Banner image caption: Europäische Fachpressekonferenz, v.l.n.r.: Dr. Ralf Deckers (Bereichsleiter Research Experts, IFH Köln GmbH), Ingo Riedeberger (Director THE TIRE COLOGNE), Maximiliane Sarwas (Moderatorin), Gerald Böse (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung Koelnmesse GmbH), Stephan Helm (Vorsitzender BRV), Motorworld Köln

The German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association (BRV) and Koelnmesse has announced that the Tire Cologne 2021 will be a hybrid trade fair. It will be held in the classic trade format as well as in the digital format called the ‘TTC@home’. According to Koelnmesse, a global leader for Digital Media, Entertainment and Mobility segments, the two parallel formats would ensure that the industry participants from around the world, whether exhibitors or trade visitors, can exchange ideas live in Cologne or digitally via a platform developed specifically for this purpose.

Desperate conditions demand discerning measures
The event organisers have revealed that the trade fairs will be carried out safely and successfully while keeping all the safety measures in place. The stand
areas are limited to a maximum of 150 sq.m. Additional capacities are offered by the ‘Lead Café’ – consultation rooms that can be used flexibly. Koelnmesse has developed a host of measures under the ‘#BSAFE4BUSINESS’ in accordance with the provisions of the corona protection ordinance of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close coordination with the authorities in Cologne. These measures work together seamlessly and regulate interaction at the trade fair.

The digital platform developed by Koelnmesse, on which the TTC@home digital trade fair components are realised, is already currently being used successfully at DMEXCO, the largest trade fair for digital marketing & advertising in Europe that concluded today. ‘Digital’ exhibitors can present their products as photo and text information within the exhibitor showrooms and increase the attention their company attracts by embedding video content. Content on products and companies can be presented in digital panels or conferences to a circle of interested parties and in greater depth via special networking functions in chats or digital meetings. In addition to a large number of additional tools, TTC@home also supports new visitor target groups and is at the same time the basis for a sustainable community platform that will continue to exist beyond The Tire Cologne 2021. All the exhibitors will receive a digital basic package at no charge. TTC@home thus also makes an important contribution to the digitalisation of the tyre industry.

Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, (pictured above) said, "One thing is certain; trade fairs will remain indispensable. Only here can direct personal encounters for the maintenance of existing contacts and the initiation of new business opportunities be assured with precision and certainty. We are more than prepared to carry out trade fairs safely and successfully for all participants, and to thus provide the so urgently needed impulses for the further development of the industries.”

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NEXEN TIRE has strengthened its Australian logistics footprint by opening a new distribution centre in Perth, Western Australia’s largest hub city. The move extends the company’s supply network beyond its existing east-coast bases in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, creating a more comprehensive nationwide distribution system.

The Perth facility is expected to improve product availability for dealers and consumers across Australia. By enhancing local inventory management, NEXEN TIRE aims to shorten logistics lead times and respond more quickly to shifts in market demand, thereby boosting its competitiveness in the fast-growing Australian market.

Beyond logistics, the tyre maker has introduced its Shop Branding programme to Australia, applying a unified visual identity to partner stores through signage, interiors and displays centred on its signature purple. NEXEN TIRE has also continued sports marketing efforts as an official sponsor of A-League club Sydney FC since the 2024/25 season, with the partnership running through the 2026/27 campaign beginning October 16.

Australia remains a strategic market for NEXEN TIRE, with its local subsidiary posting revenue growth of more than 50 percent year-on-year in the first half of this year, more than double the same period in 2024. Combining distribution expansion with locally tailored marketing, the company plans to deepen engagement with Australian consumers, drawing on expertise gained from supplying original equipment tyres to global premium automakers.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "With the opening of this distribution centre, we have secured a foundation to supply our products more reliably beyond the east coast. We will strengthen both our distribution network and brand marketing to continue expanding our presence in the Australian market."

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has entered into a new partnership with Mission Zero, a prominent quality standard within the road fleet sector. The collaboration is designed to help organisations enhance compliance, lower risk and advance shared goals for safer, cleaner and more responsible road transport.

