As far as Quality Management System (QMS) certification is concerned, my first exposure was to ISO 9000: 1994, about seven years after the first ISO 9000 standard emerged from the former BS 5750. The 20 + auditable QMS requirements has resulted in a bewildering and voluminous mass of documentations. It was virtually a system of documents, contrary to a documented system. According to the standard, the company was expected to establish, implement and maintain a documented procedure for all the auditable requirements of the standard. It was a period when the standard was spreading like bush fire, creating a gold mine for Consultants who thrived on the ignorance of the client companies. Preparation and maintenance of the documentation alone, engaged considerable managerial time, and hence the tendency to consider ISO 9000 based QMs as an area separate from the Quality Assurance and other operational functions which has still continued to the present day. This created some dichotomy between the ISO Department and the other functional sections resulting in conflicts. On doing the QMS audits, as an independent auditor for many companies, I have the experience of being confronted with a cart-load of files and documents. This was of course before, the soft copy methodology firmly got established. Many of the External Auditors, spent considerable time, in checking Document and Records, in scrutinizing document reference and revision numbers of even the less significant documents and formats, rather than concentration on the more important requirements. In this respect, I have a great respect for one of the very senior officers of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, whose approach was to study the operational relationships and their effectiveness.

The transition in to ISO 9001:2000 saw some very significant and far-reaching changes, which the industries, took about one to two years to fully realize. It was a challenge for the auditors and the Certification bodies as well. A careful scrutiny of the eight principles of quality management, will show that they are nothing else but common business sense. The eight principles are:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Involvement of people
• Process approach
• Systems approach to management
• Continual improvement
• Factual approach to decision making
• Mutually beneficial supplier relations.

 A casual glance at the principles, will reveal that it is about common sense of good managerial practices., irrespective of whether one goes for certification or not. However, it was an uphill task to grapple these concepts and integrate them holistically in to the quality management systems. Process approach in very simple terms means how to relate the inputs to outputs through the value adding conversions and how to control the activities, realize the desired results. It is directly related to the traditional definition of productivity, namely the ratio of out puts to inputs. What was difficult to comprehend was the fact that, the other seven quality management principles also provide inputs for the process approach. As an example, the auditors found it a grey area when it comes to evaluating leadership, in the context of the process approach. Regarding the establishment of the Quality Policy, which in turn is a requirement under leadership, I have seen many quality polices with attractive wordings which more often serve as show pieces. Very few companies have used the quality policy to provide direction for the setting up of quality objectives. One of the meaningful but concise quality policies I have seen is “We do everything, correctly, right first time at all times’’.

While the 2008 version of the ISO 9001 standard consisted of some notional changes only, the 2015 version signified a complete change of the concept of quality stressing the importance of quality in business strategy, by considering the impacts of external and internal factors and the expectations of internal and external parties on quality and including risk management as an important aspect of quality. Although the prime focus on ISO is product or service quality, companies cannot ignore the impact on quality, which covers product quality (Q), Price (P), and Delivery (D). The recent impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on the above aspect of quality, was amply seen throughout the world. The above requirements under the Organization Context, is a move in the right direction, in integrating quality in to all aspects of the business. However, most companies and even auditors, consider this in isolation as another requirement of the ISO 9001, which need minimum compliance. Similar comments can have made on the Identification of the risks and opportunities of the operational processes.

Product and service quality is used by most companies as means of maximizing the profit. The Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, Milton Friedman in 1970, stated that the sole responsibility of a business is to “use its resources to increase its profits. As a result of the rapid growth in consumerism, both locally and globally, business firms operate in a challenging and continually changing business environment. The rapid change is supported by rapidly expanding technology, and particularly of information technology. Dynamic organizations are making serious efforts to keep abreast of developments, in the changing business environment, while many traditional and conservative organizations are failing. Change has become inevitable.”

While we cannot find any fault with this approach, one cannot overlook the Social and Environmental bottom lines, which together with the Economic bottom-line, constitute the Triple Bottom of Sustainable development. The role of quality management on the social and environmental bottom lines, is a concept that has great potential in the modern-day concept. The reduction of scarp and rejects, especially in the tyre industry, will improve the environmental performance, while reducing the health and fire risks, often caused by irresponsible dumping.

 Internal and external communications under the requirement 7.0, Support of the ISO 9001 and 14001:2015 standards are another area where adequate attention has been given. Despite the great advances in ICT, we can trace miscommunications as the root cause of most of the Non- conformance report raised during the QMS audits.

