In a strategic expansion of its global footprint, Bekaert has agreed to acquire Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, encompassing the tyre cord production facilities in China (Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd) and Thailand (Bridgestone Metalpha (Thailand) Co. Ltd.). This move significantly strengthens the market leadership of Bekaert’s Rubber Reinforcement division, its largest business unit, which has led the global tyre cord sector for decades. The acquisition, set for completion in the first half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals, is a continuation of the division's proven strategy in integrating the captive production of major global accounts.

This transaction reinforces the enduring strategic partnership between Bekaert and Bridgestone, a leading tyre manufacturer. As part of Bridgestone's mid-to-long term plan to boost competitiveness through collaboration, the deal includes a long-term supply agreement ensuring continued provision of high-quality tyre reinforcement. For Bekaert, the integration of these two established production facilities enhances its manufacturing presence and solidifies its position in the tyre cord market.

Financially, the acquisition is projected to contribute approximately EUR 80 million in annual consolidated sales for Bekaert. The purchase involves a cash consideration of EUR 60 million, which will be drawn from the company's existing cash reserves. By securing these key assets and a lasting supply partnership, Bekaert not only expands its operational scale but also deepens its trusted supplier relationship with a pivotal global account.

Yves Kerstens, CEO, Bekaert, said, “Bekaert and Bridgestone share a longstanding strategic partnership built on mutual trust and collaboration. When the transaction closes, we are delighted to welcome the plant teams to Bekaert and remain committed to joint growth and innovation with Bridgestone. The acquisition is also a clear signal of strengthening our global leadership position in the tyre reinforcement industry.”

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Nokian Tyres is commemorating two significant milestones this year: the 90th anniversary of its first Hakkapeliitta winter tyre and the 40th anniversary of its renowned Ivalo Test Center. Located in Finnish Lapland, this facility, famously known as ‘White Hell’, stands as the world’s largest and most versatile winter testing environment. Since its establishment in 1986, it has been the central hub for the company’s mission to achieve global leadership in winter driving safety. What began as a remote outpost has evolved into a sophisticated, thriving epicentre for tyre development and innovation.

Operational for roughly 180 days each year from November to April, the centre capitalises on the extreme Arctic conditions to rigorously test products. Covering more than 700 hectares and situated about 235 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the site features a vast network exceeding 40 kilometres of specialised tracks. This includes a 700-metre-long indoor ice hall, frozen lakes and varied road surfaces designed to simulate real-world challenges. Engineers utilise a circular track for assessing lateral grip, snow-covered routes for handling and a steep hill for testing acceleration and longitudinal traction. These diverse courses allow for a comprehensive evaluation of every aspect of tyre performance under the most severe circumstances.

Annually, the company tests approximately 5,000 passenger and heavy tyres at the Ivalo facility. While it is primarily known for developing winter tyres sold across all of Nokian’s markets, its role is broader. The extreme cold conditions are also essential for testing all-season, all-weather and all-terrain tyres intended for Central Europe and North America. These cold-weather evaluations are complemented by wet and dry surface testing conducted at the company’s Hakka Ring facility in Spain and at its location in Nokia, Finland. In recent years, a significant focus of the expert work at Ivalo has been on preparing products to perform reliably in increasingly variable and changing winter weather patterns.

This intensive testing is fundamental to the development of new technologies that enhance driver safety and underpin the company’s innovative leadership. The expertise gained at Ivalo is a direct extension of Nokian Tyres’ heritage, which began with the invention of the winter tyre in 1934. This legacy was solidified two years later with the introduction of the first Hakkapeliitta tyre, a product line celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The current generation of winter passenger tyres, including studded options like the Hakkapeliitta 10 and Hakkapeliitta LT3, as well as the non-studded Hakkapeliitta R5, are a testament to a century-long commitment to safety, honed and proven at the ‘White Hell’ facility in Lapland.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “The Ivalo Test Center is at the core of our expertise – the place where our practical knowledge of extreme winter conditions originates and evolves. For forty years, Ivalo has been the proving ground for many pioneering innovations, and it will continue to play a key role in our research, development and testing processes.”

Matti Suuripää Nokian Tyres Ivalo Test Facility Manager, said, “There was just a frozen lake when White Hell opened in 1986. A couple guys from the testing department came here with a trailer full of tyres and made a track or two on the ice. There wasn’t a facility, there were just winter conditions. Our test methods have been refined over the years to become more diverse. We have adapted our testing methods to account for different winter weather and more varied conditions. We work hard to develop products that make driving predictable.”

