The Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd has entered into a share purchase agreement with the Swedish-based Trelleborg AB to acquire all outstanding shares of Trelleborg Wheel Systems Holding AB (TWS), a company engaged in the manufacture and sale of off-highway tyres (OHT) for agricultural and industrial machinery. TWS’s enterprise value is EUR 2,040 million. 

Yokohama Rubber said in a statement that the acquisition is scheduled to be completed in the latter half of 2022. The acquisition’s impact on Yokohama Rubber’s consolidated financial results is currently under examination, it said. 

Yokohama Rubber is currently implementing its Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023) medium-term management plan for fiscal years 2021–2023.  

The TWS acquisition will contribute to the expansion of Yokohama Rubber’s OHT business, which YX2023 has positioned as a future growth driver for the company’s commercial tyre business. The ratio of consumer tyres to commercial tyres in today’s global tyre market is 1:1, but Yokohama Rubber’s tyre business sales are more heavily weighted toward consumer tyres, with a 2:1 ratio versus commercial tyres, the release pointed out. To bring the sales composition of its tyre business more in line with the overall market and secure the business’ stability and earnings growth, one of the key challenges facing Yokohama Rubber’s commercial tyre business is the growth of an OHT business capable of securing stably high earnings. The TWS acquisition will not only help Yokohama Rubber’s tyre business achieve a more optimal sales composition, but it will also strengthen the company’s commercial tyre business in each of the four thematic areas set forth in YX2023—product lineup, cost, service, and DX, the company said. 

TWS sales in fiscal 2021 totalled about YEN 129.0 billion, accounting for about 30 per cent of Trelleborg AB’s consolidated sales. Over the past 10 years, TWS has expanded its sales by 2.6 times and more than tripled EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes). While expanding sales it has sustained stably high profitability, with its EBIT ratio continuously above 10 per cent, the release said. 

Of tyres manufactured and sold by TWS, agricultural tyres account for about 60 per cent and industrial tyres about 20 per cent, with the remainder being tyres for construction machinery and motorcycles. TWS has 14 manufacturing plants in nine countries — seven in Europe (Italy, Latvia, Serbia, Slovenia, and three in the Czech Republic), two in the United States, one in Brazil, and four in Asia (two in China and two in Sri Lanka). About 70 per cent of its sales are in Europe. (TT)

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Hankook Tire has announced that its Winter i*cept evo 4 tyre secured first place in the latest Auto Bild winter tyre test. Competing in the 225/55 R18 size for SUVs and crossovers, it achieved an overall rating of 1.3, described as very good, beating nine rival models. The evaluation was carried out using a BMW X1.

The tyre stood out in wet conditions, earning a 1.2 rating after leading the field in both straight-line and cornering aquaplaning. It also recorded the highest average speed in dry handling while maintaining strong safety margins. Auto Bild further commended its dependable snow performance. Three tyres in total received very good ratings.

The Winter i*cept evo 4 is a studless tyre designed for passenger cars and SUVs, offering enhanced winter safety and fuel efficiency. It replaces the previous generation with a 5 percent improvement in snow grip, achieved through wider lateral grooves and semi-sipe technology.

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, joined forces with United Way Worldwide and the American Cancer Society's Road To Recovery for its yearly Week of Action.

Running from 21–25 September, the initiative mobilised staff at the company's Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. headquarters along with workers at about 100 distribution centres nationwide. The annual event, first introduced in 2024, invites TBC's roughly 3,000 employees to give back through volunteer work in their own communities. More than 2,000 volunteer hours have been logged since the programme began.

Across US sites, workers put together hygiene kits stocked with toothpaste, tissues, shampoo, conditioner, combs and deodorant, which were given to local United Way branches assisting people and families facing hardship. Additionally, employees wrote personalised messages for those served by the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery programme, which supplies free transportation to cancer-related medical visits. Thanks to TBC's involvement, 500 free rides became available for patients in that programme.

Looking ahead to October, the company's San Luis Potosi location in México will team up with Fondo Potosino and Colonia Juvenil, two organisations that deliver resources and create opportunities through programming, civic engagement and social support. TBC staff will take part in mentorship and team-building exercises alongside programme participants, aiming to build confidence and pave the way for future achievement.

