140 Years Of Innovation: The Legacy And Future Of Comerio Ercole S.p.A.

140 Years Of Innovation: The Legacy And Future Of Comerio Ercole S.p.A.

In 2025, Comerio Ercole proudly celebrates 140 years of activity – a monumental milestone that reflects not only the strength of its legacy but also the resilience, adaptability and innovative spirit that have shaped its journey since 1885.

From its origins as a manufacturer of machinery and industrial plants, Comerio Ercole has grown into a globally respected industrial group, fully integrated from design to commissioning, operating with precision, quality and commitment to technological advancement. Headquartered in Busto Arsizio and Castellanza, with over 55,000 square metres of operational facilities, Comerio Ercole remains a beacon of excellence in the tyre industry supplying high-performance complete rubber calender lines.

A legacy rooted in excellence

Built on generations of family leadership and continuous investment in knowledge and infrastructure, Comerio Ercole has positioned itself as a pioneer in patented calendering and mixing technologies, with machinery and solutions operating in India and on every continent. The company's ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications underscore its ongoing dedication to quality, sustainability and safety.

Over the decades, Comerio Ercole has cultivated long-term partnerships with key players in industrial innovation. These alliances – both technological and commercial – have enabled the company to develop tailored solutions for its clients, often in the form of turnkey plants, revamping services or customised IoT-enabled systems. The company's R&D activities, supported by two state-of-the-art laboratories, continue to lead the way in circular economy practices and recycling technologies, including processing of recovered rubber materials.

 

Engineering the future: INDUSTRY 5.0

As the industrial world enters the ‘Industry 5.0’ era, Comerio Ercole is embracing the future with agility. A new, dedicated Industry 5.0 department is now operational to support global customers with advanced IoT integration, teleservice and remote maintenance systems.

With a strong emphasis on ESG sustainability, digital transformation and the human-centric approach of Industry 5.0, Comerio Ercole continues to position itself at the cutting edge of modern manufacturing.

 

Circular economy & environmental commitment

In partnership with other Italian companies, Comerio Ercole is driving a new industrial standard for rubber recycling through the LOGOS patented plant – a compact devulcanisation solution that transforms vulcanised rubber waste into 100 percent reusable compounds for tyre and rubber production​. This new project is a clear signal: the company’s future is circular, and sustainability is more than a goal – it’s an operational strategy.

 

People, values, vision

At the heart of Comerio Ercole’s longevity is its people – over 200 highly trained technicians, engineers and professionals – and its values: quality, technology, reliability, competence and service.

Through continuous education and a company-wide ‘Quality Culture’, Comerio Ercole empowers its teams to meet the most demanding global challenges.

 

What’s next?

Comerio Ercole is not just preparing for the future, it’s building it. As it enters this new era, the company is focused on:

  • Scalable IoT & AI solutions for every machine and plant
  • Sustainable production models compliant with international ESG regulation
  • Custom engineering projects
  • Global partnerships to co-create innovation

 

As it looks to the future, Comerio Ercole stands not only as a symbol of Italian industrial heritage but also as a visionary leader shaping the future of manufacturing – a company ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges with the same passion and precision that defined its first 140 years.

Apollo Tyres CFO Gaurav Kumar Resigns After 22 Years

Apollo Tyres CFO Gaurav Kumar Resigns After 22 Years

Gaurav Kumar has resigned as a whole-time director of Apollo Tyres, the Indian tyre manufacturer, after more than two decades with the company, though he will remain chief financial officer during a transition period.

The Gurugram-based company's board approved the resignation at a meeting on Thursday. Kumar steps down as a director, and consequently as a member of the risk management committee, with effect from the close of business the same day. The company said he had confirmed there was no material reason for his departure beyond that stated in his resignation letter.

Kumar will continue as chief financial officer for such period as is necessary to ensure a smooth transition, after which he will cease to be part of the company's senior management.

In his resignation letter, Kumar said: "It has been terrific to be part of the incredible journey at Apollo Tyres thus far. I have learned, and hopefully contributed in equal measure, and now seek to explore alternative and new challenges. I wish Apollo Tyres the very best for the journey ahead and will always be part of the Apollo Tyres Family." He added that he was grateful to Onkar Kanwar and Neeraj Kanwar for their support during his tenure of more than 22 years at the company.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, said: "Gaurav deserves kudos for the critical role he has played in the growth of Apollo Tyres, both in India and overseas, in the last twenty years. While we do regret losing him, we are conscious of his personal aspirations and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

The company said it was in the process of appointing a new chief financial officer.

