In association with Manchester United, Apollo Tyres has launched the second edition of the 'United We Play' football talent programme in India. 

Dimitar Berbatov, a Manchester United legend, has launched the grassroots program, set to begin in February 2022 and run until April 2022. Five candidates, selected by football coaches from Apollo and Manchester United, will receive the opportunity to visit the iconic Old Trafford stadium in Manchester and will get a chance to participate in a training session.

The second season of United We Play will be held in 19 Indian locations in a hybrid format that will include ten virtual workshops and masterclasses in 12 markets and an on-ground leg in eight areas in two parts, with a potential reach of over 6,000 aspiring players. Indian coaches will go through a development programme with Manchester United Soccer School coaches before conducting the first round of trials to choose the best players from each market. Manchester United Soccer School coaches will conduct the second tryouts, shortlisting approximately five prospects.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service (India, SAARC and Oceania), Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, "We have been associated with football for a long time now and initiatives like United We Play, is our attempt to give aspiring Indian footballers a global platform to showcase their talent with a club like Manchester United. At Apollo Tyres, we were really encouraged to see the response to the first edition and are happy to announce the second edition of the programme which promises to be much bigger and better. It will surely be exciting to see the kind of footballing talent that comes to the fore this year."

Apollo Tyres has been hosting online masterclasses, which have been complemented by skill tests with prizes on offer. Online sessions with Denis Irwin were organised prior to the launch to introduce participants to the Manchester United training philosophy.

Mike Neary, Head, Manchester United Soccer Schools, said, "The Club is delighted to be working with Apollo Tyres on the second season of ‘United We Play.’ The popularity of football in India is ever increasing and it is encouraging to see the number of young players who are keen to learn more about the game. Apollo are at the forefront of this and have been a huge advocate of grassroots football. (TT)

LANXESS, a specialty chemicals company, has successfully placed a six-year-tenor euro benchmark bond with a coupon of 0.0 percent in the European capital market.
The company, with about 14,800 employees in 33 countries, will use the funds to finance the planned acquisition of IFF, a US-based chemical company involved in microbial control.

The new bond is listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in denominations of EUR 1,000.

Michael Pontzen, CFO, LANXESS, said, “We have secured the first step of financing already quickly after the announcement of the acquisition of IFF Microbial Control and are happy about the very receptive reaction of the capital market to our offering.” (TT)

Goodyear has launched its new RT-3B bead-to-bead tread in US and Canada in sizes 20.5R25 and 23.5R25 for off-the-road (OTR) tyres.

The new retread provides all-around performance for loaders and graders. Joining the existing lineup of premium off-the-road Goodyear tyres, the retread provides up to 60 percent savings compared to a new tyre.

Used extensively in gruelling OTR applications, retreading helps extend the life of tyres while delivering high traction and minimal tread wear. Additionally, retreading promotes sustainability by reducing unnecessary waste.

The new Goodyear RT-3B is cured in a mould and press method to generate low heat through long hours of usage via its 115-level tread depth. Strongly cut-resistant in nature, the centerline lugs and open shoulder provides optimal traction.

Loic Ravasio, General Manager, Global and Americas OTR, Goodyear, said, “We are always focused on delivering high value and low cost of ownership to our OTR customers. The RT-3B is a substantial addition to our retread portfolio providing another great option for operators to help drive efficiency, reduce costs and protect the environment.” (TT)

Anshuman Singhania, Dy. Managing Director of JK Tyre, has been appointed managing director of the company, effective October 21,2020.

Anshuman Singhania joined the Company as an Executive and over the years has been deeply involved in various activities of the Company in different positions, said the company.

Singhania is also Vice Chairman of ATMA

He is a graduate from Oxford Brookes University, UK and an alumnus of London Business School. As a young leader, he started his career from the shop floor as an apprentice and has held several positions in Planning, Production, Product Development, Quality Control, Stores & Purchase, Finance as well as Sales & Marketing. Being a techno-savvy person, he has played a key role in implementing the latest technologies in the manufacturing process at JK Tyre.

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires recently held the groundbreaking and foundation stone unveiling ceremony of its new plant at Atchutapuram, Visakhapatnam - Andhra Pradesh, India.

In the online event, Masataka Yamaishi , President & Chairman of the Board, Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd broke the ground to commence construction work.

Yamaishi San unveiled the Foundation Stone virtually in the presence of Atao Kishi San: Chairman - ATC Tires Pvt. Ltd. and Managing Officer - The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nitin Mantri – CEO and Anil Gupta – COO and the leadership team at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires.

The new plant will have a daily production capacity of 55 tons (rubber weight), with planned capital investment totalling US$165 million. The plant, which will be the company’s third plant in India, will manufacture its three brands ALLIANCE, GALAXY and PRIMEX brand tyres.

 Yokohama Off-Highway Tires currently has two tyre plants in India—the Dahej Plant in Gujarat and the Tirunelveli Plant in Tamil Nadu.