Being a global supplier of tyre oil, Nynas supplies its products to major tyre companies worldwide. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges in transporting goods through all three modes of transportations, and Nynas is no exception! In an interview with Sharad Matade of Tyre Trends, Rogier van Hoof, Head of Secondary Distribution Naphthenics at Nynas, says enhanced communication and exchange of information digitally will help the company handle the new challenges. He also added that the container availability is expected to be normalised in 2022 but road transportation will remain a challenge.

Ever since Covid-19 engulfed the world, the job of Rogier van Hoof, Head of Secondary Distribution Naphthenics at Nynas, has become more challenging. Though tyre production is coming back on track speedily, the challenges at the logistic front are still demanding. Recollecting the initial impact of Covid, van Hoof says, "For Nynas, it all started in early 2020, when the lockdowns in China forced factories to close down manufacturing activities. However, the initial shock was largely seen in truck movements. As part of the measures, drivers had to go into quarantine after a long haul drive. They could pick up a container, but they had to go into quarantine when they were back at the delivery point. So we saw an immediate effect on the truck availability. The cascading impact, I don't think anybody could have predicted. We are on a steep learning curve since the beginning of 2020."

van Hoof and his team swung into action and immediately enhanced the communication with its customers, forwarders and logistic partners to evaluate options to tackle the unprecedented challenges. "I don't think anyone was prepared for what had happened afterwards. Before Covid, people used to take logistics for granted that you order something and it's there when you want it. But with the Covid situation, people have realised to approach things differently, not only on the factory levels but also on the logistics sides on a day to day basis. There are still many limitations we have to deal with," says van Hoof.

According to van Hoof, in the last one and a half years, the just-in-time concept is out of the window and long-term planning has become the priority. "In the past, we knew there was a vessel going every week, and we had substantial free times in getting the containers in, getting them loaded and bringing them to the quay. Even if we would miss a vessel, we always could ship it next week, so the delay was manageable – but that has gone completely out of the window today. It is clear that if you miss a vessel, the next vessel with space will be there maybe in a month. This means everyone needs to plan much further ahead," says van Hoof.

Most countries are now recovering from the Covid impact; however, many major export destinations are still grappling with severe restrictions. Many main ports are congested and containers are either stacking up at cargo ports or in inland depots. This imbalance results in waiting time for space on vessels, according to reports, between three to eight weeks. The logistics supply chain is struggling to get back in balance resulting in extreme price spikes and unpredictable delays. "This is a situation which is unprecedented; we have never seen it before," adds van Hoof.

van Hoof says loyalty and predictability are helping the company sail through the rough time. "We have been working with our logistic partners for a long time and, therefore, they know that what we promise them, we deliver. Predictability towards the stakeholders like transporters, shipping lines, forwarders has become key. In desperation, many companies are making overbooking of containers but failing to utilise the booking fully. In our relationship with our forwarders and the shipping lines, we have been able to show loyalty and keep our promise. If we tell the shipping line that we will ship 50 containers this week, we will make sure that these 50 containers are there. Our loyalty is rewarded by the fact that they will treat us as a preferential client. Price is no longer the highest priority, and this is something people need to realise. There's always somebody who is prepared to pay more,” explains van Hoof.

van Hoof feels the container availability situation will be normalised by 2022, but the driver availability issue will remain a more significant issue.

Currently, the company has 23 depots worldwide, of which Antwerp, Houston and Singapore are central storage facilities and blending stations. Last year, the company transported around 700,000 tonnes of oil by sea. There were also 30,000 deliveries by road tanker, 10.000 container transports and 250,000 drums delivered to customers worldwide.

However, opening more depots to tackle the logistic challenges is not viable, thinks van Hoof. Around 2018-19, shipping costs for containers were at the lowest level ever; companies always preferred shipping over setting up depots. "Now our shipping costs have not only increased substantially, but the reliability of the shipping has gone down to the lowest ever. I think that less than 60 percent of the vessels arrive at the bars on time. So we are continuously looking at what is now the best solution. But you also have to consider that opening a depot in a country is not a temporary thing. It is something you do for the long run," explains van Hoof.

van Hoof also sees a possibility of working with its clients to manage container utilisation. "There are customers who are logistically shipping more than we do. So can we use the strength of both companies to find a solution? For instance, let's say we ship 100 containers to India and our customer ships 200 containers from India, so we are seeing if we can help each other, can we use their containers? We see more and more openness among the stakeholders in tackling logistic challenges," says van Hoof.

Nynas is currently implementing a transport management system within the company, which will allow it to digitalise the information. The transport management system allows exchanging data between stakeholders, including Nynas' depots, transporters, forwarders, inspectors and customs agents. "Today, everybody's under stress, and people need real information in real time," adds van Hoof.

