Jyotsna came on board as the CFO and Head of IT of Bridgestone India, around two-and-a-half years ago - in April 2018. Since then, she has ensured attentive capacities are in place, thus focusing on maintaining cost control and delegating financial management. Afterall, the tyre industry is highly competitive and market-driven. And yes, digital evolution and safety of her colleagues and business partners have become one of her top priorities during the pandemic.

Raised in a modest and orthodox business family of six daughters, principles such as hard work, humility, and honesty were a natural part of growing up for her. Married at the age of twenty-one, Jyotsna wanted to be more than just a housewife. Thus, she pursued her grinding CA qualification while being a mother of a baby boy.

“I pursued further education and got a professional qualification, CA, in 1994. Not an easy call in any way. The profession itself was demanding and then to be able to garner the support of the larger family was a big task considering the social norms at the time. However, with the great support from my in-laws, my husband Rajesh, and my conviction, I managed to pursue this new path,” Jyotsna recalls.

When asked about what she would attribute to the leadership qualities she has achieved, she reflects on her family background and the formative years of her life. Marriage was the ultimate end-goal for all girls back then, she says. But, her father, who was a civil engineer, and ran a unit into precision tools manufacturing, understood the value of education. He ensured all his daughters received quality higher education. This paid off as all of Jyotsna’s sisters are highly qualified across different streams.

Jyotsna also mentions the underlying importance of financial independence that was ever-present while growing up. These values, coupled with formal education and academics, added to her versatile calibre. However, she says studies were never her cup of tea. Her interests were games, food, and fun. Having done her graduation at BMCC, life was relatively stress-free then.

However, getting married at the early age was a turning point in her life when she braved the conventional social norms at the time and pursued her CA studies. She adds that the journey from 1989-1994 was full of challenges, excitement, courage, and family support. Significant challenges to pursue her CA were to convince the in-laws to allow her to go and live in a hostel and study and to be able to meet social obligations as a newly-wed woman, and not being able to give time to her son.

 “To be able to give my 100% to the studies amidst all of this was quite difficult. However, I always kept my eye on the big picture.”

Jyotsna started her professional career at Kinetic Honda, a manufacturing organisation which, she says, was not perceived to be ideal for women and had limitations to growth. “But that made me work even harder. However, it was a role of my choice, and I worked with them for nine years, and those were my formative career years. A combination of experience at Firodiya, a well-respected business house and a Japanese business brand is great learning for any finance professional. I took additional responsibilities on multiple functions and projects to rise the ladder at a good pace as by now; I had found my Ikigai- a reason to live.”

 “Amidst all this, the family challenges continued as my husband Rajesh had moved to Singapore, and I single-handedly attended to our son”.

At the workplace, she always ensures that she works hard and does everything from grassroots and is never bothered about her designation and qualification as, for her, that is a means and not an end. “Over the years, I worked on building and strengthening relationships and never really kept any limitations to what I wanted to achieve.”

COVID has turned the auto industry upside down. New normal is becoming a part of life and businesses as well. Whereas the challenges of COVID have been unprecedented, it also brought new ways of doing businesses. Now employee safety is becoming a top priority, while digital evolution is bringing a new era ahead of the industry.

At Bridgestone, Jyotsna says, the safety of their people and safeguarding their operations have been the topmost priority. Ever since COVID first hit the country, the company took proactive measures to not only keep the people safe but, also streamline operations in the wake of new normal. Furthermore, at the back of accelerated digitisation, Bridgestone India has been able to bring the right solutions for its consumers as well as ensure the same levels of productivity within the organisation. 

When asked about how she feels about working in such a dynamic industry, Jyotsna says, “The automobile industry is where my professional career is slated. Kinetic Honda, SKF Bearings, NRB Bearings, Sandvik Asia and now Bridgestone are my performing turfs. One side of the industry, i.e., channel partners, are the same - similar channels set up requirements, risks, opportunities, and expectations of the partners. What differs is the strength of the product and strength of the competitor. Bridgestone, with its world-class Japanese technology in tyre manufacturing, is one of the leading and most trusted brands with all the strengths on the product, manufacturing, and innovation.” 