John Ruskin, the English author, (1819 -1900 ) once said, “ Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligence effort.” I have seen this famous quote adorning the walls in some offices of CEOs and Senior Managers. However, the perennially repeating non-conformances related to quality in a large number of companies, make me to wonder whether the management and the mangers, “walk the talk.” Companies have in their procession, a handy tool, in the disguise of ISO 9001:2015, to enable them to establish the standard procedures, (SOPs), operate them and control, but many consider it as something to worry about only during the external audits of the certification bodies.

In this respect, it is worthy of mentioning that, in my country Sri Lanka, there is a famous Buddhist Cultural Pageant, in August every year, that attracts locals as well large numbers of tourists from across the globe. For the past 400+ years, this event follows the SOPs, without any, awareness of the ISO 9000, emphasizing that there is no magic or mystery about ISO, but the prevalence of good common sense. (TT)

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Maxam Tire has introduced the MT152 Rubber Track, a new product featuring an enhanced Z-Lug design. This track is engineered to provide exceptional traction, durability and extended service life for compact track loaders operating in demanding environments.

Building on the proven performance of traditional Z-Lug rubber tracks, the MT152 combines aggressive traction with increased tread depth and a larger footprint. This design improves wear life without sacrificing performance. It is intended for construction, site preparation and general earthmoving applications, excelling in loose ground conditions while offering the stability and durability contractors rely on daily.

The MT152 features a heavy-duty carcass for enhanced machine stability and long-lasting structural integrity under demanding workloads. Its stepped tread pattern improves self-cleaning by allowing mud and debris to expel more efficiently, maintaining consistent traction throughout the workday. A cut and tear-resistant tread compound further boosts durability in harsh conditions, while the increased tread depth and optimized net-to-gross ratio deliver longer tread life and greater overall value.

Matt Fagan, Director – Research & Development, Maxam Tire, said, “The MT152 was developed to give equipment owners aggressive traction and the durability they need to maximise uptime. By enhancing the traditional Z-Lug design with a deeper tread, larger footprint and reinforced carcass construction, we’ve created a rubber track that delivers outstanding performance, extended wear life and dependable operation across a wide range of challenging jobsite conditions.”

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Birla Carbon will use its presence at RubberTech China 2026 to demonstrate how its operations across Asia, including China, are being scaled up to meet demand from both regional and international customers. The manufacturer of high-quality carbon materials will exhibit at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from 15 to 17 September 2026 at Booth No. W5B467.

Growth in manufacturing capacity and geographic reach underpins the company's push for greater supply reliability, responsiveness and consistency. Thailand's Rayong facility and an additional high-output Indian plant both commence operations this year. Across key Asian markets, these additions bolster dependable volume availability, sharpen the company's ability to react swiftly to changing customer demands and shorten delivery timelines by operating nearer to buyers.

A broad solutions portfolio awaits exhibition attendees. Engineered materials for mechanical rubber goods (MRG) deliver enhanced hose durability, superior belting abrasion resistance and reliable performance in anti-vibration and sealing systems. Tyre-focused carbon black grades extend product lifespan while improving fuel and energy efficiency, with Euro 7-inspired and EV-designed options covering PCR, LT and TBR applications. Low PAH grades hold certification for skin-contact and export markets, functioning as drop-in ASTM replacements. Continua SCB and SCM products permit elevated recycled and bio-based content as drop-in substitutes for conventional ASTM grades, assisting customers in advancing circularity goals without sacrificing performance.

Amit Kumar, President, Asia, Birla Carbon, said, “The Asia region is increasingly viewed as a manufacturing hub for the world, with China playing a central role in the growth of high-value MRG and tyre markets.  This is making performance, supply reliability and sustainability more critical than ever for the region. At Birla Carbon, we are strengthening our regional material capacity and footprint to be closer to our customers and respond more effectively to their evolving needs. With expanded capacity and innovative solutions spanning MRG, tyres, including Euro 7-inspired and EV-designed performance materials low PAH applications, and sustainable offerings, we are well positioned to help customers enhance product performance, build more resilient supply chains and advance their sustainability goals.”

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Bridgestone has expanded its road safety efforts in Scotland by hosting its inaugural dedicated tyre safety event in the region. The initiative, held at Betty’s Diner off Westfield Road in Motherwell, drew such a strong response from local motorists that additional visits north of the border are already being arranged.

