What happens when the best in their field come together to form a new force? They produce expertise, innovative products and excellence. Groundbreaking cord-cutting and extrusion technologies enable tyre manufacturers worldwide to customise tyres for today’s mobility and tomorrow’s demands. Fischer TireTech’s firm emphasis on quality, safety and most importantly, sustainability makes them the manufacturers’ preferred choice of the future. The merger of KE Fischer and Konštrukta-TireTech drives the world of tyres into the future – keeping the tyre world rolling!

From 2025, well-established companies Karl Eugen Fischer and Konštrukta-Tiretech join forces under a new name and logo. As Fischer TireTech, it offers an entire portfolio of machinery, technology expertise and services for tyre production to the international leaders of tyre producers.

More than 600 enthusiastic engineers, developers, machine builders, service technicians and project managers are joining forces on a global scale.

Their established locations throughout the world, with cutting equipment in Germany, extrusion equipment in Slovakia, service and spare parts available globally, as well as their affiliates in US, China and India, they are more than ready to meet customer needs.

TWO BECOME ONE: NEW BRAND, DOUBLE THE EXPERTISE, MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

Following the merger in 2022, Karl Eugen Fischer and Konštrukta Tiretech have completed the last step in the course of strategic realignment. By combining expertise, technical competence and resources, Fischer TireTech is now able to respond to the needs of tyre manufacturers in an even more customer-oriented manner.

Fischer TireTech Management Board (from L to R): Detlef Knorr, Dr Kristijan Bauer, Marcel Drgala and Tilo Heinen

“Fischer TireTech merges KE Fischer’s technology leadership in cord cutting machines with Konštrukta-TireTech’s innovative extrusion equipment for the tyre industry – we share the same values and engineering mindset. By joining forces together, we open up exciting new opportunities to advance how tyres are being produced. We will work as a preferred development partner for new production technologies and as a supplier of leading-edge machine equipment. Our after-sales technicians located nearby will help our customers to maximise their efficiency in production,” says Dr Kristijan Bauer, CEO.

The year 2025 marks a new chapter, with Fischer TireTech entering the market as a new, unified power, unfolding a better visibility of the two divisions and more guidance for the field. Operating as solely one main partner to the customer. Unifying Employees across the globe with a shared company identity and synergies that will directly benefit the customers. A fresh start into an era of global cohesion.

WHAT DRIVES FISCHER TIRETECH?

Fischer TireTech is driven by its relentless customer focus and orientation to enable customers to produce high-quality, safe tyres with unique designs that strengthen their brand success. By adhering to the highest standards for skill and performance, the company sets ambitious goals and always prioritises customer needs, reflected in the company’s vision and mission. Fischer TireTech envisions to be a global leader in cord-cutting and extrusion technologies. As a trusted partner to the tyre industry, it helps customers create the best, safest and most sustainable tyre manufacturing solutions for global mobility. Hence, it takes on the task of supporting its partners with advanced machinery and expertise. By working closely with customers, it provides custom production lines, introduces new machinery and offers training to ensure outstanding efficiency and success in tyre production.

NEW JOINT VENTURE IN INDIA

Utilising synergies creatively to produce one-of-a-kind solutions is one of Fischer TireTech’s preferred ways of responding to customer needs and market requirements. One of the main priorities for the future is to strengthen its international market position. To this end, Fischer TireTech will enter into a joint venture with Dawnsun, a long-term Indian business partner, which has close business ties in the tyre industry in India. The aim is to expand the global market position and to leverage joint benefits for customers.

WHAT THE MARKET AND CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT FROM FISCHER TIRETECH

Fischer TireTech is committed to being the reliable and innovative partner for the tyre industry worldwide – now and into the future. As the technology and market leader in cutting and extrusion technologies for tyre manufacturing, Fischer TireTech supports customers around the world in creating new opportunities to deliver the highest quality, safest and most sustainable tyres for global mobility. The merger has expanded the product portfolio, maximised service and doubled innovation, flexibility and creativity.

Trust and team spirit are hallmarks of Fischer TireTech. Focusing on maintaining and expanding our competencies for the future, shaping the key focus on the 2025 agenda: precisely prioritising customer needs, innovation and environmental sustainability to drive the world of tyres into the future.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Gaurav Kumar has resigned as a whole-time director of Apollo Tyres, the Indian tyre manufacturer, after more than two decades with the company, though he will remain chief financial officer during a transition period.

The Gurugram-based company's board approved the resignation at a meeting on Thursday. Kumar steps down as a director, and consequently as a member of the risk management committee, with effect from the close of business the same day. The company said he had confirmed there was no material reason for his departure beyond that stated in his resignation letter.

Kumar will continue as chief financial officer for such period as is necessary to ensure a smooth transition, after which he will cease to be part of the company's senior management.

