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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Ironman Tires, a brand owned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company (HTR), a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, has unveiled the All Country HT 4S, marking the brand's entry into the all-weather highway terrain segment. Engineered for daily drivers, this new model delivers reliable traction throughout the year, improved ride comfort and consistent performance in diverse conditions. It represents an expansion of the established All Country family, now offering a highway-focused option that integrates sophisticated tread architecture and advanced material science.

A key distinction of the All Country HT 4S is its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, achieved through a specialised all-weather compound without sacrificing longevity or value. The tyre’s intricate tread pattern, developed using advanced modelling, enhances wet road handling and braking while contributing to a smoother ride. Its construction is tuned to sharpen steering response and minimise road noise thanks to a carefully arranged tread block design and simulated pitch sequencing that reduces vibration at higher speeds.

The tyre's capability is supported by four wide circumferential grooves and 3D siping, which work together to expel water and provide grip on snow and ice. Built for both daily commutes and long-distance travel, the HT 4S aims to balance comfort with all-season security. Initially launching in 27 sizes, with a total of 46 planned, it carries a 600 UTQG rating, indicating a focus on treadwear. Ironman backs the model with a comprehensive protection plan that includes a 60-month policy against defects, road hazard coverage and a 55,000-mile (approximately 88,513 km) warranty, reinforcing its commitment to dependable and affordable products.

Keith Calcagno, Chief Strategy Officer, Proprietary Brands, American Tire Distributors, said, “The All Country HT 4S brings all-weather confidence to the highway terrain segment. These tyres are designed for drivers who want a quiet, comfortable ride with dependable traction in rain and snow – all at a value they can trust.”

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Firestone AG, a division of Bridgestone Americas, has broadened its Maxi Traction and Radial Deep Tread 23° tyre portfolios with new sizes engineered specifically for the latest generation of John Deere tractors. The expanded lineup was introduced at the Commodity Classic 2026 show, reflecting a parallel development process with John Deere’s recent machinery innovations, which assures growers of reliable performance from a trusted tyre brand. Now included in the RCI Group 50, the range features the flagship VF480/95R54 size, a 90-inch-tall tyre with a load capacity of 16,100 pounds (approximately 7,302 kg).

Engineered for superior ground contact, the Radial Deep Tread 23° ensures steady traction through optimised lug-to-soil interaction. In contrast, the Maxi Traction tyre, frequently used on front axles, delivers extended tread life and increased load potential. For certain sizes, Very High Flexion technology is offered, enabling farmers to operate at lower inflation pressures. This expands the tyre's footprint, boosts traction and plays a vital role in reducing harmful soil compaction. Availability for these new sizes is scheduled to begin 1 May 2026.

Bill Durivage, Senior Agricultural Product Strategy Manager, Firestone Ag, said, “This expansion takes our most established row crop fitment and carries it forward. By strengthening load capacity and incorporating our VF technology, we’re ensuring the tyres continue to support the performance, efficiency and soil management expectations of today’s tractors.”

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Superteam Wheels, a prominent Chinese manufacturer of carbon fibre bicycle wheelsets, has entered into a significant three-year strategic alliance with GCN Italia, the Italian arm of the internationally acclaimed cycling media outlet, Global Cycling Network (GCN). This initiative follows the brand's successful partnerships with GCN's French and Spanish channels established in 2025. By now collaborating with all three major GCN platforms serving France, Spain and Italy, Superteam Wheels is strategically reinforcing its presence within core European markets. This concerted effort represents a vital step in the company's broader plan to deepen its global footprint, particularly across Southern Europe.

Under the terms of this new partnership, Superteam Wheels intends to capitalise on GCN Italia's substantial regional influence across leading global social media networks such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The collaboration will drive comprehensive brand promotion and the development of co-created content tailored specifically for these platforms. The joint initiatives will focus on producing a diverse array of original material, which is set to include professional assessments of carbon fibre wheelsets designed for road and gravel cycling, authentic local riding experiences and thorough explorations of fundamental carbon fibre technologies.

The content strategy is designed to resonate with the unique perspectives and interests of Italian cycling enthusiasts, effectively demonstrating the technological expertise and intrinsic value of Superteam products. Ultimately, the partnership aims to not only bolster the brand's connection with this key audience but also to further ignite the passion for cycling among enthusiasts both within Southern Europe and across the global community.

Chris Zeng, Overseas Business Manager, Superteam Wheels, said, "Italy is the heart of global cycling, with profound heritage and discerning enthusiasts. GCN Italia is our key bridge to connect Superteam's Chinese carbon fibre expertise with local riders. Building on our 2025 partnerships with GCN France and Spain, this collaboration further strengthens our presence across Europe. We are committed to delivering high-performance, cost-effective wheelsets, enabling more cyclists to experience the exceptional performance of our carbon fibre technology and become part of the European cycling story.”

Dario Esposito, Business Director International, GCN Italia, said, "I hope this solution is appreciated by both parties and that we can expand our valuable partnership to GCN Italia.”

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Kumho Tire USA is set to intensify its commitment to the SUV and truck market by taking a prominent role in a series of off-road events throughout 2026. Following its successful appearances in 2024 and 2025, the company plans to use these gatherings as a platform to boost brand visibility, demonstrate the capabilities of its specialised Road Venture tyre line and forge stronger connections with off-road enthusiasts.

This strategy reflects a focused effort to engage with the growing community of SUV and truck owners. By participating directly in these enthusiast-driven events, the company creates a valuable opportunity to present its products firsthand. This approach allows Kumho to reinforce its standing as a premium alternative that balances exceptional quality and performance with affordability.

The 2026 tour is scheduled to commence at the Overland Expo SoCal in March. A newly designed 80-foot marketing truck and trailer will be the centrepiece of Kumho’s presence at various stops along the tour. This mobile exhibit will offer interactive displays, distribute branded merchandise and prominently feature the Road Venture lineup, which includes the RT, AT52 and MT71 models. Engineered for challenging terrain, this tyre series is recognised for its robustness, reliable performance and comprehensive warranty. Attendees will also have the chance to speak with company ambassadors on-site, who can provide personalised guidance to help drivers select the most suitable Road Venture tyre for their specific vehicle and driving needs.

Kumho Tire’s full 2026 off-road event schedule is listed below:

• Overland Expo SoCal: 14–15 March, Costa Mesa, Calif.
• Jeep Beach: 17–26 April, Daytona Beach, Fla.
• Overland Expo West: 15–17 May, Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Overland Expo PNW: 26–28 June, Redmond, Ore.
• New Jersey Jeep Invasion: 10–12 July, Wildwood, N.J.
• New Jersey Bronco Invasion: 17–19 July, Wildwood, N.J.
• The Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede: 14–16 August, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
• The Smoky Mountain Invasion: 20–22 August, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
• Off-Road Expo: 3–4 October, Costa Mesa, Calif.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "We are incredibly excited to bring our dedicated Road Venture product line directly to off-road enthusiasts at major events like Overland Expo and Jeep Beach in 2026. Building on our initial involvement since 2024, this year's expanded presence demonstrates our commitment to the segment and marks a significant milestone in Kumho Tire's strategy to strengthen connections with SUV and truck consumers."

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