Shrader Tire & Oil Expands Bob Feldbauer's Role To President And COO

Shrader Tire & Oil Expands Bob Feldbauer's Role To President And COO

Shrader Tire & Oil (STO) has announced the appointment of Bob Feldbauer to the role of President, effective 1 August 2026. He will concurrently serve as Chief Operating Officer, while Joe Shrader maintains his position as Chief Executive Officer.

Feldbauer’s ascent follows his arrival at STO in early 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, a role built upon a robust industry resume. His prior engagements include a lengthy stint at the helm of Jack’s Tire & Oil in Utah and a substantial period with Michelin North America, where he handled sales and managerial assignments.

Under the new structure, Feldbauer’s purview widens to encompass both internal fleet management across 14 sites and outward-facing commercial development, including alliances and market expansion. With the founding family’s fourth generation now active within the firm, the succession plan reinforces the enduring principles established when the company opened in 1948.

Shrader said, “Bob has proven exactly what we hoped he would when we brought him on board – sharp operational instincts and a real drive to help this company grow. Putting him in the President seat lets us move faster on the growth plans we’ve been building towards.”

Feldbauer said, “It has been a fast year and a half at Shrader Tire & Oil. I have gained tremendous insight and valuable knowledge about our organisation’s structure, company culture and an understanding of our overall goals and commitments. One thing is clearly obvious – the commitment Shrader employees have to deliver the best customer experience each and every time. I appreciate this and look forward to supporting them as their President and COO.”

BKT Drives Beyond Off-Highway With Mumbai Airport Brand Showcase

BKT Drives Beyond Off-Highway With Mumbai Airport Brand Showcase

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has unveiled a brand installation at the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) T2 Elevated Road Underpass as the tyre manufacturer seeks to broaden its positioning beyond its traditional Off-Highway business and strengthen awareness of its expanding on-highway portfolio in India.

The 2,000 sq. ft. installation, inspired by the company's "Elevate Your Drive" philosophy, highlights BKT's portfolio across agriculture, construction, mining, earthmoving, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. The activation comes as the company expands its presence in India's two-wheeler and commercial vehicle tyre segments.

Designed to move beyond conventional outdoor advertising, the installation features nine illuminated tyre-shaped displays, each 8 feet in diameter, using the tyre itself as the central storytelling element. It opens with a large-format visual featuring BKT brand ambassador Ranveer Singh, followed by a sequence of displays illustrating the company's expanding mobility portfolio. The installation will remain at the airport for 24 months.

Mumbai International Airport handled a record 55.5 million passengers in 2025, providing the company with sustained visibility among business travellers and consumers.

"For BKT, innovation goes beyond product engineering; it extends to how we tell our story. This installation reflects a simple yet powerful idea: our tyre itself becomes the medium through which travellers experience the breadth of BKT's world. As we expand our presence across India's mobility landscape, it is important that consumers see BKT not through a single product category, but as a brand that supports movement across diverse terrains, applications and journeys. Mumbai Airport provides an ideal stage for us to express that transformation in a memorable and distinctive way," said Satish Sharma, Senior President & Director – Business Development and Strategy, BKT.

The installation was conceptualised by Infectious Advertising and uses immersive design, sequential storytelling and its airport location to showcase the company's wider mobility portfolio. According to BKT, the activation is intended to connect its established Off-Highway business with its growing presence in India's on-highway mobility market.

Epsilon Carbon Reports 10% Reduction In Upstream Logistics Emissions In FY2026

Epsilon Carbon - LNG - Electric truck

Mumbai-headquartered leading carbon black manufacturer Epsilon Carbon has reported a 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions across its upstream transportation operations during FY2025–26. The reduction was achieved through the deployment of an electric and liquefied natural gas freight fleet.

An independent third party certified the emissions data. The reductions achieved in transport logistics equate to carbon absorption figures associated with approximately 29,000 trees. The verified figures allow supply chain partners to include these reductions within Scope 3 emissions reporting frameworks and environmental disclosures.

Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Decarbonising logistics is central to our climate strategy. What makes this milestone meaningful is that the results are independently verified with a 10 percent reduction in CO2e emissions within the upstream transportation category over a single financial year, driven by the adoption of electric and LNG fleets. These carbon reductions strengthen our own sustainability disclosures and those of our customers, and we intend to scale this model across our supply chain.”

Following Phase 1 operations, Epsilon Carbon intends to expand the number of electric and LNG vehicles in its transport fleet during FY 2026–27 to scale low-carbon freight transport across its supply chain network.