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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CEAT has introduced a comprehensive set of policies aimed at supporting the specific needs of its women employees and fostering their professional advancement. The organisation emphasises work-life balance as a means to enhance both personal well-being and workplace productivity, offering flexible remote work options in coordination with managers. A Wellness Leave policy allows women two days of monthly work-from-home or leave during menstruation without requiring justification, while shopfloor employees can access on-site Occupational Health Centres for shift changes or rest as necessary.

To cultivate leadership and career growth, CEAT has implemented targeted programmes such as Womentoring, the Women Accelerator Program and STARS, which focus on building digital, functional and leadership competencies. The EmpowHer Employee Resource Group further promotes inclusion and facilitates open dialogue within the organisation.

The company also provides extensive support for mothers, including 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, hospitalisation coverage and facilities such as crèches and lactation rooms across offices and plants. Returning mothers can benefit from flexible hours and a reduced four-hour workday until their child turns one, while shopfloor workers are assigned morning shifts during the first year after childbirth. A gender-neutral Child Caregiver Travel and Stay Policy ensures that caregiving responsibilities do not hinder career progression.

In manufacturing, CEAT has enhanced accessibility by introducing automated machinery, ergonomic fixtures and lift-assist devices. These changes have contributed to a 20 percent women workforce at the Chennai facility and 28 percent representation on the Nagpur shopfloor, which was the first in Maharashtra to introduce night shifts for women. Safe transport, women security personnel and ergonomic workplace design further support this inclusion. Collectively, these efforts reflect CEAT’s commitment to enabling women to lead and succeed in diverse roles.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

ZC Rubber is showcasing an extensive selection of industrial and off-the-road tyre solutions at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 trade show, being held from 3 to 7 March 2026 in Las Vegas. Attendees can visit the company at booth #N11041 in the North Hall to explore products from its key brands, including WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU. These offerings are specifically engineered to withstand the rigorous demands of sectors such as construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling.

The display features a comprehensive range of products, such as radial OTR tyres, agricultural tyres, forest tyres, material handling tyres and rubber tracks. Each product is designed to deliver durability, superior traction and operational efficiency in challenging work environments. The exhibition provides an important platform for ZC Rubber to engage with industry professionals, highlight its technological advancements and demonstrate its commitment to supporting global construction and industrial sectors with reliable, high-performance solutions.

Visitors can explore the lineup and speak with the team to learn how these tyre solutions can enhance productivity across a wide variety of applications.

Benjamin Lou, Global OTR Director, ZC Rubber, said, “CONEXPO brings together the people and machines that keep the world building, and it’s a great place for us to connect with customers face-to-face. With brands like WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU under one roof, we’re able to offer a true one-stop tyre solution across construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling. Our goal is simple – help customers find the right tyre for every job, all in one place.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone Corporation has announced a significant advancement in environmental research with the development of an industry-first vehicle collection method for tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) specifically from truck and bus tyres. This innovation is designed to enhance scientific understanding of how such particles may interact with the environment. Tyre and road wear particles are generated through the friction between a tyre’s tread and the road surface – a process essential for vehicle safety and comfort – and consist of a combination of worn tyre material and fragments of road pavement. The newly developed collection method for trucks and buses was also showcased at the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held from 3 to 5 March in Hannover, Germany.

The company had previously introduced a collection method for passenger car tyres in 2025 and has since been working to improve its efficiency. Applying insights gained from that earlier development, particularly regarding how particles are generated and dispersed, Bridgestone created a proprietary system tailored to the larger scale of truck and bus tyres. To ensure the accuracy of the collected samples, the company used a dedicated proving ground designed to replicate real-world driving conditions. Before each test, the track was meticulously cleaned to prevent contamination from pre-existing debris.

For the collection process, Bridgestone engineered suction devices and intake mechanisms compatible with larger tyres. A sturdy aluminium frame was used to construct the tyre cover, ensuring durability against strong winds during operation. Following controlled driving sessions, particles that remained both on the track surface and inside the tyre cover were gathered for analysis.

This effort is part of a broader commitment to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of tyre wear particles and their potential environmental effects. Bridgestone participates in the Tire Industry Project (TIP) facilitated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and collaborates with external research organisations and corporate partners. With the ability to collect samples from both passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks and buses, the company aims to accelerate research, share findings widely and support efforts to reduce particle generation.

Alongside this research, Bridgestone is advancing several complementary initiatives. These include developing longer-lasting tyres with improved wear resistance, offering solutions that help customers lower total operating costs and working to minimise environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

UTAC, a prominent player in the automotive testing, inspection and certification sector, is significantly broadening its footprint in China. The company has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge proving ground in Huainan, situated in the central province of Anhui. This ambitious project is being developed through a collaboration with the Huainan City Government and is set to become the primary strategic hub for the UTAC Group’s operations within the country. By establishing this facility, UTAC aims to bolster the mobility industry with top-tier testing capabilities and specialised knowledge.

The new site will enable UTAC’s team of specialists to offer homologation and testing services that align with the most current international benchmarks and regulatory standards. This initiative is a direct continuation of the group’s overarching goal to foster a mobility landscape that is both safer and more environmentally friendly. The Huainan facility is designed to be comprehensive, featuring a variety of specialised tracks for vehicle testing, along with a technology park that includes rentable workshops and office spaces. It will also house a dedicated conference and exhibition centre and purpose-built laboratories outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. These labs will be specifically geared towards testing the latest advancements in new energy vehicles.

Anhui province itself provides a rich environment for such an investment. Home to 70 million people, it hosts a dense and extensive mobility ecosystem. Major automotive manufacturers like BYD, Changan, Chery, JAC, NIO and Volkswagen, together with their extensive supply networks, are deeply embedded in the region. The province’s manufacturing prowess is underscored by its production of roughly 3.7 million vehicles in 2023, a figure that positions Anhui as China’s leader in overall vehicle manufacturing, new-energy vehicle production and vehicle exports. Consequently, the new proving ground in Huainan is poised to become a vital strategic component for UTAC, solidifying its presence in this central hub of the Chinese mobility industry.

Connor McCormack, CEO, UTAC, said, " We are extremely proud of our partnership with the city of Huainan, which is undergoing a significant transformation to support the future of the automotive industry. UTAC is delighted to contribute to this transformation and to bring our 100 years of specialist expertise, along with the European standards we have helped shape and validate, to China’s vital automotive sector.”

Mayor Zhang Zhiqiang of Huainan City said, “This represents a significant milestone in Huainan's efforts to accelerate the development of its intelligent connected vehicle industry. It is of great importance in bridging the critical gap in the regional automotive sector’s industrial chain of ‘testing-production-export' and establishing a specialised vehicle testing and certification platform with international recognition. The successful cooperation on this project will undoubtedly advance the high-end and intelligent transformation of the regional automotive industry, providing strong impetus for Anhui Province's efforts to foster a new energy vehicle industrial cluster with international competitiveness.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!