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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Maxion İnci Wheel Group, a joint venture between Maxion Wheels and İnci Holding, has inaugurated Formare Türkiye alongside the Iochpe Foundation of Brazil, the İnci Foundation and Manisa Celal Bayar University. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new Formare Learning Center in Manisa. Originally established by the Iochpe Foundation in Brazil over three decades ago, Formare is a professional qualification initiative that merges classroom instruction with practical industrial experience, aiming to improve the prospects of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Türkiye becomes the first European nation to implement the programme and the fifth country overall, following Brazil, Mexico, India and Argentina. This launch is seen as a significant move towards boosting youth employability, social inclusion and hands-on learning in the country. It also underscores Maxion İnci Wheel Group's capacity to bridge industry, academia and society within the region.

The selection of Türkiye for this expansion was driven by its robust industrial sector, the presence of six manufacturing plants in Manisa, a well-developed vocational education system and the dedication of all partners to Formare's social mission. The initiative demonstrates the Iochpe and İnci Foundations' shared resolve to create opportunities for young people by reinforcing the link between education and employment. Formare Türkiye tailors the programme's established approach to local conditions, delivering benefits to students, businesses and the wider community.

The inaugural group consists of 16 students between the ages of 18 and 23, drawn from Manisa Vocational School of Technical Sciences and the Department of Machinery and Metal Technologies. Nine of these participants are young women, highlighting Formare's dedication to advancing female talent in technical disciplines. The one-year programme concludes with a participation certificate and combines technical instruction with socio-emotional development, preparing students for corporate expectations. The curriculum was created with Manisa Celal Bayar University and approved by the institution, while the Manisa Organized Industrial Park contributed insights into sectoral requirements. Educators include Maxion İnci Wheel Group staff, external trainers, İnci Foundation volunteers and university academics.

Pieter Klinkers, President and CEO, Iochpe-Maxion, said, “Formare Türkiye reflects our belief that business success must go hand in hand with creating opportunities for our youth and the communities where they live. By bringing together the experience of the Iochpe Foundation, the local strength of Maxion İnci Wheel Group and the academic contribution of Manisa Celal Bayar University, we are helping young people gain the skills and confidence they need for the future.”

Mustafa Zaim, Chairman of the Board of Maxion İnci and Maxion Jantaş, said, “Formare Türkiye is a meaningful example of how industry can contribute to the future by investing in youth. At Maxion İnci Wheel Group, we are proud to support a programme that gives young people the opportunity to gain practical experience, build professional confidence and take stronger steps into working life. We believe this collaboration will create lasting value for our students, our region and our country.”

Claudio Anjos, President, Iochpe Foundation, said, “For more than three decades, Formare has shown how education, practical experience and volunteer engagement can open new paths for young people. The launch in Türkiye brings this proven model into a new context, enriched by the partnership between Maxion İnci Wheel Group and Manisa Celal Bayar University. It is also an opportunity for us to share the experience built in Brazil while continuing to learn from each community where Formare grows.”

Ece Elbirlik Ürkmez, Energy Source, İnci Foundation, said, “As a foundation with 41 years of experience, we are committed to expanding opportunities for young people to become active and productive members of society through education. We believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting social impact. Formare Türkiye is particularly meaningful to us as it gives young people the opportunity to discover their potential, gain hands-on experience and step into working life with greater confidence. We are proud to support this collaboration and contribute to a programme that creates value for young people, industry and society.”

Prof Dr Oktay Üçer, Acting Rector, Manisa Celal Bayar University, said, “As Manisa Celal Bayar University, we value Formare Türkiye as a strong step in bringing academic learning closer to the needs of industry. By combining classroom education with practical experience, the programme will help our students develop the skills and perspective required for their professional future. We are pleased to be part of this collaboration, which also strengthens university-industry cooperation in our region.”

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Tegeta Green Planet opened the Light Vehicle Diagnostics course at Tegeta Academy with a presentation for attendees aged 17 to 33. Beyond their chosen vocational field, participants learned about automotive waste management and environmental responsibility.

Shalva Akhvlediani, the organisation’s director, outlined its activities and goals while emphasising Extended Producer Responsibility. The session examined how the automotive sector connects to environmental duty and why used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries must be collected and managed properly.

Tyre management and RECSOL featured prominently. Attendees traced a used tyre’s path from collection to recycling and learned how waste becomes a source of new resources. RECSOL, Tegeta’s tyre recycling plant, is a significant infrastructure project in used tyre recycling, processing tyres into materials for various uses and supporting circular economy principles.

A core aim is a system where waste is not an endpoint but the starting point for new resources, which requires infrastructure alongside greater public awareness and information on proper disposal. For participants, the meeting linked professional education with environmental awareness, stressing that future automotive professionals should understand this responsibility early.

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Tyres Europe, alongside ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) and CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers), has dispatched a joint communication to EU decision-makers concerning the possible broadening of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to cover downstream goods. The move comes as trilogue discussions approach.

Tyre producers form part of an automotive value chain already bearing carbon-related expenses for steel and aluminium manufactured within Europe. The proposed expansion would draw additional products into the mechanism’s remit before the existing framework has demonstrated its effectiveness. Resulting costs and administrative requirements would land on downstream manufacturers, tyre makers included, with signatories cautioning that a conceptually sound regulatory effort could become an operational and financial strain.

Endorsing the mechanism’s aims, the signatories nonetheless urge a proportionate scope that shields the entire value chain from carbon leakage while preventing that risk from being pushed further downstream. They advocate extending the mechanism only where a material carbon-leakage danger is evidenced, and request that policymakers ease compliance demands, including via more fitting default values mirroring real production routes.

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NEXEN TIRE has extended its partnership with Zalgiris, reinforcing its commitment to basketball in Europe, particularly across the Baltic region. The renewal builds on a relationship that began in 2024 and reflects the company’s broader strategy of linking its brand to performance, innovation and mobility.

The tyre maker has pursued sports partnerships as a way to connect with fans, sharing in the passion and excitement of supporting favourite teams during major matches and memorable moments. It also values the teamwork, dedication and collective achievement that define team sports, using such ties to build authentic connections and deepen engagement in key European markets. Its collaboration with clubs including Zalgiris and FC Bayern München forms part of this approach.

Under the extended agreement, NEXEN TIRE will gain greater visibility among sports fans in the region. The partnership offers branding opportunities at Zalgirio Arena, such as synchronised on-screen advertising and promotion on LED stands near the court, in a position visible on television during EuroLeague and LKL home games.

The arrangement also includes a hospitality programme allowing NEXEN TIRE to welcome guests and business partners at Zalgiris home fixtures. Through the strengthened alliance, the company aims to share its passion with more fans while raising brand awareness across the region.

Ricky Lee, Managing Director, NEXEN TIRE Poland, said, “Our cooperation with Zalgiris has developed positively since 2024, and we are pleased to extend and strengthen this partnership. Basketball has a particularly strong following in the Baltic region, making Zalgiris an important partner as we continue to grow our presence and engage with fans. We look forward to supporting the team throughout the season and doing our best to create positive experiences for both the players and their passionate fans.”

Paulius Jankunas, President, Zalgiris, said, “We are delighted to continue our cooperation with NEXEN TIRE and build on the partnership we started two years ago. NEXEN TIRE brings extensive experience in sports marketing, and we are proud to work together on creating meaningful projects and experiences for our fans. We look forward to another successful period of cooperation and to welcoming NEXEN TIRE’s guests and partners to our games and events.”

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