CEAT Tyres has started revamping its CEAT Shoppe network of branded outlets to enhance customer experience and provide a premium retail experience.

CEAT will be revamping its retail channel nationwide. The company plans to initially start with 10 new design stores in metro cities and key markets in the coming months. Additionally, the company also plans to overhaul all its existing showrooms and launch 50 stores in the current financial year and 500 exclusive stores by 2023.

The revamped CEAT Shoppes will feature updates to its design with a combination of colours and materials. The company claims the new Shoppes will require low maintenance owing to the selection of sustainable materials.

The CEAT Shoppes will also act as service centres to address customer queries like warranty registration, on-spot claim settlement, customer feedback mechanism (NPS) and service reminders.

Arnab Banerjee, COO, CEAT, said, “The newly redesigned CEAT Shoppes will act as premium touchpoints for consumers and aim to deliver a never-before experience across India. Overall, the stores aim to bring in a balance between the hard-core industrial look and sleekly finished lifestyle space. Every single element in the store has been designed and fabricated to optimise customer experience. We plan to overhaul all existing CEAT Shoppes according to the new design.” (TT)

Eighteen of the top 20 global manufacturers of fully electric vehicles relied on Continental for their tyre needs in 2024.

Manufacturers including BYD, Geely, Volkswagen, NIO, Mercedes-Benz and Renault are among them. The premium tyre producer provides original equipment tyres to nine of the 10 largest electric vehicle manufacturers in each of the three regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), North, South, and Central America (the Americas) and Asia-Pacific (APAC).

Due to the weight of the batteries, electric vehicles are often heavier than equivalent combustion-engine vehicles, which puts special strain on the tyres. They also produce torque right away when they start up. Increased tyre abrasion may result from the higher torque and increased load. Additionally, electric vehicles are quieter than combustion-engine cars, which makes the rolling sound of the tyres more audible.

In 1993, the tyre company unveiled the ContiEcoContact, their first tyre line created especially for energy efficiency. The EcoContact's seventh generation has just released. A specifically designed sidewall of the EcoContact 7 guarantees better aerodynamics and, consequently, increased energy efficiency. To do this, Continental's developers integrated many technologies. The ‘aerodimple’ structure, which was taken from golf balls, is one component. The vehicle needs less energy to move the tyres because to recessed sidewalls that lessen air turbulence behind them. Because of this, the EcoContact 7 is a perfect fit for both electric and combustion-engine vehicles.

All drive systems are compatible with every line of tyres that Continental currently offers. The sidewall's EV-Compatible mark has been identifying which tyre types are intended for usage and have the best range on electric vehicles since 2023.

Manja Greimeier, head of original equipment business in Continental’s Tires group sector, said, “The high level of trust placed in Continental original equipment tyres by electric vehicle manufacturers worldwide confirms: We offer our customers an inspiring driving experience. Electric vehicles require particularly low rolling resistance for maximum range, quiet rolling noise for maximum driving comfort and, as is always the case with Continental tyres, no compromises when it comes to safety.”

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY PVT LTD has appointed Mohan Natarajan as its new Regional Head – Sales and Service for the South Division.

Apart from holding a first-grade degree in Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering from Maharaja Engineering College, Natarajan is also an MBA in Marketing and Business Analytics. Having worked in the manufacturing sector for more than 10 years, Natarajan brings a special combination of technical know-how, leadership skills and strategic vision to the table. He is committed to providing outstanding outcomes and client satisfaction in the area.

Natarajan will lead Fornnax's efforts to improve customer experience and bolster its footprint in the southern area – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and Tamil Nadu – in his new position as Regional Head. In order to give its customers prompt and efficient solutions, the business is also investing in a new sales force and after-sales support facilities. The business is also establishing a spare parts warehouse to guarantee convenient access and reduce client downtime.

Continental has announced that it will discontinue its agricultural tyre business by the end of 2025 and concentrate its commercial speciality tyre business on material handling, earthmoving and port operations tyres. Following a thorough business analysis, the decision reflects what Continental refers to as growing commoditisation in the market for agricultural tyres. The company stated that it has been challenging to sustain its long-term goals in the industry due to persistent market disruptions.

This strategic repositioning primarily affects workers at its tyre manufacturing in Lousado, Portugal. Continental is convinced that it can provide the majority of the impacted workers a different position within the company and will help them all during this transition. Continental will fulfil all contractual supply obligations to its agricultural tyre clients through the end of 2025, namely with its TractorMaster, Tractor70, Tractor85, CombineMaster, and CompactMaster tyre lines. Continental's commercial speciality tyres business will continue to include the popular multi-purpose tyre ranges.

Paul Williams, Head of Continental Commercial Specialty Tires, said, “We are proud of the contributions we as a team have made to the agricultural industry and the trustful relationships we have built with our customers and partners. Sharpening the focus of our Commercial Specialty Tires business will further leverage our resources towards our strengths in material handling, earthmoving and port operations tyres.”

Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), a leading public sector oil and gas company, has launched the MAK Rubber Spray Oil in a convenient 26 kg pack, which will make it accessible for small and marginal rubber growers.

M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, unveiled the pack at an event held at Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), Kottayam. 

He emphasised on the importance of consumer-centric innovations, highlighting that India has been a global leader in controlling rubber diseases. "Ensuring the well-being of farmers and improving ease of use should be a priority when launching new products. It is commendable that BPCL has introduced spray oil in smaller, more practical packaging."

Sohail Akthar, Marketing Head, BPCL, said, "This innovation will significantly support small-scale rubber growers who do not require large volumes of spray oil for fungicide applications. By offering the product in smaller, more accessible packs, we ensure that even marginal farmers can effectively protect their crops."

The event also saw addresses by several key industry figures, including Dr M D Jessy, Director-in-Charge, RRII, Moncy P Kurian, Managing Director, Manimalayar Rubbers, Dr Shaji Philip, Principal Scientist, RRII and Jenny C L, Territory Manager, Lubes, BPCL.

Following the formal launch, a technical session provided deeper insights into the product’s benefits and best practices in rubber cultivation. Sarvesh Tomar, R&D Head, BPCL's Lubes Business Unit, Dr Shaji Philip and N Sali, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner, Rubber Board shared their expert perspectives on sustainable disease management and advancements in rubber plantation technology.

The event witnessed active participation from representatives of large rubber estates, Rubber Producers' Societies and independent growers, highlighting the growing interest in adopting modern, eco-friendly agricultural solutions.