In his resignation letter, Kumar said: "It has been terrific to be part of the incredible journey at Apollo Tyres thus far. I have learned, and hopefully contributed in equal measure, and now seek to explore alternative and new challenges. I wish Apollo Tyres the very best for the journey ahead and will always be part of the Apollo Tyres Family." He added that he was grateful to Onkar Kanwar and Neeraj Kanwar for their support during his tenure of more than 22 years at the company.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, said: "Gaurav deserves kudos for the critical role he has played in the growth of Apollo Tyres, both in India and overseas, in the last twenty years. While we do regret losing him, we are conscious of his personal aspirations and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

The company said it was in the process of appointing a new chief financial officer.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Shrader Tire & Oil (STO) has announced the appointment of Bob Feldbauer to the role of President, effective 1 August 2026. He will concurrently serve as Chief Operating Officer, while Joe Shrader maintains his position as Chief Executive Officer.

Feldbauer’s ascent follows his arrival at STO in early 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, a role built upon a robust industry resume. His prior engagements include a lengthy stint at the helm of Jack’s Tire & Oil in Utah and a substantial period with Michelin North America, where he handled sales and managerial assignments.

Under the new structure, Feldbauer’s purview widens to encompass both internal fleet management across 14 sites and outward-facing commercial development, including alliances and market expansion. With the founding family’s fourth generation now active within the firm, the succession plan reinforces the enduring principles established when the company opened in 1948.

Shrader said, “Bob has proven exactly what we hoped he would when we brought him on board – sharp operational instincts and a real drive to help this company grow. Putting him in the President seat lets us move faster on the growth plans we’ve been building towards.”

Feldbauer said, “It has been a fast year and a half at Shrader Tire & Oil. I have gained tremendous insight and valuable knowledge about our organisation’s structure, company culture and an understanding of our overall goals and commitments. One thing is clearly obvious – the commitment Shrader employees have to deliver the best customer experience each and every time. I appreciate this and look forward to supporting them as their President and COO.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has unveiled a brand installation at the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) T2 Elevated Road Underpass as the tyre manufacturer seeks to broaden its positioning beyond its traditional Off-Highway business and strengthen awareness of its expanding on-highway portfolio in India.

The 2,000 sq. ft. installation, inspired by the company's "Elevate Your Drive" philosophy, highlights BKT's portfolio across agriculture, construction, mining, earthmoving, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. The activation comes as the company expands its presence in India's two-wheeler and commercial vehicle tyre segments.

Designed to move beyond conventional outdoor advertising, the installation features nine illuminated tyre-shaped displays, each 8 feet in diameter, using the tyre itself as the central storytelling element. It opens with a large-format visual featuring BKT brand ambassador Ranveer Singh, followed by a sequence of displays illustrating the company's expanding mobility portfolio. The installation will remain at the airport for 24 months.

Mumbai International Airport handled a record 55.5 million passengers in 2025, providing the company with sustained visibility among business travellers and consumers.

"For BKT, innovation goes beyond product engineering; it extends to how we tell our story. This installation reflects a simple yet powerful idea: our tyre itself becomes the medium through which travellers experience the breadth of BKT's world. As we expand our presence across India's mobility landscape, it is important that consumers see BKT not through a single product category, but as a brand that supports movement across diverse terrains, applications and journeys. Mumbai Airport provides an ideal stage for us to express that transformation in a memorable and distinctive way," said Satish Sharma, Senior President & Director – Business Development and Strategy, BKT.

The installation was conceptualised by Infectious Advertising and uses immersive design, sequential storytelling and its airport location to showcase the company's wider mobility portfolio. According to BKT, the activation is intended to connect its established Off-Highway business with its growing presence in India's on-highway mobility market.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Mumbai-headquartered leading carbon black manufacturer Epsilon Carbon has reported a 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions across its upstream transportation operations during FY2025–26. The reduction was achieved through the deployment of an electric and liquefied natural gas freight fleet.

An independent third party certified the emissions data. The reductions achieved in transport logistics equate to carbon absorption figures associated with approximately 29,000 trees. The verified figures allow supply chain partners to include these reductions within Scope 3 emissions reporting frameworks and environmental disclosures.

Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Decarbonising logistics is central to our climate strategy. What makes this milestone meaningful is that the results are independently verified with a 10 percent reduction in CO2e emissions within the upstream transportation category over a single financial year, driven by the adoption of electric and LNG fleets. These carbon reductions strengthen our own sustainability disclosures and those of our customers, and we intend to scale this model across our supply chain.”

Following Phase 1 operations, Epsilon Carbon intends to expand the number of electric and LNG vehicles in its transport fleet during FY 2026–27 to scale low-carbon freight transport across its supply chain network.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!