German tier 1 supplier Continental has announced the sale of its ContiTech group sector to an affiliate of Lone Star Funds for EUR 4 billion. The transaction includes components of up to EUR 250 million dependent on performance.

Following the sale, Continental will sharpen its focus on tyre manufacturing. The transaction is expected to result in a cash inflow of approximately EUR 3.1 billion. Continental plans to use EUR 2.5 billion of these proceeds for a special dividend or a combination of a special dividend and share buybacks. Lone Star Funds will assume responsibility for all ContiTech business operations.

Sabrina Soussan, Chair of Continental’s Supervisory Board, said, “With the sale of ContiTech, the Supervisory Board approved the final step in Continental’s realignment. We are convinced that both companies will be better positioned to develop as independent businesses than as part of the same group. This strategic focus will make them both even stronger.”

Christian Kötz, CEO, Continental, said, “The sale of ContiTech not only marks the final step in our strategic realignment, but also the beginning of a new era as a pure-play tyre manufacturer. As announced, our shareholders will participate in the proceeds from the sale. We will also continue to improve our solid capital structure.”

Donald Quintin, CEO, Lone Star Funds, said, “ContiTech is a well-positioned industrial company with outstanding technological capabilities and extensive expertise in materials, making it one of the leading providers in its industries. We are convinced of ContiTech’s significant potential. As a global investor with a track record in the industrials sector, we look forward to working closely with the management team and employees around the world to further develop the business – through operational improvements and targeted investments in attractive growth markets.”

ContiTech reported sales of EUR 4.4 billion in the 2025 fiscal year and employs approximately 22,000 people. Its portfolio includes conveyor and drive systems, fluid management solutions, and damping and surface applications.

For Continental, the tyre business remains its core operation, supported by 19 tyre plants and 55,000 employees. Passenger-car tyre sales accounted for 77 percent of tyre revenue in 2025. The company’s realignment follows the spin-off of its Automotive sector in September 2025 and the sale of ContiTech’s Original Equipment Solutions business area in February 2026.

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The International Rubber Conference (IRC) will return to Japan in November for the first time in a decade, with more than 271 technical presentations and over 117 exhibitors expected to take part.

The event, known as IRC 2026 Aichi, will be hosted by the Society of Rubber Science and Technology, Japan, alongside the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition in Aichi. It is scheduled to run from 2^nd to 6^th  November, with the exhibition opening a day later and continuing until 6^th  November .

Held at the Aichi International Exhibition Center, also known as Aichi Sky Expo, the venue is located near Chubu Centrair International Airport and can be reached from Nagoya Station in about 28 minutes by train.

The conference programme will feature more than 271 presentations spanning rubber science, technology and industrial applications. Participants include James Busfield of Queen Mary University of London and Nobuyuki Tamura of Bridgestone Corporation, who also chairs the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association. More than 400 delegates have already registered.

Running alongside the conference, the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition will host more than 117 exhibitors, ranging from raw material suppliers and machinery manufacturers to tyre makers and testing-equipment providers. The exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge.

The International Rubber Conference, first held in 1966, rotates annually across global host cities. The last event in Japan took place in Kitakyushu in 2016, with subsequent editions held in Haikou, Istanbul and Bangkok.

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Italian tyre major Pirelli has announced a multi-year investment plan worth approximately EUR 1 billion (USD 1.2 billion) to expand its manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia in the United States. The motion passed by majority vote, with board members Zhang Haitao, Xi Xiaohong and Wang Kun voting against the proposal.

The capital expenditure program, scheduled to begin in 2027 and will go through 2033, aims to expand annual production capacity at the Georgia site to six million tyres and create approximately 1,000 jobs.

The United States represents the largest market for high-value tyres globally, accounting for roughly 40 percent of global volumes. The project will be carried out in two phases without altering Pirelli's financial targets for 2026.

Phase one of the expansion will introduce modular robotised production systems based on Pirelli's Modular Integrated Robotised System technology, scaling annual output to three million tyres starting in 2028.

