Until the start of vaccination, so many deaths and blockages shut down the industry, as well as businesses and individuals. The lack of labour and consumers only brought uncertainty to people's lives. No one, including governments, was able to overcome all the unknowns.

Later, people began to learn to live with this virus and to learn facilities for practicing social distancing and other preventive measures to reduce the spread of germs. Then the daily life went to normal by half. Consumer markets have started offering services with social distancing.

Then, large companies launched initiatives for the vaccination of employees and some promoted the payment of about USD$ 25 as a bonus for the first volunteers. Employees began to work in stores under pandemic conditions. So, it is the same in tyre shops, for example, to help and maintain the tyres of customers' cars in good condition, which of course ensured mobility in cities so that vehicles let vehicles circulate on the road . People could get the food, medicine, supplies and medical care they need.

Manufacturers should sometimes be able to collaborate with competitors to survive together in tough days.

Sustainability has never been more worth talking about in recent decades to be a legitimate topic on pandemic dates.  One thing is for sure, at the same time, we can never know which companies have really benefited from being willing to invest in the past with a desire to make the business sustainable in the future. We will reach and appreciate these businesses later, as accurate tax and market data as a primary result of a successful business emerges after three consecutive years.

Anyone who has taken seriously the alerts of a post-2015 virus that could one day be a reality and a threat to humanity and go unchecked in nearly three years is supposed to be ready for pandemic dates. Is it really possible to take such a viral effect into account in the risk analysis? But if so, this company is already at least six years ahead of its competition.

We never forget that keeping reliable and loyal consumers is our future.

Today, many industries must survive with material suppliers, customers and its service providers. We can add its competitors as a fourth pole at the corner its competitors,. sSo that companies in the same category should move together and collaborate in difficult days. Suppose Suppose they accept each other's stronger side in a part of the main processes, it might help better in that specific part, s. So that sustainability is ensured for the sake of sociality and economy.

As a sustainable business continuity in raw materials, services, market consistency, health and safety of white and blue colours, loyalty and morals of employees, reliability of energy sources and capacity manufacturing operations. Any production company that never lacks the above can be successful and be considered ‘“sustainable”’ in the medium term. In the long term, the requirements of the environmental authorities must be respected;, social projects must be distributed among the employees.

A real investment in the company's brand must be made. It is sure that the ‘“No Waste’” and ‘“Green Company’” image reinforces the company's brand. May all of these lead the company to establishing production lines that consume less energy and are more efficient. Roof or wall solar collectors, rainwater harvesting pipes, efficient coolers, pumps and electric motors are expected to follow so far to be more durable.

Any tyre manufacturer responding to dealer demand and capable of producing with a minimum number of references will have a head start and make the difference in terms of efficiency.

A cumbersome problem for tyre manufacturers is carrying the heavy size list as production gum . Any tyre manufacturer responding to dealer demand and capable of producing with a minimum number of references will have a head start and make the difference in terms of efficiency.

What about reliable and loyal consumers? We have to bear in mind that consumers are our future. Any excessive savings, if it means reluctance in services or compromises on quality, will result in days of unemployment after a while. Thus, a well-adapted balance between costs and savings is always to be favoured in terms of sustainability.

A cumbersome problem for tyre manufacturers is carrying the heavy size list as production gum  even though they still cannot meet the needs of retailers. Retail stores can only cover 10 percent% to 45 percent% of the demand for walk-in customers. On the other hand, tyre manufacturers can meet dealer needs around 50 percent or 75 percent of orders, while supplying that amount with overproduction and heavy SKUs.

Another headache is the production of winter tyres in the summer, although sales are highly dependent on the severity of winter and upcoming snowfall. Tyre manufacturers often have to overproduce and have a large inventory. In recent years, the climate has changed the practices and the ability to estimate winter tyre sales mainly in Europe.

Therefore, any tyre manufacturer that meets dealer demand and is able to produce a minimum number of SKUs will have a head start and make a difference in terms of efficiency.

Anti-climax after stopping production for some reason of uncertainty is more costly.

After the long days of pandemic, which still affects the daily life of human beings, sustainability has become a matter of vitality for most companies. Lost markets can be won over time, but a climax after production ceases for some reason of uncertainty would be more costly.

The truths of having greener products, grasping the digitiszation movement and mobility trends, efficiency improvements, well-organiszed material sourcing, skills development in manufacturing operations, systematic management of product development and R&D activities, the search for alternatives for automation and artificial intelligence are still vital but not much more valuable than being sufficiently sustainable.

We must keep in mind that we are primarily victims of our own behaviours, decisions and actions. It is important to be progressive in the correct initiatives. So tyre manufacturers who manage a well-developed framework for change and agile strategies will win.

We must keep in mind that we are primarily victims of our own behaviours, decisions and actions.  To be progressive in the correct initiatives is inevitable to support. (TT)

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Linglong Tire convened 120 European dealers in Milan from 10 to 13 October for its European Partner Conference, where CEO Lingkun ‘Andy’ Zhou and Vice President Yongchao ‘Aaron’ Xu outlined the company's latest developments, fiscal performance and future strategy. Zhou noted that despite a difficult and volatile market, Linglong achieved sales growth in the first half of 2026, crediting close cooperation with its European distribution partners.