Working alongside Auchinlea Tyres, the company inspected over 100 tyres during the event while offering drivers guidance on tyre safety and the value of routine checks and maintenance. The results underscored the need for such efforts, with 16 percent of tyres requiring urgent attention and a further 24 percent flagged for close monitoring.

To encourage awareness of basic tyre checking practices, ‘Become a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero’ bags were distributed, and the firm’s branded VW Buzz drew considerable interest when parked at the site. Organised by Chris Liddle, Key Account Manager for Consumer and Commercial Products, the event forms part of Bridgestone’s wider Become a Road Safety Hero campaign, which sees colleagues across the UK engaging with motorists to promote essential tyre safety messages.

Recent data reinforces the campaign’s urgency. TyreSafe estimates that 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are illegal or dangerously worn at any given time, often because tread depth falls below the 1.6 mm legal limit. Meanwhile, the Department for Transport’s Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Final Results 2025 report showed that people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose from 169 in 2024 to 201 in 2025. For Bridgestone, events like the Scottish check transform safety messaging into practical advice, letting motorists have their tyres inspected while learning simple self-checks.

Liddle said, “This was a really important event for us because it was the first time we have taken our road safety outreach into Scotland in 2026 and the response was fantastic. We inspected 25 vehicles and 100 tyres during the event, giving us a great opportunity to speak directly to motorists about the importance of checking their tyres and making sure they are safe and properly maintained. The feedback we've received since our visit has been extremely positive, and we've already been asked if   we could hold similar events with Auchinlea Tyres. That's a great indication of how successful the day was. We're now looking at the possibility of taking the Road Safety Buzz to different locations across Scotland before the end of the year, working with Scottish dealers to help engage local communities. The Buzz certainly attracted plenty of attention. It's a real head-turner and a great way of starting conversations with people about tyre safety.”

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Maxion Wheels has reaffirmed its dedication to responsible business practices, operational excellence and environmental stewardship by strengthening a resilient and sustainable global supply chain. The company emphasises that collaboration with suppliers sharing its values is vital for delivering long-term value to customers, communities and stakeholders while maintaining high expectations for performance in quality, delivery, sustainability, innovation and ethical conduct. The 2025 Maxion Wheels Supplier Awards recognise exceptional partners whose contributions have advanced the business and reinforced its supply chain worldwide.

Among the honourees, Akzo Nobel Coatings Ltda of Brazil received the Supplier of the Year award for the Americas. A global leader in paints and coatings, AkzoNobel supports Maxion facilities in Brazil and Argentina with liquid and powder coating technologies. In 2025, it earned an ‘A’ rating in the annual Supplier Performance Evaluation for its commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability and supply reliability.

For Asia, JSW Steel Limited of India was named Supplier of the Year. Part of the O.P. Jindal Group, JSW Steel is one of India’s leading steel manufacturers, with an annual production capacity of 35 million tonnes across six plants. As a strategic partner for Maxion India, it supports product development, operational flexibility and business growth. Its senior leadership engagement and strong collaboration helped it meet all environmental, social and governance requirements, securing an ‘A’ rating.

In the EMEA region, FreiLacke, a brand of Emil Frei GmbH & Co KG, received Supplier of the Year honours. The family-owned German coatings specialist, based in the Black Forest, supplies powder and liquid coatings to several Maxion aluminium wheel plants and supports development for both aluminium and steel applications. FreiLacke achieved Supplier Performance Evaluation scores above 97 and met all quality, ESG and governance requirements, earning an ‘A’ rating.

The Green Wheel Award for 2025 went to Akzo Nobel Coatings CZ of the Czech Republic. Based in Opava, the company is part of the AkzoNobel group and serves as a key supplier to Maxion Wheels Ostrava, providing high-quality coating solutions for wheel manufacturing while demonstrating responsible business practices.

Akzo Nobel Coatings CZ was recognised for outstanding sustainability performance, achieving a Supplier Performance Evaluation sustainability score of 24 out of 25 and full compliance with Maxion’s ESG, governance and responsible sourcing requirements. Supported by AkzoNobel’s ambitious sustainability agenda and strong transparency, the company exemplifies leadership in environmental stewardship and sustainable value creation across the supply chain.

Pia Schütz, Vice President – Global Purchasing, Maxion Wheels, said, “At Maxion Wheels, we view our suppliers as strategic partners in our success. Their dedication to quality, innovation, sustainability and operational excellence enables us to better serve our customers and continuously improve our performance. These awards recognise organisations that have distinguished themselves through exceptional collaboration and a shared commitment to creating long-term value.”

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