In phase two, the company will begin construction of an automated production facility to add three million units of annual capacity. The expanded plant will produce connected tyre systems, including Cyber Tyre technology, following market authorisation granted by the US Bureau of Industry and Security under Italy’s 2026 Golden Power Decree.

Alongside the investment decision, the board approved an organisational restructuring resulting in the immediate elimination of the Corporate General Management function. As part of the changes, Corporate General Manager Francesco Tanzi will step down from his executive role, maintaining an employment relationship through 31 December 2026 to facilitate the leadership transition.

Under the terms approved by the board and the Remuneration Committee, Tanzi will receive a severance payment equivalent to 13 months’ remuneration, payable by February 2027, alongside accrued rights under existing short-term and long-term incentive plans. He has agreed to a two-year non-compete covenant covering Pirelli's primary operating regions in exchange for 130 percent of his gross annual salary, paid in eight quarterly instalments. Following the end of his employment, Tanzi will provide advisory services under a two-year consultancy contract with an annual fee of EUR 350,000, plus non-monetary benefits valued at EUR 45,000.

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Bridgestone has announced a European leadership appointment aimed at sharpening customer focus, streamlining engagement across product groups and supporting its ongoing growth plans. Stefano Sanchini will become President, Europe Sales, effective 1 October 2026, leading the company’s European sales organisation across both Consumer and Commercial segments.

The expanded role unites sales activities spanning passenger car, truck and bus, agriculture, off-the-road, motorcycle and original equipment. Sanchini brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in the automotive and tyre sectors, with a career covering Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Since joining Bridgestone in 2017, he has held several senior positions, including Managing Director of Bridgestone India.

Most recently, as Vice President for Consumer Replacement in Europe, he helped strengthen customer engagement, commercial performance, profitability and regional market growth. Bridgestone said the appointment underscores its commitment to customer relationships, commercial execution and simpler cross-market operations. Sanchini will pursue sustainable growth while developing capabilities and partnerships supporting the company’s long-term European strategy.

Mete Ekin, Group President EMEA, said, "Our customers increasingly operate across multiple product categories and expect a consistent experience wherever they engage with Bridgestone. By bringing our sales activities together under one European structure, we are creating a simpler, more connected organisation that will help us respond faster, collaborate more effectively and continue building strong partnerships with our customers."

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Yokohama Europe has appointed Giuseppe La Iacona to a series of senior leadership roles as the company seeks to strengthen its position across the region.

La Iacona joined the business on September 15 and will assume responsibility for supporting growth and organisational consolidation in the European market.

He brings more than 20 years’ experience in the tyre industry, spanning sales, marketing, business development, country management and international customer relations. He has held senior roles across several European markets, developing experience in managing local dynamics while driving cross-border business expansion.

Reporting to Takashi Maki, La Iacona has been appointed General Manager for southern Europe, where he will lead a newly created regional cluster covering Italy and France. The role is intended to improve coordination and operational synergies between the two markets.

He will also serve as Chief Executive of Yokohama Italia, with overall responsibility for the Italian subsidiary, alongside taking on the role of head of international customers. In that capacity, he will oversee the management and development of clients operating across multiple European markets, with the aim of creating a more consistent commercial approach and strengthening collaboration between subsidiaries.

His remit includes improving organisational alignment and fostering closer cooperation between markets and customers as the company expands its European operations.

“I am very pleased to welcome Giuseppe to YOKOHAMA Europe at an important stage in our development,” said Maki. “His extensive international experience, deep knowledge of the tyre industry and ability to work across different markets will be valuable assets as we continue to strengthen our European organisation and pursue sustainable growth.”

La Iacona said: “I am excited to join YOKOHAMA Europe and to contribute to the company’s next phase of growth in Europe. YOKOHAMA has a strong heritage, a distinctive brand and significant opportunities across the European market. I look forward to working closely with our teams, customers and partners across countries to further develop the business and strengthen our presence in the region.”

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