Bridgestone India’s brand ambassadors and members of the Indian Olympic contingent – Mary Kom, PV Sindhu and Udayan Mane – wished their co-team members the very best in the forthcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The brand ambassadors were joined by Bridgestone India’s Managing Director, Parag Satpute in wishing the Indian contingent success and laurels in Tokyo.

Bridgestone has been strongly associated with the world of the Olympics through strategic partnerships and collaborations in the past. The upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 hold a special significance for the company, as they are set to take place in Japan, the home of their global headquarters and the country where the tyre manufacturer was founded 90 years ago.

Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “We are truly honoured to be associated with our brand ambassadors and it is a matter of pride that Mary Kom will be one of the Indian flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. We believe that harbouring a strong culture of sports and investing in our people will contribute towards the creation of better individuals leading to a holistically developed society.”

Mary Kom said, “My journey with Bridgestone has been eventful and a memorable one. Through my journey, I want to communicate to all my fellow athletes ready to represent India that sports are not for the faint-hearted, especially boxing as a female athlete. The journey is never short of roadblocks. Bridgestone is a brand known for its strength and endurance, and it has risen to the cause of encouraging every upcoming athlete’s sportsman spirit and it resonates deeply with me.”

P V Sindhu said, “As Bridgestone India’s first brand ambassador, I feel thrilled and responsible to talk about my journey and all the tough lessons that have led up to achieving success in the international arena. I would want more Indians to step up to this challenge, and via this platform, I am honoured to be associated with Bridgestone India to spread this message of determination and perseverance. Bridgestone has a strong sports lineage which is further strengthened with their Worldwide Olympic Partnership and we want more Indian athletes to conquer the global Olympic stage.” (TT)

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Michelin has opened a tyre and service outlet in Ludhiana as part of its strategy to deepen distribution across north India, a region the French group views as important to the growth of its passenger-car business.

The Michelin Tyre & Service Store, launched in partnership with local dealer Preet Automobiles, is located on Link Road near Gill Chowk, one of the city’s busiest automotive corridors. The 1,500 sq ft facility will sell the company’s full range of passenger-vehicle tyres and provide services including wheel alignment, balancing and alloy care.

Preet Automobiles, which has operated in Ludhiana for more than 40 years, will run the outlet. The business is known locally for technical expertise in wheel-related services and two-wheeler tyre fitments, positioning it as a suitable partner for Michelin’s expanding retail strategy.

The shop was inaugurated by Prashant Sharma, National Sales Director at Michelin India. Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director for India, said: “North India has been a crucial market for Michelin’s growth strategy and Ludhiana presents a strong opportunity for us with its growing base of premium and luxury automotive enthusiasts. The launch of this new Michelin Tyre & Services Store reinforces our commitment to expanding our retail network and improving customer access to Michelin’s premium products and services, catering to the growing demand. Through our partnership with Preet Automobile, we aim to deliver a truly premium and reliable experience for our consumers.”

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Koelnmesse has reaffirmed its status as Germany’s premier trade fair venue for sustainability, securing the top position for the second consecutive year in the ‘Pioneers in Sustainability 2025’ study. Conducted by ServiceValue in collaboration with the F.A.Z. Institute, this research employed artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse approximately 6.4 million online mentions from 2023 to 2025, evaluating thousands of companies across environmental, social and economic sustainability criteria as well as innovation. The repeated accolade underscores Koelnmesse’s influential role in advancing sustainable practices within the event sector.

The company’s strategy is guided by clear objectives, notably achieving a climate-neutral energy supply by 2030. Significant infrastructure investments are turning this ambition into reality. These include commissioning Cologne’s largest inner-city photovoltaic installation and transitioning the extensive venue to fossil-free geothermal energy. Further advancements are visible across operations, from energy-efficient lighting and ventilation systems to an expanded electric vehicle charging network. Koelnmesse also implements intelligent logistics, promotes resource-efficient stand construction with circular materials and drives comprehensive waste reduction efforts, collectively enhancing the ecological footprint of its events.

Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse, said, “Every initiative that highlights the public resonance of sustainable business practices is welcome. Bringing together ecological, social and economic responsibility is central to our work – and this balance is embedded firmly in our corporate strategy. By offering resource-efficient services and investing consistently in innovative solutions, we enable our customers to make their trade fair participation more sustainable. This creates added value both for our partners and for the future-oriented development of the events industry. The positive public perception of this progress sends an important signal and provides motivation for the company’s continued transformation.”

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Rodolfo Comerio, the Italian manufacturer of calendering systems for rubber and thermoplastics, has been named among the “100 Italian Excellences”, a government-backed initiative recognising companies viewed as contributors to the country’s industrial and cultural standing. The award was presented at a ceremony in the Sala della Regina of Palazzo Montecitorio in Rome, attended by senior institutional representatives.

The recognition follows the firm’s recent designation as a Lombard Excellence and reflects its position in a specialised segment supplying machinery to global rubber and plastics producers. The Montecitorio event also highlighted a range of businesses and individuals selected for contributions in areas such as innovation, industrial capability and social responsibility.

The weekend brought a second accolade for the company. Linglong Tire, the Chinese manufacturer, named Rodolfo Comerio its “Best Supplier of Calendering Lines”, reaffirming the pair’s longstanding commercial relationship. Alessandro Bonfanti, the group’s sales manager for the rubber division, received the award, supported by colleagues from the company’s Chinese operations. This follows an “Excellent Partner” award presented earlier in the year as part of Linglong’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. Images released from the event show Bonfanti alongside Linglong president Wang Feng at a partner conference.

Nicola Fedele, the company’s sales and marketing managing director, said the awards reflected decades of investment in engineering capability. “These are not just awards,” he said. “They are proof of a leadership built over decades through innovation, precision, and mutual trust. We are delighted and deeply proud to share this achievement, which belongs to every member of the Rodolfo Comerio team.” He added that the group’s success was driven by its employees’ “passion and constant commitment”.

Rodolfo Comerio, founded in northern Italy, supplies calendering lines used in rubber processing and thermoplastic production. The company said the recognition strengthens its long-term objective of maintaining Italian engineering expertise in global markets. The dual awards also illustrate the continued importance of Italian machinery suppliers in the international tyre and rubber industries, where advanced processing equipment remains integral to expansion plans at manufacturers such as Linglong.

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Hankook Tire & Technology has redesigned the official website of Laufenn, its associate tyre brand, as the South Korean group seeks to bolster the marque’s visibility in key international markets and create a more uniform digital presence across regions.

The update, unveiled in Korea, introduces a reorganised main page intended to clarify Laufenn’s brand message and improve navigation. Hankook said the refreshed layout is designed to present the brand’s technological capabilities and quality standards more directly, while simplifying access to core services.

Enhancements include new video and image displays, a persistent banner function and an interface aimed at improving usability. A “Find a Dealer” tool has been added to guide customers to Hankook’s domestic retail network, including its T’Station service centres and TBX outlets for truck and bus tyres.

The site now also carries sections summarising performance test results and awards from European automotive publications, along with information on original equipment supply. Hankook has integrated Laufenn’s official social media feeds and a consolidated news area to create what it describes as a centralised channel for brand communication.

The company plans to extend the redesign to 21 countries — including markets in Europe, North America and Asia — by February 2026 to ensure greater consistency across its global digital touchpoints.

Laufenn, introduced in 2014 at the SEMA Show in the United States, is positioned as Hankook’s value-focused global brand. It is sold in more than 100 countries and recorded sales of about 9m units last year, with expectations of reaching around 10m this year. Its range spans passenger vehicles and commercial transport, targeting varying road conditions and driving requirements.

Hankook said Laufenn is increasingly emphasising digital channels to reach customers who may be less familiar with tyre brands. Recent marketing initiatives include a series of global brand films and collaborations with online content creators, with further digital engagement planned.

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