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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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently welcomed Dr Satya Tripathi, Secretary General, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet (GASP), for a courtesy visit to its Secretariat. During this engagement, Dr Tripathi held discussions with ANRPC’s Secretary General, Dr Suttipong Angthong, as well as Secretariat members Dr Lekshmi Nair and Riska Pujiati. This initial dialogue marked the beginning of conversations aimed at fostering collaboration between ANRPC and GASP to advance sustainability within the natural rubber industry.

Both groups acknowledged systemic challenges facing rubber producing nations, including environmental harm, climate instability and economic volatility. They agreed the industry must embrace the global Green Transition, ensuring rubber enters markets through transparent, ethical, and sustainable supply chains.

The dialogue explored partnerships to strengthen sector resilience and ethical integrity, with special emphasis on supporting smallholders through transformative initiatives that deliver environmental and social impact. The meeting highlighted how high-impact collaboration drives climate adaptation, resilient ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive prosperity. Dr Tripathi, a renowned development economist and former UN Assistant Secretary General, also participated in ANRPC’s COP30 side event promoting smallholder projects for net zero and beyond.

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Hankook Tire has announced a major brand advertising campaign set to run throughout the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, targeting fans across 26 stadiums in North America, including both United States and Canada. This initiative is designed to elevate the premium positioning of its globally unified ‘Hankook’ brand within the local market. The effort kicked off following the Opening Day game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees at Oracle Park in San Francisco on 25 March.

To broaden customer engagement, Hankook Tire will feature not only its core ‘Hankook’ brand identity but also its pioneering electric vehicle tyre lineup called ‘iON’, which is the world’s first full range of EV tyres, alongside the ‘Dynapro’ SUV tyre brand. A notable expansion this season is the inclusion of the Toronto Blue Jays’ home stadium in Ontario, Canada, allowing the company to extend its brand presence across the entire Canadian region for the first time.

Throughout the 2026 regular season, Hankook Tire plans to display its branding on major LED boards located in high-traffic areas such as behind home plate, along the first base line and on outfield fences. By integrating branding into these prominent ballpark locations, the company aims to naturally boost awareness of the ‘Hankook’ name among sports fans while strengthening its competitive edge in North America, a key global market for both SUVs and electric vehicles.

Since 2018, Hankook Tire has built on roughly five years of official MLB sponsorship to implement targeted sports marketing for local customers, reinforcing its premium image in the region. Following the successful World Baseball Classic, which showcased Major League talent, the company expects to enhance the innovative and dynamic image of its brand for both live spectators and baseball fans worldwide. Key markets featuring this high-visibility signage include New York, Boston, Atlanta and Toronto, among others, for the entire 2026 season.

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Magna Tyres has unveiled the M-TRUCK RG22, a commercial tyre aimed at the drive axle position of trucks engaged in regional haulage. This model is calibrated for shorter, repetitive routes where weather and road conditions change frequently. The tyre prioritises dependable grip and extended wear life, helping fleet operators achieve fewer replacements and more consistent handling.

The RG22 comes in sizes 295/60R22.5 and 315/60R22.5, with an 18 or 20 ply rating. Load and speed indices are 150/147K or 154/150L, and the tread carries both M+S and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. Fuel efficiency is rated C, wet braking grip is B, and noise output is 73 decibels, falling under the quietest A classification.

The RG22 effectively pushes water away from the contact patch, reducing aquaplaning risk on soaked regional roads. Its tread pattern promotes even wear, helping transport companies stretch mileage budgets. A sturdy internal construction withstands the stop-start stresses of regional work, offering a balanced solution where traction, longevity and all-weather reliability meet.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has launched Easter campaign to remind all road users that proper tyre maintenance is essential for a safe Easter getaway. With families carrying extra passengers, luggage and holiday treats, vehicles face increased strain, making tyre condition and pressure more critical than ever. Tyres are the only part of the car in contact with the road, so their health directly influences braking, handling and overall journey security.

Easter remains one of the busiest travel periods, and early signs point to another crowded weekend on British roads. According to the VisitEngland Domestic Trip Tracker 2025, a quarter of adults in Britain definitely planned an overnight Easter trip, with nearly one in five still undecided. As more families opt for UK breaks and rural staycations, the volume of traffic rises, and so does the reliance on tyres to cope with heavier loads and longer distances.

Carrying extra luggage, pushchairs, bikes and camping gear places significant additional weight on vehicles. Underinflated tyres under such loads lead to longer stopping distances, reduced stability, poorer steering control, greater risk of tyre failure and increased fuel consumption. Vehicle manufacturers provide specific pressure recommendations for fully loaded cars, yet many drivers overlook these adjustments before long journeys. Properly inflated tyres are vital to managing these risks.

Rural roads, popular for Easter escapes, remain the most dangerous in UK. A recent European Transport Safety Council report revealed that rural roads accounted for 59 percent of all UK road deaths in 2022, with over 10,100 fatalities in the past decade. While overall road deaths have fallen slightly, rural fatalities have not improved. Hazards such as sharp bends, narrow lanes, agricultural vehicles, poor lighting, potholes and slippery spring surfaces mean tyres must provide maximum grip and stability at all times.

TyreSafe’s own tread depth survey estimates that six million tyres on UK roads are illegal, meaning many vehicles are already unsafe before departure. To prevent Easter plans from unravelling, TyreSafe urges every driver to include tyre checks in their holiday routine, alongside packing and route planning, by embracing the simple ACT protocol: regular checks of air pressure, condition and tread depth.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Easter is a time for family, fresh air and making memories – but it’s also one of the busiest times on our roads. Heavily loaded vehicles, long journeys and rural routes can all increase risk if tyres aren’t properly maintained. Something as simple as adjusting your tyre pressures for a full car can make a significant difference to safety and performance. Before you hop off on your Easter adventure, take a few minutes to ACT – check your Air pressure, Condition and Tread. It’s a small step that could make a life-saving difference.”

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