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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RuLa-BRW, a partner in the AZuR network, has introduced the Berliner BUS400 Premium HL EV, a hot-retreaded tyre engineered specifically for the operational realities of electric city buses. The launch addresses a critical facet of the mobility transition, shifting focus from powertrain emissions to the sustainability of vehicle components. This new offering expands upon the established Berliner BUS400 profile, targeting the distinct mechanical stresses imposed by battery-electric public transport.

Electric buses present unique challenges for tyre design, including substantial weight increases from traction batteries, elevated starting torque and the relentless stop-and-go cycles inherent to urban routes. These factors place considerably greater strain on tyres compared to those used in conventional diesel or gas-powered buses. The BUS400 Premium HL EV has been developed to withstand these rigorous conditions while maintaining performance and safety standards.

The tyre features a robust carcass construction paired with a specialised rubber compound formulated for electric bus traffic, according to RuLa-BRW. This combination is designed to deliver extended mileage, consistent driving stability and cost-effective operation within demanding city environments. The development underscores a commitment to the circular economy, demonstrating how modern retreading techniques can repurpose premium tyre casings multiple times, significantly prolonging their useful life and conserving raw materials.

For public transport operators, the synergy of electromobility and tyre retreading offers tangible operational and environmental benefits. The new tyre enables fleets to reduce new tyre purchases while maximising the service life of existing casings, complementing the zero-emission operation of their vehicles. This innovation highlights that the mobility revolution extends beyond drive systems to encompass the full lifecycle of components, reinforcing the retreading industry’s role in sustainable transport solutions.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has expanded its partnership roster with the addition of Machine-Vision.io, a Reutlingen-based innovator that secured first place in the AZuR startup competition LOOP THE TYRE 2026. The company develops artificial intelligence-powered systems for the automated assessment, classification and sorting of used and scrap tyres. Its technology employs advanced image processing, laser scanners and machine learning to detect manufacturer details, tyre type, dimensions, production dates, tread depth, wear patterns and structural damage, delivering objective and reproducible condition reports.

Manual inspection remains the industry norm, with outcomes often shaped by individual employee experience. Machine-Vision.io digitises this workflow, introducing standardised and verifiable quality evaluation capable of handling high-volume tyre inventories. The generated data enables businesses to route suitable tyres towards reuse or retreading operations while directing non-compliant units to appropriate recycling pathways. This systematic approach improves material flow efficiency and strengthens high-grade recycling loops.

Beyond automated evaluation, the startup provides web-based solutions for tyre inventory management and marketing. Test outcomes, stock quantities and quality classifications are captured digitally and can be synchronised with online marketplaces. Such integration enhances transparency across the supply chain and simplifies the matching of tyres with their most suitable next-use applications.

Through its two-year partnership within the AZuR network, Machine-Vision.io will collaborate with companies, researchers and other stakeholders along the entire value chain to advance the tyre circular economy. The initiative illustrates how digitalisation and objective data can support informed decision-making, potentially increasing the supply of retreadable casings and fostering the continued development of sustainable material cycles.

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Tana Oy has announced the appointment of AB Equipment as its new authorised distributor for the New Zealand market, a strategic move that bolsters the Finnish manufacturer’s footprint across the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration is designed to elevate local service capabilities and ensure that New Zealand-based operators receive responsive, on-the-ground support.

AB Equipment, a nationally recognised provider with deep expertise in material handling, construction, forestry and municipal machinery, will now carry Tana’s complete range of landfill compactors and recycling equipment. Leveraging its extensive countrywide service infrastructure and technical proficiency, the distributor is well-equipped to manage customer needs from initial commissioning through to long-term maintenance and repairs.

Within Tana’s global sales network, authorised distributors are instrumental in delivering region-specific knowledge and comprehensive lifecycle care. This latest agreement reinforces that commitment, promising New Zealand customers enhanced reliability and sustained operational value from their Tana machines while further solidifying the brand’s international service standards.

Gerd Schreier, VP Sales and Marketing, Tana Oy, said, “Expanding our distributor network with strong local partners is a key part of our growth strategy. AB Equipment’s deep market knowledge and nationwide coverage make them an excellent fit to represent Tana in New Zealand. Together, we can better support waste management operators with efficient and sustainable solutions.”

Peter Dudson, CEO, AB Equipment, said, “With over a century of experience in heavy equipment and a strong focus on customer support, we are excited to bring Tana’s solutions to the New Zealand market. Tana’s technology aligns well with the needs of our customers, particularly in improving efficiency and supporting more sustainable waste management practices.”

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Michelin has opened a new Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) outlet in Kanpur in partnership with HJ Wheels, expanding access to its products and services in the city and surrounding areas.

Located in Harsh Nagar, the outlet offers Michelin's range of passenger car, SUV and two-wheeler tyres, including the Primacy, Pilot Sport, Latitude Sport and LTX Trail series. It also provides tyre-related services and automotive accessories.

The facility was inaugurated by Annu Mehla, Regional Sales Head – B2C (North and East), Michelin India, alongside the HJ Wheels team.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India, said: "Kanpur is a pivotal market in Michelin's North India growth journey with a strong automotive customer base and a growing interest in premium products. The launch of our new Michelin Tyre & Services store is a step towards bringing Michelin's globally benchmarked products and services closer to this growing base of discerning customers. As we prepare to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, we remain focused on delivering premium mobility solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers."

Michelin said the outlet is intended to improve access to its products and services as demand for premium automotive offerings grows in the region.

The company said Kanpur's improving connectivity through new expressways, expanding presence in electric and advanced manufacturing, ongoing urban development and changing consumer preferences influenced its decision to strengthen its retail network in the city.

The new outlet has been established with HJ Wheels, an automotive aftermarket business that has operated in Kanpur since 1989. Michelin said the partnership reflects its strategy of working with established local retailers to expand its customer reach.

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