The company plans to go into the second phase to integrate all that information with other stakeholders.

The Nynas executive advises the youngsters in the transporting job to be agile and eager to learn to tackle unusual situations. "You need to deal with much information and make sense of that information and use it correctly. So if you are somebody who gets up in the morning and goes to work, and has no idea what will happen during the day, then you're a suitable candidate for the job. For me, I make a little list of two or three things to do every day, and at the end of the day, I'm always happy that I've done two or three jobs, because, during the day, there are so many other things that need attention or immediate attention," concludes van Hoof. (TT)

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Prinx Chengshan is showcasing its core brand portfolio at the 21st China International Tire and Wheel Expo (CITEXPO 2026), which commenced in Shanghai on 2 September. Having evolved over two decades, this annual gathering has solidified its status as a pivotal professional trade fair for the Asia-Pacific tyre and wheel sector. The company’s exhibition presence features its four principal labels: PRINX, Chengshan, Austone and Fortune.

A significant focus of Prinx Chengshan's recent corporate strategy has been the off-the-road tyre segment, where substantial industrial advancements have been achieved. The company has operationalised a green, intelligent manufacturing facility dedicated to OTR production, leading to the successful serial production of giant tyres in 27.00R49, 30.00R51 and 33.00R51 dimensions. The recent addition of a 57-inch model, which completed production in August, has expanded this product matrix and signifies a new developmental phase in speciality tyre engineering.

The company's technological prowess in the OTR field is demonstrated by specific products at the expo, including the ERD47 tyre for rigid dump trucks and the ET36 for wide-body dump trucks. These models serve as tangible evidence of the manufacturer's continuous research and development breakthroughs within this demanding sector.

In the passenger vehicle domain, Prinx Chengshan is presenting its newly launched Austone MEI series, which embodies the brand's philosophy of instilling driving confidence and aesthetic appeal. This series offers three distinct products: the Meizong all-terrain tyre, the Meijie ultra-high-performance tyre and the Meitu high-performance tyre. Also featured is the Prinx Chroma Sprite, which distinguishes itself with coloured sidewalls that challenge conventional tyre aesthetics while incorporating noise-reduction and anti-photo-oxidation technologies for enhanced durability.

Leveraging extensive commercial vehicle expertise, the company has developed proprietary technologies including GPT low rolling resistance, X-CHIP intelligent tyre and ETT wear-resistance for electric trucks. These innovations have established industry benchmarks in the replacement market and facilitated growth in original equipment segments. The Austone AAR608 for long-haul routes and the Fortune FDO307 for mining conditions are on display, showcasing the expanding scope of the company's industrial solutions.

Looking forward, Prinx Chengshan intends to persist with its integrated product and service approach, focusing on the varied requirements of global customers. By enhancing product quality, service delivery and brand equity, the company aims to contribute substantially to the sustainable progress of the worldwide transportation industry through its advanced manufacturing capabilities.

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Triangle Tyre has been appointed as the inaugural Official Tyre Partner of Brentford Football Club following the signing of a new two-year exclusivity agreement in the tyre category. The contract was formalised in London by Brentford Commercial Director Fran James and Triangle Tyre’s Europe General Manager, Corrado Moglia.

The alliance unites two performance-focused entities that share a challenger philosophy, having each ascended in their fields through strategic intelligence and operational efficiency. Brentford’s renowned data-driven methodologies are complemented by Triangle Tyre’s dedication to engineering research and product advancement, creating a synergy between on-pitch analytics and industrial innovation.

As part of the arrangement, Stapleton’s Tyre Services, the largest UK distributor of passenger car tyres, has been designated as the Local Delivery Partner to facilitate the activation of commercial rights domestically. Brentford’s international visibility is expected to elevate Triangle Tyre’s global brand presence, while the club will also coordinate targeted promotional efforts within London and the broader United Kingdom.

Sustainability forms a core pillar of the collaboration, providing a platform to highlight Triangle Tyre’s environmental commitments and technological developments alongside community initiatives nationwide. The tyre manufacturer will benefit from matchday branding at the Gtech Community Stadium, player and ambassador content opportunities and exclusive hospitality access during home fixtures.

Fran Jones, Commercial Director, Brentford, said, "It's very exciting to welcome another challenger brand like Triangle to our partnership family. When you share that mindset, the understanding of what the partnership can achieve is clear from the start. Triangle's innovation and sustainable commitments really impressed us too, so I have full faith that this is the beginning of a strong, impactful relationship."

Corrado Moglia, General Manager – Europe, Triangle Tyre, said, “We are extremely pleased to begin this partnership with Brentford Football Club. Brentford is a club with a strong identity, an ambitious approach and a reputation for competing successfully through intelligence, organisation and determination. Triangle and Brentford share a challenger mindset and believe that data, technology and efficiency can deliver outstanding results. This partnership is an important step in strengthening Triangle’s brand visibility across Europe while providing a powerful global platform to communicate our innovation, sustainability and corporate responsibility.”

