year with KUMHO.

Jack Shanahan, who earned Formula DRIFT PRO 2025 Rookie of the Year on KUMHO tyres, now aims for the championship podium in 2026. Hailing from Ireland, he started racing at 10 and has won multiple international titles in hot rod racing, tarmac rallying and drifting. Ryan Litteral, with over a decade of Formula DRIFT experience, is known for his aggressive yet composed driving style and grassroots roots; 2026 will be his first season with KUMHO. Cody Buchanan, the 2025 PROSPEC Champion and the first driver from North Dakota to earn a Formula DRIFT license, joins KUMHO for his PRO rookie year, bringing consistency under pressure and fan favourite status to the championship chase.

Entering its 23rd season, Formula DRIFT continues to be motorsport's fastest rising discipline, capturing a young audience with over 85 percent of fans aged 18 to 44. Attendance has grown exponentially, and the series now commands more than five and a half million social media followers. By partnering with this energetic and rapidly expanding sport, Kumho Tire taps into a deeply engaged community, reinforcing its image as a premium brand choice in a competitive market.

Shawn Denlein, President of Sales and Marketing, said, "As one of the most popular motorsports in the United States for millennial and Gen Z generations, Formula DRIFT offers an unparalleled platform to showcase the ultra-high-performance capabilities of KUMHO tyres and we are thrilled to be an Official Tyre sponsor through 2029. We are also incredibly proud to partner with an elite lineup of Formula DRIFT PRO drivers in 2026, equipping them with cutting-edge tyres as they push the limits of skill and precision on the track."

Ryan Sage, President, Formula DRIFT, said, "KUMHO has continued to engage with Formula DRIFT in a way that emphasises a strong manufacturer-to-event relationship. Having partnered with teams in a thoughtful and strategic way, its effort drives a powerful narrative throughout the season. And KUMHO tyres appear both competitive and reliable, allowing the teams to push hard on the track against top products from their main rivals. This helps the athletes who are in an extreme situation, going sideways with smoke, walls and fellow competitors just inches away.”

2026 Formula DRIFT Schedule:

• Round 1: Streets of Long Beach (10–11 April, Long Beach, Calif.)
• Round 2: Road to the Championship (7–9 May, Atlanta, Georgia)
• Round 3: Scorched (29–30 May, Orlando, Florida)
• Round 4: Battle at the Springs (18–20 June, Stafford, Connecticut)
• Round 5: Midwest Mayhem (30 July–1 August, Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Round 6: Throwdown (21–22 August, Seattle, Washington)
• Round 7: High Stakes (24–26 September, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Round 8: Shoreline Showdown (23–24 October, Long Beach, Calif.)

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Singapore-based Radar Tyres has entered into a multi-year partnership with the Texas Rangers baseball team. The idea is to increase the market visibility and dealer engagement for the tyre brand across North America.

The partnership allows Radar Tyres to utilise the Texas Rangers' platform to coordinate with distributors and retailers. The initiative follows a similar strategic partnership with South African Cricket, as the brand seeks to expand its global footprint.

At present, Radar Tyres distributes passenger and light truck tyres in over 80 countries.

Rob Montasser, Vice-President for Radar Tyres, North America, said, “We’re excited to partner with the Texas Rangers, an organisation that represents excellence at the highest level. This partnership gives us a unique opportunity to engage with our dealers and customers in a more impactful way, while continuing to build the Radar brand across key markets like Texas.”

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