Japanese tyre manufacturer Toyo Tire has announced a major reorganisation of its European operations, which will see the company shift its regional headquarters to Serbia and close existing sales subsidiaries in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and the UK.

The company, based in Itami City, Japan, said the changes are part of its long-term global strategy and will involve the creation of a new sales hub, Toyo Tire Sales and Marketing Europe, based in Indija, Serbia. Sales operations will begin in January 2025, with full management functions transferring from its current European headquarters in Germany by the end of that year.

The decision will also see the phased closure of four European sales subsidiaries: Toyo Tire Deutschland GmbH, Toyo Tire Benelux B.V., Toyo Tire Italia S.p.A., and Toyo Tyre (UK) Ltd., starting in January 2025.

Toyo Tire has invested heavily in Serbia in recent years, opening a factory there in 2022 to strengthen its supply chain for Europe and North America, its main market. The company also established a research and development center in Germany in 2019, parts of which will now relocate to a new R&D facility at the Serbian factory site.

By consolidating its European production, sales, and technology operations in Serbia, Toyo Tire aims to enhance efficiency, adapt more flexibly to market demands, and strengthen its regional business foundation.

The company says the move is part of efforts to boost customer satisfaction in Europe and grow the Toyo Tires brand globally.

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The iconic Goodyear Blimp marked its centennial anniversary today with an extraordinary celebration at the historic Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar, hosting an unprecedented gathering of beloved brand mascots and Ohio sports characters. The star-studded event brought together cultural icons including Duolingo's owl, Dr. Squatch, Scrub Daddy, Wendy's red-haired mascot, the Kool-Aid Man, OREO's cookie enthusiast, Olipop's representative and childhood favourites like the Teletubbies, Blippi and CoComelon.

Adding local flair to the festivities, Ohio's most recognisable mascots joined the party, with representatives from The University of Akron, the Akron RubberDucks, Kent State University, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Guardians celebrating alongside their corporate counterparts. The hangar transformed into a spectacular venue featuring the largest balloon installation in Ohio history, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the celebration.

Guests enjoyed specially designed mascot-sized games and indulged in a gravity-defying centrepiece Blimp Cake, complemented by personalised miniature cakes for each attending character. The entertainment lineup included a high-energy DJ keeping the dance floor lively, while attendees sipped on custom blimp-themed mocktails. The celebration reached new heights with commemorative blimp flights, offering mascots a unique aerial perspective of the festivities.

This historic event not only honoured a century of Goodyear's aviation legacy but also created a once-in-a-lifetime crossover moment where corporate mascots and sports personalities united under the shadow of the legendary airship. The centennial celebration set a new benchmark for brand anniversaries, combining nostalgia, innovation, and pure spectacle in a tribute worthy of the Goodyear Blimp's enduring place in American culture.

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Tyrecycle, in partnership with Motorsport Australia and the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, to introduced a tyre recycling pilot programme in South Australia last weekend. During the three-day event at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, 168 used tyres were successfully collected and recycled, marking a significant step towards sustainable tyre management in motorsport.

The programme represents a proactive approach to environmental stewardship in motorsport, demonstrating how industry leaders can work together to address sustainability challenges while maintaining high-performance standards. With the pilot’s success, further investments in circular economy solutions for motorsport are expected to follow.

Jim Fairweather, CEO of Tyrecycle, emphasised the importance of collaboration in promoting eco-friendly practices across the motorsport industry. He explained that the initiative not only provided competitors and event organisers with a convenient and safe solution for end-of-life tyres but also gathered crucial data on tyre usage, collection logistics and recycling viability. According to Fairweather, such insights are essential for developing effective, event-specific sustainability strategies that can reduce waste and enhance recycling efficiency.

Sunil Vohra, CEO of Motorsport Australia, acknowledged the substantial volume of tyres discarded in motorsport and highlighted the shared ambition to scale up recycling efforts. He noted that the pilot programme’s success offers valuable insights into integrating tyre recycling into future events while aligning with circular economy principles. By collaborating with Tyrecycle, Motorsport Australia aims to implement practical, sustainable solutions that balance environmental responsibility with the sport’s operational demands.

Alistair MacDonald, CEO of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, underscored the broader industry implications of the initiative. He stated that the pilot demonstrates how sustainable tyre disposal can be seamlessly incorporated into motorsport operations without affecting performance, safety or efficiency. MacDonald expressed optimism that the partnership will help shape best practices and policy recommendations, contributing to the sport’s decarbonisation efforts.

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In a resounding endorsement from consumers nationwide, CEAT has been voted Sri Lanka's ‘Most Loved Tyre Brand’ in LMD's prestigious 2025 rankings. This esteemed recognition reflects the deep-rooted trust and preference that Sri Lankan drivers have consistently placed in CEAT's products and values.

Renowned for its legacy of German-engineered precision, CEAT has established itself as a market leader through its uncompromising commitment to innovation, safety and performance. Each CEAT tyre embodies decades of engineering expertise, delivering superior road grip, extended durability, and optimal performance across Sri Lanka's diverse driving conditions – from bustling urban streets to challenging rural terrains.

As the nation's most decorated tyre brand, CEAT plays a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's automotive ecosystem. By maintaining stringent international quality standards while progressively increasing local value addition, CEAT contributes significantly to the country's economic growth and self-reliance in the automotive sector. The brand's continuous investments in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and sustainable practices further reinforce its market leadership.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a Gold Medal in the 2025 EcoVadis Sustainability Rating. This recognition places it among the top five percent of over 130,000 companies evaluated globally, strengthening the company’s commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices and social responsibility.

EcoVadis evaluates businesses on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues using internationally accepted standards including the UN Global Compact, ISO 37001 and the GRI Guidelines. Apollo Tyres' noteworthy advancements in these areas are reflected in its Gold rating, which further demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. Apollo Tyres Ltd.'s overall performance score increased from the 92nd percentile to the 95th percentile in FY25 during the preceding five years, and the score increased from 41 to 76.

EcoVadis evaluates four areas: ethics, labour and human rights, the environment and sustainable procurement. Of these, the Ethics and Labour and Human Rights segments saw the biggest improvement, rising from 50 to 63 and 70 to 80 points, respectively. Apollo Tyres had the highest environmental score of 85 points, while Sustainable Procurement received 71 points. With an overall score of 76/100, Apollo Tyres has demonstrated its dedication to addressing climate change, creating a secure and welcoming work environment and maintaining the highest ethical standards to guarantee openness and confidence across the value chain.

Sunam Sarkar, President and Chief Business Officer, Apollo Tyres, said, “The manifold improvement in our Environment, Ethics and Labour and Human Rights scores was driven by focused initiatives such as enhanced environmental management practices, strengthened ethics and compliance programmes and the implementation of inclusive labour policies. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams, who have worked tirelessly to integrate sustainable practices throughout our operations, motivating us to continue advancing our sustainability journey.”

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