(From left) Bill Caldwell and Chris Charity

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC has announced an upcoming leadership transition in its U.S. Passenger and Light Truck (PLT) replacement tyre division. Bill Caldwell, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, will retire in June 2025 after more than 20 years with the company. Chris Charity, the current Vice President of Sales, will assume Caldwell’s role effective 1 July 2025.

Caldwell has been at the helm of the U.S. PLT replacement business since 2009, following his leadership of Continental’s Original Equipment (OE) Key Account Management team. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in expanding the market presence of both the Continental and General Tire brands, driving strategic growth and strengthening dealer partnerships.

Charity, a 20-year veteran of Continental, joined the company in 2002 as a quality engineer before transitioning into sales leadership. His deep industry knowledge, customer-focused approach and proven track record in sales strategy make him the ideal successor to continue the division’s upward trajectory.

Tansu Işık, Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires the Americas, said, “Bill has made a lasting contribution to Continental’s success in the Americas. His leadership, integrity and commitment to excellence have helped shape the business and culture. On behalf of the entire organization, I want to thank Bill for his outstanding service and wish him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.” On Charity’s appointment, he said, “Chris brings the right mix of experience, vision and dedication to lead our U.S. PLT Replacement business into the future. I’m confident he will continue to build on our strong foundation and drive further success.”

Caldwell said, “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the years. It’s been an honour to work with such a dedicated team, and I’m confident that Chris will continue to lead with the same passion and commitment that has defined our success.”

Charity said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and build on the strong foundation Bill has laid. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to continue delivering value and innovation to our customers.”

Kolkata-based Himadri Speciality Chemical has announced that its flagship plant in Mahistikry, Haripal, Hooghly, has received ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification).

The company has been recognised for its ecological and social responsibility, along with compliance with stringent criteria on greenhouse gas emission reduction, ecosystem protection, social accountability and complete traceability of raw materials.

Anurag Choudhary, CMD & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical, said, “Achieving ISCC PLUS certification marks a defining step in Himadri’s sustainability journey. It validates our determination to integrate renewable, low- carbon, and circular solutions into every layer of our operations. As global industries shift towards sustainable value chains, Himadri is leading this transformation—delivering innovative and responsible solutions that create long-term value for society, the environment, and our stakeholders worldwide.”

With this recognition, the company joins a number of global players who are driving systemic change towards responsible sourcing and production.

George Varughese, founder of General Rubbers and the man behind the iconic Midas brand of tyre retreading materials, passed away on 28^th August, 2025.

Varughese established General Rubbers in 1969, building Midas into India’s most recognised name in retreading materials. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a global player, supplying more than 24,000 tonnes of tread rubber, precured tread rubber and other products annually. Today, Midas serves customers across South America, Africa, Europe and Australia.

Known for his vision and emphasis on innovation, Varughese placed research and development at the heart of Midas’s success. His commitment to improving compound formulations with the latest technology ensured the brand’s reputation for durability and reliability.

With operations centred in Kottayam, Kerala, Midas continues to expand its dealer network, reflecting Varughese’s lifelong mission of accessibility and customer service.

Varughese leaves behind a lasting legacy in India’s tyre industry, remembered as a pioneer who transformed the retreading sector into a global business.

Vaculug has named Nick Hermitage as Operations Manager – OTR South, following a significant expansion in its OTR Division.

The company's new OTR Centre of Excellence in the South East will serve as Hermitage's headquarters. He is in charge of making sure the depot runs smoothly, which includes daily administration, logistics, foam filling and tyre pressing. Hermitage brings with him a depth of experience, knowledge and skill – accumulated over 22 years in the tyre industry.

Alan Robin, National Account Manager – OTR, Vaculug Technologies Ltd, said, "This is an incredibly exciting time at Vaculug, and we are fortunate to welcome Nick to the OTR team. His extensive experience and deep knowledge of both OTR and solid tyre operations will be instrumental as we build on our significant investments in the division. I am confident Nick will make a strong contribution to our growth and I wish him every success in his new role."

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH has appointed Richard Bezzant as the new Marketing Director Truck and Bus with effect from 1 August 2025.

The British-born marketing and sales expert started his career with Michelin in UK in 2003. He brings with him more than two decades of experience in the tyre business for buses and trucks. Following a five-year period in leadership roles in France, he most recently served as Marketing Director for UK and Ireland, where he was responsible for developing and managing the complete marketing strategy across all business divisions.

Bezzant said, “My goal is to support growth opportunities for Hankook in the European truck and bus sector and expand them further. I am confident that we will be able to build on what has been achieved so far and continue to expand the business with innovative products and services. I am glad to be working with a great team to pursue our goals.”

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing Department, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With Richard Bezzant, we have appointed an industry-leading expert for our truck and bus marketing activities. With his decades of experience, we will consistently expand our business in the commercial vehicle sector and strengthen our market position in Europe in the long term.”