Global Marketing head Kai You introduced the upcoming ‘Linglong Hub’ dealer programme, which offers quantity-based unit bonuses and tailored marketing packages such as POS materials to support in-shop sales. Andreas Krause, Head of Research and Development in Europe, presented forthcoming products from the Linglong, Crosswind and Leao brands, available from spring 2027, including the all-season Dura Master Van 4S and Leao Nova Force Van 4S for vans and campers, alongside the flagship UHP Linglong Sport Master 2.

Guests then travelled to Villongo, northeast of Milan, for the official opening of Western Europe's first Linglong Tire Center, inaugurated by Zhou together with Sebino Pneus owner Gigi Pezzotta and Fintyre Sales Director Renato Paghera. The fully branded facility is seen as a benchmark for further centres planned across Italy and Europe. The day continued at the Alfa Romeo Museum, a Stellantis brand and key original equipment customer, ending with a gala dinner featuring live Italian music.

The following day, dealers tested the Sport Master 2 at the Balocco test site near Milan, a 550-hectare facility with over 80 km of track, using various Mercedes-Benz and AMG models before a race taxi ride with a professional driver. The event closed with dinner and a dance and music show at El Porteno, setting the stage for the 2027 conference in London.

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Infiniteria Europe and Aliapur, a French State-approved eco-organisation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue an agreement for supplying end-of-life tyres to two planned Infiniteria recycling plants in France. The MoU outlines intentions for a long-term supply arrangement in which Aliapur would furnish the end-of-life tyres needed to operate both facilities.

The agreement creates a framework for a secure, reliable and sustainable long-term supply chain and provides a foundation for continued development of both projects. Shortlisted sites are being assessed, with environmental impact studies under way. The partnership marks a significant milestone for the projects and reflects both companies’ shared commitment to recovering valuable secondary raw materials from end-of-life tyres, developing more circular industrial value chains and increasing tyre recycling capacity in France.

The collaboration combines Aliapur’s material recovery experience with Infiniteria Europe’s recycling solution development expertise. Both companies aim to build a strong long-term partnership supporting tyre recovery and recycling in France, and they look forward to further strengthening their collaboration as the projects advance through subsequent development stages.

Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren, CEO, Infiniteria Europe, said, “This MoU brings our two planned plants in France one step closer to realisation. They will form an important part of our broader ambition to build Europe’s leading business in circular tyre recycling, transforming end-of-life tyres into valuable resources for new uses.”

Mathieu Chardin, Managing Director, Aliapur, said, “Aliapur is proud to have been selected by Infiniteria Europe, an industrial company with proven expertise in tyre pyrolysis technology, as a strategic partner for the supply of raw materials to its future plants in France. This partnership also supports our commitment to France’s reindustrialisation and ecological transition, two priorities at the heart of the Government’s strategy for a more resilient, competitive and sustainable industry.”

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ETRTO held its 62nd General Assembly on 2 October in Nantes, France, drawing strong attendance from Full members and Experts, alongside the TNPF (Travaux de Normalisation des Pneumatiques pour la France) team, UNECE GRBP Chairman, a JATMA delegation and several Honorary members.

The Assembly approved a name change from European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation to European Tyre, Rim & Valve Technical Organisation while retaining the ETRTO acronym. It also endorsed all 80 Technical Subcommittee resolutions, set for inclusion in the 2027 Standards Manual and Engineering Design Information publications, and amendments to ETRTO Recommendations, due for free publication on the ETRTO website in five languages.

Christian Lerner (Continental) and Peter Roest (Apollo) were elected President and Vice President, respectively, for 2027. Presentations covered UNECE GRBP tyre regulatory trends and TNPF’s role in the French regulatory landscape, while Technical Subcommittee chairmen outlined activity highlights and future trends. ETRTO also demonstrated its new Data Portal, available for the Passenger Car tyre section from early 2027.

Appreciation was extended to Jérôme Barrand (Michelin, current ETRTO President) for organising the Assembly and to TNPF for hosting the Gala Dinner. The 63rd ETRTO General Assembly is scheduled for 1 October 2027.

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Sri Trang Group has been recognised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its efforts to promote financial and investment literacy among employees. Pacharin Anuwongwattanachai, Company Secretary of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), and Thanawan Sa-ngiamsak, Chief Financial Officer of Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT), accepted the ‘Organization Promoting Financial and Investment Literacy for Employees’ certificates on behalf of their respective companies. The ceremony, held under the SEC's Financial Well-being in Workplace project, took place at the Royal Thai Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok on 9 October 2026.

The SEC accolade underscores Sri Trang Group's dedication to sustainable business practices, especially the social pillar of sustainability that prioritises comprehensive care for employees' quality of life and well-being. STA advances financial, investment and savings literacy through structured and ongoing financial education programmes. All eight categories of the SEC's online financial and investment lessons have been integrated into the companies' self-learning platforms, allowing staff to build skills independently. Training sessions with SEC experts cover financial and investment planning for salaried employees as well as retirement planning for those aged 50 and above and investment planning tailored to individual needs.

Disciplined saving is further encouraged through income and expense tracking, financial health check-ups and discussion groups in which employees exchange insights on managing provident fund investments with expert guidance. These measures help staff strengthen financial security, ease financial worries and sustainably improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. The approach reflects the Group's care for its people alongside its commitment to good corporate governance, aligning with annual reporting disclosures and the corporate governance assessment criteria for Thai listed companies.

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