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Sherif Degheidy has taken on the newly established position of Director Specialty Tires for the MEA region at Linglong Tire, effective 9 February 2026. He is now tasked with leading the strategic direction and sales efforts for the Specialty Tires division across the Middle East and Africa, reporting directly to Jeffrey Hughes, the Director for EMEA. A key aspect of his role involves collaborating closely with product development and marketing teams to position Linglong as a dominant force in the speciality tyre sector throughout these regions.

Degheidy brings a wealth of sector-specific knowledge to the company, having spent the last 12 years at Goodyear. There, he successfully managed the Speciality Tyres portfolio for the Middle East as well as East and West Africa, culminating in his role as OTR Sales Manager. His professional background also includes a period with KAL Tire, where he gained invaluable on-the-ground experience overseeing tyre operations at a gold mine in Egypt. This diverse career path has equipped him with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the industry from industrial, commercial and client perspectives. An Egyptian national, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Power Engineering.

Degheidy said, "I am very much looking forward to my new role at Linglong Tire and hope to use my many years of experience in the tyre industry to achieve the ambitious goals together with my colleagues in the MEA region. Our most important task will be to optimise existing customer contacts and develop new customers and thus further strengthen our company's market position in the Middle East and Africa.”

Jeff Hughes, Director OTR EMEA, said, "We are delighted to welcome Sherif to the MEA team as Sales Director OTR. He brings a wealth of experience in the Middle East and African markets, and his early work as a site manager of a gold mine in Egypt gives him a unique perspective on how to engage customers, distributors and end users. Over the past 12 years, he has been instrumental in driving and growing a Premier manufacturer's business, and we look forward to him now doing the same for Linglong."

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Marking its 55th anniversary in 2026, Tana Oy is celebrating a legacy defined by the seamless integration of human expertise and advanced technology. For more than five decades, this commitment has driven the company’s evolution in the recycling and waste management sector. Tana has consistently grown in tandem with its customers, engineering robust machines, systems and services capable of withstanding the most demanding real-world conditions. As the industry pivots towards greater efficiency and smarter resource use, this enduring philosophy ensures Tana remains a steadfast partner, poised to deliver uncompromising solutions for future challenges.

A key pillar of Tana’s strategy is the continuous expansion of its global footprint. By strengthening its international presence and local operations, the company positions itself closer to its customers. This approach allows for more integrated support, fosters deeper partnerships and enables the tailoring of solutions to meet specific regional needs, all while upholding the reliability synonymous with a global brand. The strength of this network is evidenced by thousands of machines operating worldwide and longstanding industrial partnerships, milestones that underscore Tana’s reputation as a trusted partner for operational excellence and long-term dependability.

Looking forward, innovation remains central to Tana’s mission, with a focus on solutions shaped by real-world demands. Digital tools like TanaConnect exemplify this, linking machines, data and people to optimise operations and enhance lifecycle management. Simultaneously, the latest generation of recycling machines is designed for high performance and adaptability to evolving material streams. As Tana marks this anniversary, its direction is resolute. Continued investment in its people and technologies, from digital platforms to advanced machinery, ensures it will meet the growing demand for efficient waste-to-value solutions, ready to shape the future with no time to waste.

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Goodyear India Limited reported higher quarterly profit despite recognising INR 1.94 million of past service costs under India’s new labour codes, as revenue declined year on year.

Revenue from operations for the quarter ended 31 December 2025 fell to INR 606.9 million, from INR 631.7 million a year earlier. Total income was INR 611.5 million, compared with INR 636.4 million.

Profit before tax rose to INR 33.4 million, up from INR 13.3 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Net profit increased to INR 24.6m, compared with INR 9.5 million. Earnings per share were INR 10.68, against INR 4.11 a year earlier.

Total expenses declined to INR 578.2 million from INR 623.2 million. Cost of materials consumed fell to INR 221.5 million from INR 257.9 million, while purchases of stock-in-trade were INR 190.3 million, broadly in line with INR 191.1 million a year earlier. Employee benefits expense rose to INR 52.2 million from INR 44.4 million.

For the nine months to December 31 2025, revenue from operations decreased to INR 1,859.6 million from INR 2,005.4 million in the same period last year. Profit before tax rose marginally to INR 69.8 million from INR 67.9 million. Net profit was INR 51.8m, compared with INR 50.3m.

The company said it had recognised past service costs of INR 1.94 million under employee benefits expense in the quarter and nine months ended December 31 2025, following notification of the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

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