“The market in India is huge, and the progressive growth and demographics of the country are definitely positive. At Bridgestone India, we are financially secure with a good product range, best manufacturing facilities, substantial market share, reliable channel partners and an ambitious and committed workforce. The biggest risk is getting complacent and losing focus on cost. The tyre industry is competitive, and market driven. Also, the capacities are in place, thus keeping focus and maintaining cost control is the financial management challenge which is exciting.”

Like everyone, COVID has influenced Jyotsna’s personal and professional life. According to her, COVID was a blessing in disguise to be able to spend all this time at home and spending time to call and check on all near and dear ones, reconnecting, rejuvenating were positives in this situation.

However, work from home bears multiple challenges and ,for her the divide between official work and domestic duties was practically invisible. As the Head of IT and CFO, Jyotsna had a great responsibility to ensure the digital solutions were up and running and without causing the loss of productivity at the same time managing concerns around security and support. “As a CFO, a time to complete FY 20 financials and audits, and the Mid-term – 3 years business plan process which were very challenging.”

“But I would say the times have tested my abilities to stay strong under all situations. I would like to say this to my fellow leaders that encourage your teams throughout and keep the work exciting as always. This will ensure a positive sentiment in these trying times.”

As much as work is refreshing with so much happening, Jyotsna does take personal time to recharge. She loves to drive and have been doing rallies like Raid the Himalaya, Desert Storm, Spice Challenge. She has also done international driving vacations.

 “Amidst the lockdown, I recently drove to Bangalore to be with my son Prateek. The memory of absolutely traffic-free roads and my car racing at 230-250 with confidence to touch Bangalore from Pune non-stop in 9 hours was wonderful. We drove through Kabini and spent a holiday together, making memories.”

“I also like to read, so I took this opportunity to download the most read books Ikigai, Atomic Habits, Just do It – the Nike story and many more.”

 “Netflix was another relaxing way to spend some time, and the most exciting watch for me was Drills apart from many others. I love to socialise and continued e-socialising as well.”

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) hosted a significant courtesy visit from Stefano Safi, CEO of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), on 4 February 2026. The meeting, held at the ANRPC Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, featured substantial discussions with Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his team.

Central to the dialogue were the crucial themes of sustainable production and pricing mechanisms, alongside an analysis of recent market impacts on the industry. Both parties affirmed the necessity of collaborative action to address sectoral challenges and committed to a shared path for promoting sustainable growth in the face of evolving market dynamics, ultimately striving towards a more environmentally responsible future for natural rubber.

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City of Moreton Bay has been recognised for a groundbreaking road resurfacing programme that sets a new sustainability benchmark for Queensland. In partnership with infrastructure firm Fulton Hogan, the council spearheaded a research and development project to create a durable asphalt solution specifically designed for subtropical climates.

This innovative approach involved trialling a mix incorporating crumb rubber binder with up to 30 percent recycled asphalt pavement. The highly sustainable formula was also produced as a warm mix asphalt, requiring lower production temperatures than conventional methods. Extensive field testing on local roads confirmed the mix's functionality and durability, establishing a viable future-ready surfacing solution for local governments.

The environmental benefits of the 2024/25 programme were substantial. Across 82 streets, the project utilised 7,838 tonnes of recycled asphalt and repurposed the equivalent of 28,748 end-of-life passenger tyres into the road network. This concerted effort resulted in an estimated carbon emission saving exceeding 556,000 kilogrammes.

The Australian Flexible Pavement Association subsequently honoured the project as the Queensland state winner in the ‘Outstanding project less than $10m’ category. This initiative aligns with the City of Moreton Bay’s broader environmental strategy, which includes a target of achieving net zero emissions for council operations by 2039 and reducing the city's overall carbon footprint.

