The unprecedented lockdown imposed in March last year turned the supply chain of companies upside down, and the tyre companies were no exception. However, the intensity of disturbance was relatively high for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT), which exports more than 90 percent of its production. According to Padmakumar G, Executive Vice President – SCM at YOHT, unprecedented lockdown led to unprecedented initiatives for YOHT. “Most importantly, we learned the importance of being able to react, adapt and set up crisis management mechanisms to weather situations of uncertainty,” says Padmakumar G.

Q) Was Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT) ready for the unprecedented lockdown?

Padmakumar G: The whole of 2020 was an extraordinary time when ‘business as usual’ was not an option. From the beginning of the year, it was clear that we were braced for a marathon and not a sprint.

At work, we had a unique period of simultaneous supply and demand shocks. Our plants in India were closed for a couple of weeks. As they (plants) were finally allowed to operate, we faced government-mandated operating restrictions and labour shortages that prevented us from running the plants at total capacity.

On the positive side, our plant in Israel was running at full capacity and continued shipments as planned. All sales and administrative employees at global locations were working from home and were doing their best to be accessible at all times. In North America, our network of national warehouses was open, stocked at historically high inventory levels and operating at full local, regional, and national distribution capacity to ensure continued deliveries to locations.

Our competitive position, market share, brand and diversification of our businesses in products and regions helped us see some all-time highs during these challenging times.

Q) Vendors and customers got panicked because of the uncertainties instilled by the lockdowns. How did you keep their morale and confidence intact in those tough times?

Padmakumar G: Unprecedented lockdown led to unprecedented initiatives for YOHT. The acute restrictions and lockdowns created many urgent situations that required immediate attention in the early days of the pandemic. At YOHT, we believe that no crisis should go to waste.

Adaptability, inventiveness and tenacity of our team paved the way to a ‘recovery mode’, and we started planning for the longer-term proactively. We did not face substantial business and operational disruptions – from mitigating the effects of reduced supply to managing disruptions to logistics suppliers and hurdles in meeting their contractual obligations to customers.

YOHT has an agile team that quickly reprioritised the customers’ requirement and ensured critical supply continuation through our multiple sourcing locations. We closely integrated with suppliers, vendors and customers to have better visibility. Consistent communication and streamlining the complexity helped us keep our commitments while keeping the morale and confidence in the most challenging times.

Q) YOHT is mainly into export of products and imports of raw materials? How did you cope up with the supply-demand situation?

Padmakumar G: Prioritisation of critical supply with effective utilisation of available inventories of finished goods, raw materials, and production capacities were the immediate focus in the lockdown situation. What also helped is that we have a wide base of sourcing raw material from multiple sources. We were able to keep our facility running at full efficiency to meet market requirement. We stepped up all measures to ensure that our customers get our products in the earliest shipments.

Q) ATG is now a part of Yokohama, a global giant in the tyre industry. What changes has Yokohama brought in the supply chain?

Padmakumar G: Yokohama has a strong legacy of quality, and its manufacturing and supply chain is very process-driven. The Kaizen processes and digitalisation of our daily supply chain activities helped us improve our process and culture. 

Q) What did you learn from the pandemic?

Padmakumar G: The importance of supply chain resilience and risk management is more apparent than ever. Most importantly, we learned the importance of being able to react, adapt and set up crisis management mechanisms to weather situations of uncertainty. 

Q) There has always been pressure to reduce cost and improve efficiency by shortening the order-to-delivery period. Could you share a couple of examples highlighting the company’s efforts that reduced the cost and enhanced supply chain efficiency?

 Padmakumar G: To shorten the order to delivery, YOHT has initiated Strategic Inventory build-up through S&CP (Sales & Capacity Planning) and effective cost management through strategic buying of raw materials. We have also increased the manufacturing flexibility to reduce delivery in our business of handling 3500+SKU’s.

Q) What new ideas will the company implement at the Visakhapatnam plant to have better supply chain management?

Padmakumar G: Investment in technology that will gain data insights like MES & digitalisation, improving transparency and considerations on sustainability in the supply chain will be key focus areas of our SCM processes in the Visakhapatnam plant. 

Q) What are the current challenges in the business?

Padmakumar G: Current situation of increased raw material cost, an aggressive demand for containers and increased shipping cost are some of the major challenges in SCM across industries. 

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NEXEN TIRE has introduced its latest ultra-high-performance tyre, the N’FERA Primus UX, following a domestic launch in Korea on 1 June. The tyre is now entering the Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets, signalling the company’s full push into the global replacement tire sector.

Built under the One Universal Fit strategy, the N’FERA Primus UX delivers a 20 percent gain in tread wear performance compared to its predecessor. It is engineered for electric vehicles, internal combustion engine cars and SUVs alike and carries NEXEN TIRE’s proprietary EV ROOT certification mark to guarantee balanced performance across powertrain types.

Performance enhancements include strengthened reinforcement for improved high-speed stability, an expanded contact patch for better driving control and an optimised tread block design that reduces road noise. The tyre also features a new advanced-material compound that lowers energy loss to extend tread life. An aerodynamic sidewall design cuts air resistance, boosting fuel economy for ICE vehicles and maximising range for EVs.