Ron Harper, Chief Supply Chain Officer, TBC Corporation, said, “Giving back to the planet and making an impact in the communities in which we live and work is a core part of our vision. Our Week of Action reflects our commitment to doing right by our communities in meaningful and tangible ways.”

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Dunlop-equipped riders filled the rosters of the two strongest teams at this season's Motocross of Nations (MXoN), where Liam Everts, riding for Nestaan Husqvarna, played a pivotal role in ending Belgium's lengthy wait for the Chamberlain Trophy. Jorge Prado and Guillem Farres likewise turned in impressive rides on Dunlop rubber, propelling Spain to a narrow runner-up result at the prestigious gathering.

Only three points separated the leading teams when racing concluded, and Everts proved instrumental in Belgium's triumph. Having placed second in Saturday's Open-class qualifying, the Belgian followed up with a pair of fourth-place moto finishes on Sunday. Spain mounted a determined challenge across the weekend, briefly holding the top spot after the first moto before finishing three points adrift of Belgium.

Prado, a two-time MXGP champion, claimed second in both of his outings, enough to head the MXGP standings, while Farres contributed a fourth and a fifth to Spain's total. France also delivered Dunlop success, with Kawasaki's full-time pairing of Romain Febvre and Mathis Valin racing before a home crowd. While his teammates struggled, Febvre produced one of the day's standout individual displays, winning the opening moto and then taking third in the finale, where he also grabbed the Holeshot.

Those results placed Febvre second in the MXGP class behind Prado, while Farres and Camden McLellan of South Africa topped the MX2 standings. Everts ended second in the Open category, with fellow Dunlop rider Pauls Jonass of Latvia third. Dunlop riders claimed three of six race wins across qualifying and the main motos, and five of the nine Sunday podium finishers used the brand.

In total, 32 competitors from 16 nations depended on Dunlop's Geomax MX34 front and Geomax MX14 rear tyres, engineered respectively for soft-to-mid terrain and loose-surface traction. The weekend rounds off another standout season for Dunlop. Farres captured the MX2 world title and led Triumph Racing to a one-two with McLellan, while Febvre was MXGP runner-up after winning the crown on Dunlop the previous year. In America, Ken Roczen rode Dunlop to a first 450cc AMA Supercross championship, continuing Dunlop's unbroken run of AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross titles since 2010.

Wim Van Achter, Motorcycle Motorsport Manager EMEA, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “It has been a fantastic weekend of racing at the Motocross of Nations, and we congratulate Dunlop rider Liam Everts on the victory with Team Belgium. Team Spain fought hard all weekend, with Jorge and Guillem helping the team fight right to the end for the victory. We’re pleased that so many top riders continue to choose Dunlop Geomax tyres, and the results across the field weekend underline the performance of our Geomax MX34 and MX14 products.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling partnered with Henry County staff and volunteers for a three-day Tire Amnesty Event at the County Barn last week, during which thousands of scrap tyres were collected from residents seeking free and responsible disposal. The recurring programme, offered every three years, drew a steady stream of vehicles ranging from cars and trucks to trailers and farm equipment, generating sizable piles of tyres and underscoring both strong community participation and the persistent need for proper recycling.

County personnel, including Jason Stanley, Jeremy Raisor, James Nutgrass, Darrell Abbott, Zach Smith and Travis Buchanan, worked continuously to unload and organise tyres as residents arrived. Among those taking part was New Castle resident Charles Miller, who delivered over 100 tyres, many from demolition derby vehicles, and also brought tyres on behalf of several family members so that materials from multiple properties could be recycled.

Photo by The Henry County Local

Stanley reported that turnout substantially exceeded the previous amnesty event held three years ago, with residents arriving consistently throughout the collection period. Such events offer a convenient way to remove scrap tyres that might otherwise accumulate on properties, create safety hazards and serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests, thereby reducing environmental risks and advancing sustainable waste management.

Officials applaud the Kentucky Division of Waste Management and its local partners for organising these programmes, noting that states collecting mandatory tyre disposal or recycling fees can reinvest them in amnesty days that channel waste tyres into the recycling stream and deter illegal dumping. While the final tally remains pending, county officials anticipate the total will rank among the most successful amnesty events in recent years.

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