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.

Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has been selected once again to continue as a constituent of three internationally renowned environmental, social and governance (ESG) indexes: the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes, the FTSE4Good Index Series and the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World).

Bridgestone has been a part of the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes for two years in a row since 2023, the DJSI World for three years in a row since 2022 and the FTSE4Good Index Series for seven years in a row from 2018. Bridgestone's specific Mid Term Business Plan (2024-2026) has been steadily implemented, putting sustainability at the centre of its operations. The company's 2020 vision and Mid-Long Term Business Strategy served as the foundation for the plan.

According to the company statement, “Setting forth the vision of ‘Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company’, Bridgestone links its business to the realisation of carbon neutrality, a circular economy and nature positivity across the entire value chain. From the ‘produce and sell’ phase and the ‘use’ of its products through to their ‘renewal’ to raw materials, Bridgestone aims to build a foundation for creating sustainability value.”

The following initiatives have contributed to Bridgestone's inclusion in these indexes:

• Contributing to a circular economy and attaining carbon neutrality by using ENLITEN technology to make tyres from recycled and renewable resources, using BCMA and switching to ‘Green & Smart’ manufacturing at Bridgestone locations to increase resource productivity and energy efficiency.
• Encouragement of nature positivity through initiatives for the sustainable use of water resources and natural rubber that are closely related to the commercial operations of the firm, including strengthening assistance for natural rubber smallholders.
• Strengthening of a thorough structure and procedure for human rights due diligence that aims to identify, mitigate, avoid and disclose human rights concerns.
• Visualisation and disclosure of the impact of social contribution actions that are in line with the global goals.

German automotive company and tyre major Continental has been added another feather to its cap with bagging the ‘Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence at this year’s Tire Technology Expo.

With this, Continental becomes the only tyre maker to have won two concurrent awards – Tire Manufacturer of the Year and Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing. The company’s Lousado facility in Portugal was also recognised for manufacturing tyres CO2-neutrally since last year.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research & Development, Continental Tires, said, "We are especially proud to be the only manufacturer to be honoured twice at the Tire Technology Awards in an extremely competitive field. Both awards highlight our strong commitment to sustainable tire development and manufacturing. In such a highly competitive market, this success demonstrates our innovative prowess and our ability to actively shape the future of the industry."

Interestingly, this also marks it the fourth time that the German company has bagged the Tire Manufacturer of the Year award. The awards took into consideration tyre makers globally and were evaluated by a jury of 27 independent industry experts.

Going forward, Continental has outlined its ambition to switch all of its tyre plants to fully carbon-neutral production processes by 2040 at the latest.

Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has appointed Jongseon Ahn and Sanghoon Lee as Executive Directors and new Co-CEOs, following a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors meeting held on 26 March.

Ahn will be in charge of Hankook Tire's global innovation, R&D, procurement, production and quality, while Lee will be in charge of global sales and marketing initiatives to strengthen the premium positioning of the company's unified global brand, Hankook, as well as the supply of original equipment (OE) tyres for new vehicles. In addition to the leadership nominations, shareholders approved all eight agenda items at the Annual General Meeting, including the approval of the consolidated financial accounts, partial revisions to the Articles of Incorporation and director appointments.

Ahn has extensive leadership expertise and a proven track record of advancing technology innovation in the operational holding firm, Hankook & Company. He oversaw general management and spearheaded innovative initiatives in 2021 while serving as COO of Hankook & Company and Head of ES (Energy Solution) Business Headquarters. He became the CEO in 2022 and oversaw the company's expansion of premium Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery sales into important international markets, which greatly increased profitability and strengthened the company's platform for long-term success.

Lee's vast worldwide leadership experience serves as the foundation for his profound understanding of marketing and global sales strategy. He has held important regional leadership positions in China and Europe since 2018, during which time he has played a crucial role in bolstering the company's premium brand positioning internationally and continuously promoting creative business performance, both of which have greatly increased revenue. At the conclusion of last year, he was nominated as Hankook Tire's Co-CEO due to his success and leadership.

Sri Lanka-based speciality tyre manufacturer GRI (Global Rubber Industries) has won the prestigious Material Handling Industry (MHI) Innovation Award for Best Innovation in Sustainability at ProMat 2025, held in Chicago, USA. The company’s premium plus ULTIMATE GREEN XT tyre has been honoured as the world’s most sustainable material handling tyre made with 93.5 percent sustainable materials.

This solid material handling tyre, which was designed and produced at GRI's state-of-the-art production facilities in Sri Lanka, combines energy-efficient production methods, environmentally friendly raw materials and outstanding performance to lessen its impact on the environment and increase productivity for companies all over the world. The award follows a thorough evaluation procedure in which the most innovative developments influencing the future of material handling were evaluated by a prestigious panel of industry executives, technical specialists and sustainability advocates. In addition to being a success for GRI, this result demonstrates Sri Lanka's increasing influence in the global manufacturing sector and reaffirms the nation's capacity for high-quality, sustainable production.

Prabhash Subasinghe, Managing Director, GRI, said, “This award is not just a recognition for GRI – it is a moment of pride for Sri Lanka, showcasing our ability to lead in sustainable industrial solutions. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT is a Sri Lankan innovation making a difference on the global stage, reinforcing our belief that sustainability is not an option – it is a responsibility. At GRI, we always think of the next generation and strive to grow for generations to come. We dedicate this achievement to the passionate and hardworking people of Sri Lanka, whose expertise and dedication made this possible.”