Continental Tire, a leading tyre manufacturer, has appointed Samir Gupta as Managing Director (MD) of Continental Tire India.

Samir is currently also the Head of the company’s Central Asia Region (India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia) Passenger and Light Truck Tire Replacement Business (PLT RE). He has experience spanning 30 years in the industry and has been working for Continental for almost a decade. 

He formerly served as the MD of Continental Tires Malaysia, where he oversaw a successful technical sales team. Before this posting, he served as the Market Manager of Truck Tires (TT) India.

Dalibor Kalina, Head, BA Replacement Tires APAC, said, “Samir will play a very critical role in driving Continental Tires’ growth in the Indian market. His extensive leadership experience spanning across various markets will help build and maintain agile and robust teams to improve the operational efficiency for current and future continental’s success in the Indian markets.” 

Samir Gupta, MD, Continental Tire India, said, “Continental Tires is synonymous with quality, innovation and agility worldwide. Being one of the largest automotive industries, India is an important market for Continental Tires. We are committed to develop and manufacture quality and innovative products that befit the Indian market requirements. I am excited for my second stint with Continental Tires India and lead the team in its growth and expansion.” 

According to a statement by the company, Samir’s ‘customer-centric’ approach, which makes use of the company’s manufacturing plant in the country, its country-specific product range and digital solutions expertise, will be crucial for its overall expansion in the country. (TT)

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.

Pyrum Innovations AG has announced that its Supervisory Board has extended the contract with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kai Winkelmann until 31 March 2030 to ensure continuity in the management of the company.

Winkelmann joined the firm in February 2021, and on 1 April 2022, he was initially named to the Executive Board as CFO. He has so far played a major role in obtaining the company's funding during his tenure at Pyrum, including last year's successful capital raise. Winkelmann is in charge of Finance, Compliance and IT in his role on the Executive Board.

Alf Schmidt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said, “We are pleased about the contract extension of Kai Winkelmann, who has proven his skills and in-depth expertise in the financial sector and at the management level in recent years. Over the last four years, he has made a significant contribution to the development of the necessary administrative structures and to the success of the company, and has promoted its rapid further development. We have confidence in his foresight and are convinced that Winkelmann will continue to play a central role in the successful implementation of the company’s goals in the years to come.”