Andy Fern, Managing Director, Stapleton’s Tyre Services, said, “We are delighted to support this exciting partnership. As the UK’s largest tyre distribution business, we have worked with Triangle for many years to bring its passenger car tyres to market, and have seen first-hand the brand’s commitment to innovation, quality and sustainable development. Brentford’s progressive approach and strong community connection make them an excellent partner. We look forward to bringing the partnership to life and creating meaningful opportunities to engage our customers, and, ultimately, drivers across the country.”

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Michelin has secured a landmark contract extension with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, cementing its role as the exclusive tyre supplier for the Hypercar class in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The renewed agreement, which emerged from a formal tender process, will now remain in effect through the conclusion of the 2032 season, adding three additional years to the existing deal that was originally set to expire in 2029.

The French tyre manufacturer has maintained an uninterrupted presence in elite endurance racing since 1998 and was instrumental in the championship’s revival in 2012. Currently, Michelin supplies every competitor within the Hypercar field, a category that showcases premier global automotive brands. Within this highly competitive environment, tyre performance directly influences speed, strategic decision-making, safety protocols and overall ecological footprint.

Endurance racing continues to function as a critical testing ground for Michelin’s technological advancements, with extreme track conditions, varied weather and sustained high-speed loads driving rapid innovation. These rigorous demands facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge developments to everyday road tyres. Furthermore, the company has leveraged motorsport to advance sustainable mobility, as evidenced by the new 2026 MICHELIN Pilot Sport Endurance range, whose slick compounds now feature 50 percent renewable and recycled materials.

This extended partnership ensures Michelin will maintain its development platform alongside the FIA, the ACO and all Hypercar manufacturers. The collaboration underscores racing’s capacity to produce tangible, resource-conscious solutions that uphold performance standards while addressing environmental considerations across the entire tire lifecycle.

Matthieu Bonardel, Director, Michelin Motorsport, said, “We are particularly proud of the renewed confidence shown in Michelin by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. I would like to sincerely thank both organisations for the quality of our discussions throughout this tender process. This contract extension is a strong recognition of the quality of the tyres and services we provide, as well as our ability to continuously innovate. It is also excellent news for our teams and for all our manufacturer partners, with whom we share the same ambition: to push the boundaries of performance while accelerating the transition towards increasingly sustainable mobility.”

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Continental has released a new study identifying tyre pressure management as a significant, yet often overlooked, factor in controlling volatile fuel costs for truck fleets operating across United States and Canada. The research quantifies the direct financial impact of proper inflation, revealing that maintaining tyres at recommended levels can yield substantial savings over time. The analysis underscores that even minor deviations from optimal pressure can have a pronounced effect on overall fuel economy.

The six-month study meticulously examined 4,000 trips from a fleet of 10 tractor-trailers, comparing fuel consumption across various tyre pressures. With the vehicles averaging 106 PSI against a target of 110 PSI, the data demonstrated that correcting this discrepancy resulted in a fuel economy improvement of roughly 0.62 miles per gallon. This increase, which represents a 7.9 percent gain, elevated the average from 7.87 MPG to 8.49 MPG, confirming the powerful correlation between inflation and efficiency.

The projected annual savings for a single vehicle, based on 80,000 miles driven and a fuel price of USD 4.05 per gallon, are estimated at USD 1,718. The financial benefits scale exponentially with fleet size, with Continental forecasting annual savings of approximately USD 85,900 for a 50-truck operation, escalating to over USD 17 million for a fleet of 10,000 vehicles. These figures highlight the considerable economic leverage available through consistent tire maintenance.

Given that tyre pressure naturally declines over time and can easily go unnoticed between manual inspections, Continental advocates for its digital monitoring solution, ContiConnect. The system employs internal sensors to provide continuous, real-time data on pressure and temperature, sending automated alerts when readings fall outside preset boundaries. This technology enables fleet operators to proactively manage tyre health, ensuring sustained fuel savings while simultaneously enhancing tyre longevity and minimising vehicle downtime.

Renato Sarzano, Senior Vice President – Truck Tires Americas, Continental, said, “With fuel prices staying high and volatile, fuel economy has become one of the most important factors in a fleet’s bottom line – and that’s only going to intensify in the years ahead. Tyre pressure is one of the few cost levers fleets can control directly, but staying on top of it shouldn’t be another thing operators have to worry about. ContiConnect addresses this, turning continuous tyre data into measurable savings. For operators under constant cost pressure, that’s a meaningful and lasting advantage.”

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