The council views such partnerships as a practical demonstration of its ‘Going Green as We Grow’ commitment, aimed at maintaining materials in circulation to reduce waste. Recognising local roads as one of its largest infrastructure assets, the city continues to actively encourage all resurfacing contractors to pursue innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions. This road programme complements other ongoing green infrastructure projects within the region focused on enhancing safety for both motorists and wildlife.

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Nexion Group has inaugurated a state-of-the-art, sustainable logistics hub in Prato di Correggio, Italy. This facility, serving the Group's portfolio of brands including Corghi, HPA-Faip, Mondolfo Ferro, Teco, Sice, Autopstenhoj, Sherpa and Bright, is a strategic investment designed to support future growth and market demands through advanced automation and artificial intelligence.

The hub is a highly automated, fully digitalised operation that functions around the clock. Its core is a high-capacity vertical warehouse, utilising over 2.2 kilometres of racking systems that reach 11.7 metres in height across seven levels. This design, spanning a total of 22,000 square metres and offering 7,600 pallet positions, maximises vertical space to handle large volumes and a diverse product range. Logistics are managed by laser-guided vehicles and intelligent software algorithms, which optimise material flows, minimise errors and significantly reduce order fulfilment times. The entire process features automated identification and labelling systems, with real-time monitoring ensuring full traceability, operational accuracy and the reliable handling of complex or oversized items.

A cornerstone of the project is its commitment to environmental sustainability. The hub is equipped with a 1.1 MW photovoltaic system that fully meets the facility's energy needs and contributes substantially to the power requirements of the adjacent metal fabrication plant, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact of Nexion's operations.

This next-generation infrastructure enhances the Group's ability to provide fast, accurate and reliable service. By optimising warehousing and distribution, it strengthens Nexion's regional presence and underscores a firm commitment to integrating industrial development with technological innovation and environmental responsibility, paving the way for a more advanced and service-oriented logistics model.

Giulio Corghi, President, Nexion Group, said, “The new logistics hub in Prato di Correggio represents a concrete step in Nexion industrial evolution. We have invested in a sustainable, intelligent and highly automated facility designed to improve logistics service quality and strongly support the Group’s future growth while guaranteeing the highest safety standards for our employees and playing an active role in the ecological transition.”

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Comerio Ercole has achieved a significant international milestone by securing the ‘Italian Company of the Year – Manufacturing’ title at the ACQ5 Global Awards 2026. This honour, conferred by a globally respected M&A magazine, recognises exceptional commercial performance and innovation on the world stage. The award is particularly meaningful as it results from a rigorous peer-driven nomination and voting process, establishing it as a credible benchmark for excellence. For Comerio Ercole, this accolade validates over 140 years of dedication to industrial reliability, quality and technological advancement in specialised calendering and mixing solutions, blending traditional engineering with modern innovation.

Concurrent with this recognition, the company is aggressively pursuing a strategy of global engagement and visibility in 2026. A key component of this strategy involves participation in major international trade shows, including several first-time appearances, to connect with new audiences and strengthen existing partnerships. This direct market engagement supports the company's international expansion and allows it to showcase its expertise while understanding regional industry demands. The upcoming Tire Technology Expo 2026 in Hannover, Germany, from 3–5 March, stands as a prime example. At this leading industry gathering, Comerio Ercole will occupy Stand 8006 in Hall 21 to present its latest advancements in rubber calendering, automated production systems and sustainable manufacturing solutions tailored for the tyre and rubber sectors.

Integral to these presentations will be the company's evolving focus on digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Attendees will be introduced to a suite of AI-based tools, including MINERV-AI, which is designed to digitally capture, structure and automate critical industrial procedures related to work, maintenance, quality and safety. This technology aims to preserve valuable operational know-how and enhance overall efficiency. The inclusion of such smart tools underscores Comerio Ercole’s commitment to merging its deep engineering heritage with cutting-edge digital solutions, offering clients future-oriented capabilities that boost productivity and process reliability.

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