Development relied on NEXEN TIRE’s AI and virtual simulation capabilities, including an AI-powered performance prediction system and a high-dynamic driving simulator. This marked the first time such simulation tools were used in the domestic automotive industry, allowing the company to mathematically model real-world driving conditions and accelerate measurement while raising development efficiency.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "The N'FERA Primus UX is designed to deliver optimal performance regardless of vehicle type, in line with the demands of the EV era. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen our global product lineup based on our 'One Universal Fit' strategy to expand our presence in international markets."

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ZC Rubber recently orchestrated a unique brand activation at Emirates Stadium, hosting its Partner Match Day: Emirates Stadium Experience on 24 May. The gathering occurred shortly after Arsenal’s coronation as 2025/26 Premier League champions, amplifying the electric atmosphere for attending partners, industry media and Arsenal collaborators.

Instead of a passive viewing experience, guests from the ZC Rubber family – including WESTLAKE, GOODRIDE and TIANLI – along with representatives from Stapletons Tyre Service, International Tyres, City 1st Tyres and ADR UK Tyremart, stepped onto the pitch for a competitive 90-minute tournament. Following two mini leagues and a climactic final showdown, City 1st Tyres secured the champion’s trophy before enjoying post-match hospitality inside the stadium.

As the Official Global Tyre Partner of Arsenal FC, ZC Rubber designed the event to deepen ties within its international partner network. The day demonstrated a clear strategy of merging sport with relationship-building, creating memorable connections for global audiences.

Andrew Reitzner, UK National Manager, ZC Rubber, said, “Partner Match Day was a fantastic opportunity to bring some of our partners and media friends together in a truly unique environment. Playing at Emirates Stadium is something many football fans dream of, and it was great to share that experience with the people who continue to support and grow with ZC Rubber. For us, that is what this event is about – teamwork, shared experience and the spirit of partnership behind ZC Rubber’s brands.”

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Giti Tire has strengthened its response to electric mobility by securing original equipment deals with major automakers while overhauling product design for the unique strains of battery-powered cars. Engineers have focused on solving challenges such as increased curb weight, immediate power delivery and the need for exceptionally quiet cabins, which set EVs apart from traditional vehicles.

Several leading brands, including Volkswagen, BYD and BMW, now fit Giti rubber on next-generation models across European and Asian markets. The technical focus has centred on lowering rolling resistance, controlling tread wear and managing acoustics, all of which are critical for factory-approved EV tyres. A case in point is the GitiControl P10, chosen for the BYD Sealion 7, iCar 03 and Deepal S07. By reworking the tread pattern and compound, the P10 manages higher loads and torque while preserving range, grip and durability while reducing interior noise.

Meanwhile, the GitiSynergy family has proven itself through the H2 variant on the Volkswagen ID. Buzz in Europe, including during a Guinness World Record attempt that tested long-distance reliability. The upgraded H2+ version further refines energy efficiency and ride comfort to meet BMW’s standards for consistency and low noise. On the performance front, the GitiSport S2+ earned an ‘Exemplary’ rating from Auto Bild in its 2026 Summer Tyre Test, ranking near the top for braking, handling and grip under high torque and heavy vehicle loads.

Together, the P10, H2+ and S2+ cover touring, daily driving and high-performance EV segments. Through ongoing collaboration with vehicle manufacturers and continuous engineering advances, Giti Tire is building a reputation as a dependable supplier for the electric mobility era.

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled the new UltraWeather all-weather grand touring tyre aimed at drivers needing consistent grip on sedans, crossovers, SUVs and light trucks. The product replaces the outgoing WeatherPeak model and carries the three-peak mountain snowflake designation, confirming its ability to handle severe winter conditions. Through the application of ENLITEN technology, the tyre promises longer wear, lower fuel consumption due to reduced rolling resistance and dependable performance across every season.

Engineered for modern driving demands, the UltraWeather shows superior wet braking in internal evaluations, stopping four feet shorter than its predecessor and reducing hydroplaning risk via specialised grooves and shoulder slots. On snow, the tyre demonstrates a 14 percent shorter stopping distance compared to the Goodyear WeatherReady 2 while also outperforming both the Pirelli WeatherActive and the prior Bridgestone WeatherPeak by 10 percent. A proprietary PeakLife polymer and closed centre rib slots support the rubber’s longevity, backed by a 60,000-mile (approximately 96,560 km) limited warranty.

Additional ENLITEN benefits include noise-reducing structural design, rolling resistance improvements for better fuel economy and the use of renewable soybean oil in manufacturing. The tread pattern is precision-tuned to limit vibrations and road noise, contributing to a quieter, more comfortable ride for daily commuters and long-distance travellers alike.

The UltraWeather is available in the market from 1 June 2026, initially in select sizes before expanding to a total of 61 options for 16- to 22-inch rims. Popular vehicle fitments include the Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Taos.

Dale Harrigle, Chief Engineer, Consumer Replacement Tire Development, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Our all-new UltraWeather grand touring tyre helps give drivers a new level of confidence, regardless of the day’s forecast. By integrating our ENLITEN technology, we’ve developed a tyre that delivers a remarkable balance of year-round reliable performance and sustainability elements, surpassing its predecessor.”

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