Mission Zero offers a structured framework for fleets pursuing zero collisions, emissions and prohibitions, centred on a comprehensive legal compliance audit alongside recognised industry best practice. Its credentials are formally acknowledged across major infrastructure and transport programmes, including Transport for London’s Work-Related Road Risk requirements, HS2, Sizewell C, National Highways and CLOCS.

TyreSafe already collaborates with several of these bodies, including National Highways and CLOCS, reinforcing tyre safety’s place within broader fleet safety and compliance efforts. Its expertise has likewise gained national recognition, featuring in the government’s developing approach to work-related road safety and the creation of a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter.

Under the partnership, the two organisations will jointly assist fleet operators in recognising how effective tyre management supports safer vehicles, stronger compliance and reduced occupational road risk. Combining expertise, resources and industry engagement, they aim to help organisations build safer fleets, prevent incidents and foster a more sustainable road transport future, reflecting TyreSafe’s ongoing commitment to collaboration across the transport, enforcement and fleet sectors and to keeping tyre safety central to the journey towards Vision Zero.

Nick Caesari, CEO, Mission Zero, said, “Tyre safety is a fundamental part of managing risk within any fleet operation. Mission Zero is focused on helping organisations move beyond compliance and adopt a proactive approach to safety, and working with TyreSafe allows us to strengthen the guidance and support available to operators. Together, we can help businesses understand the important role that safe, well-maintained tyres play in preventing incidents and achieving their wider road safety goals.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are pleased to partner with Mission Zero and support its ambition to help organisations achieve higher standards across fleet safety. Tyres are one of the most important safety-critical components on any vehicle, yet they are often overlooked as part of wider compliance and risk management strategies. By working with Mission Zero, we can help more operators recognise that effective tyre management is a vital part of achieving safer fleets and reducing work-related road risk.”

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Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) demonstrated its community commitment through volunteer service and financial support at the 77th annual Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo. The Kuraray Foundation of America (KFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, contributed USD 5,000 to the event, funding local youth programmes.

Over the rodeo's nine-day run, eleven KAI employees dedicated more than 350 volunteer hours to health, safety and security operations. Leveraging their professional expertise, these volunteers identified and mitigated onsite risks, staffed the medical tent and worked behind the scenes to ensure a safe, well-organised experience for all attendees.

Beyond safety duties, KAI volunteers supported interactive educational exhibits highlighting the connections between industry, agriculture, and sustainability. These displays allowed families to explore the farm-to-table journey and understand how various industries contribute along the way. The rodeo's fundraising efforts extend far beyond the event itself, supporting college scholarships, livestock show awards, calf scramble programmes and other agricultural education opportunities for local students.

For KFA, the sponsorship represented more than financial backing – it was a chance to invest time, expertise and resources in an organisation dedicated to the Pasadena community throughout the year. KAI expressed gratitude to the rodeo for welcoming its team and recognised volunteers David Solo, Calvin Balch, Alex Berry, Dwight Brunner, Matt Callas, Eric McDaniel, Miguel Pompa, Zachary Reynolds, Chase Stewart, Richard Bass and Tyler Free for their service, reflecting the company's dedication to being an active partner in the communities where its employees live and work.

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Yokohama India has introduced a locally manufactured variant of its GEOLANDAR A/T tyre featuring Outline White Letter sidewall styling for sports utility vehicles (SUVs). The 15-inch tyres are produced at the company's manufacturing plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, following a transition from importing the product line.

The GEOLANDAR A/T tyre in 15-inch size is designed for fitment on utility models including the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and Mahindra Bolero. The white-lettering option is currently available in two sizes, with Yokohama India planning to expand local production to include 16-inch to 18-inch tyre sizes in 2027.

Gaurav Mahajan, Head of Marketing and OE Sales, Yokohama India, said, "For today’s SUV owner, driving is increasingly part of a broader motoring lifestyle, where the vehicle reflects a sense of individuality, adventure and personal expression. The GEOLANDAR A/T is designed to complement that mindset, bringing a more distinctive and rugged character to the vehicle. It is for enthusiasts who see their SUV as more than a means of getting from one place to another, and want every element of it to reflect their passion for the road and the lifestyle that comes with it."

The introduction forms part of Yokohama's strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities in India and cater to local demand for utility vehicle accessories and components.

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