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.

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JK Tyre & Industries is aiming for double-digit revenue growth in FY2026, outpacing its forecast for single-digit expansion across the broader tyre industry. Managing Director Anshuman Singhania outlined the company’s ambitions during a post-earnings media call, underscoring confidence in demand recovery and strategic market positioning.

Q1 Performance Overview

For the first quarter of FY2026, JK Tyre reported revenue of INR 38.91 billion, with EBITDA at INR 4.24 billion, translating to a margin of 10 percent. Net profit stood at ₹1.55 billion — up 51 percent compared with the previous quarter, but down 21 percent YoY.

Singhania attributed the annual decline to muted original equipment (OE) demand, particularly in truck and bus radial (TBR) volumes, alongside higher raw material costs compared to the same period last year. He also highlighted an adverse impact from the company’s Tornel business in Mexico, which faced uncertainty due to tariffs on exports from Mexico to the United States, dampening volumes.

Resilience in Domestic and Export Markets

Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “The growth momentum in domestic markets remained robust in Q1, with JK Tyre clocking a sales growth of 11 percent YoY, as contributed by a steady demand for our products in both replacement as well as OE segments, underscoring JK Tyre’s continued focus on core growth drivers and strengthening market presence.”

“Despite a challenging and uncertain macro-economic environment, exports of passenger car tyres witnessed a strong traction both on QoQ and YoY basis, signifying pull for our products and enhanced brand perception in the global markets,” said Dr Singhania.

Operational efficiencies and strategic pricing supported performance, even as natural rubber prices remained elevated. Subsidiaries Cavendish (India) and Tornel (Mexico) continued to contribute significantly to the group’s consolidated financials.

Operational efficiencies and strategic pricing supported performance, even as natural rubber prices remained elevated. Subsidiaries Cavendish (India) and Tornel (Mexico) continued to contribute significantly to the group’s consolidated financials.

Regarding trade tensions between India and the US, Anshuman Singhania noted that exports from India to the US account for only around 3 percent of JK Tyre’s revenue and could be redirected to markets such as Mexico, Latin America, Brazil and the UAE if required. With zero tariffs in Mexico, JK Tyre can utilise its production base there to meet demand for both passenger and truck radials. The EU and UK, where JK Tyre holds a strong position in the TBR segment, also remain tariff-free.

Capacity expansion

The company’s INR 14 billion capital expenditure plan is progressing on schedule, covering passenger car radial (PCR), TBR and all-steel truck radial projects. For the year, investment is expected to total INR 9-10 billion, aimed at boosting production capacity by 30-40 percent.

A key driver for future profitability is the shift towards premium products. The share of 16-inch and above passenger car tyres in JK Tyre’s portfolio has grown from 18 percent in FY2020 to 25 percent in FY2025, with a target of 40-45 percent over the next two to three years. This change is being fuelled by rising SUV sales, larger rim sizes in entry-level cars and strong export demand.

The company has also developed a complete range of tyres for electric vehicles, spanning commercial truck radials, bus tyres, passenger radials and two/three-wheeler tyres  Major OEMs such as Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility and Tata Motors are sourcing these products, including for last-mile connectivity vehicles and newly launched EV buses.

Market Outlook

The replacement market has been a bright spot, with passenger radial volumes up 32 percent year-on-year and truck radial volumes growing in the high single digits. JK Tyre expects demand to strengthen in the second half of FY2026, supported by infrastructure development, a favourable monsoon, potential interest rate cuts, and improved consumer liquidity.

Anshuman Singhania stressed that the worst of raw material price pressures appear to be over, paving the way for margin improvement as the product mix shifts and capacity utilisation rises. With the small car segment’s gradual decline offset by growth in premium categories, JK Tyre remains confident in sustaining momentum.

“Overall, India is poised for growth,” Singhania concluded. “We see positives across the board — from infrastructure push to evolving consumer preferences — and we are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends.”

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Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its ADVAN V61 tyres as original equipment for BYD’s new SEALION 6 DM-i SUV, marking the Japanese manufacturer’s first OE partnership with the Chinese carmaker.

The SEALION 6 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV launched by BYD Company Ltd. this July, is being factory-fitted with 235/50R19 103V size ADVAN V61 tyres. The announcement comes as Yokohama seeks to grow its footprint in China’s fast-evolving electric and hybrid vehicle market.

The ADVAN V61 is part of Yokohama’s global flagship ADVAN range and is positioned as a premium SUV tyre. The company said the tyre “offers ADVAN’s hallmark premium-grade driving performance, along with a high-level balance of fuel and energy efficiency, handling stability, and quietness, achieving both comfortable city driving and long-distance touring for heavyweight SUVs.”

The SEALION 6 DM-i combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing up to 74kW with an electric motor generating 160kW. Buyers can choose between 18.3 kWh and 26.6 kWh blade battery options, offering electric driving ranges of 93km and 130km, respectively. All models come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems as standard, and the exterior design draws inspiration from the concept of “ocean aesthetics.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd said its subsidiary Dunlop Tyre Japan Ltd has completed a Japan Fair Trade Commission investigation into automotive all-season tyre sales after the regulator approved a commitment plan submitted by the unit.

The probe, which examined the subsidiary’s sales practices, concluded without the commission identifying any violation of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act, Sumitomo Rubber said in a statement.

Under Japan’s commitment procedures, companies can submit plans to address potential competition concerns without admitting wrongdoing, allowing them to resolve investigations while avoiding formal sanctions.

"We deeply apologise for the great trouble and anxiety that we have caused to all concerned, including our clients and business partners,” the tyre maker said.

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Belgian steel wire maker Bekaert reported resilient first-half 2025 earnings as strong cash generation and cost control offset softer sales, but warned that tariffs and currency pressures are weighing on demand.

The company posted consolidated sales of €1.9 billion, down 5.2 percent year-on-year, with volumes declining 2.6 percent and price/mix effects stripping out a further 2.2 percent. Underlying EBIT slipped 16.2 percent to €171 million, delivering a margin of 8.8 percent compared with 9.9 percent a year earlier.

Free cash flow surged to €123 million from €43 million in the prior-year period, driven by a €135 million reduction in working capital and €21 million in cost savings as the company continued to streamline operations and rein in capex. Net debt fell to €327 million from €399 million despite a continuing €200 million share buyback programme, €74 million of which has been completed.

“We have continued to focus on what we can control best – cash flow and costs - and have significantly reduced overheads and working capital in H1 2025,” chief executive Yves Kerstens said. “Equally, I am very pleased with the hard work of our teams fighting for volumes in the current challenging markets.”

He added: “We are also taking further steps to make our business units more autonomous and agile. Therefore, I am very confident that we will come out of the current business environment stronger and more cost competitive than ever before.”

Bekaert said volumes were particularly strong in its Steel Wire Solutions and Rubber Reinforcement divisions in the United States and China, while European and Latin American demand lagged. Its Brazilian joint ventures delivered €24 million in net profit share, up from €20 million a year ago.

However, the group cautioned that growing trade tensions – including a rise in US steel tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent – and the weakening of the US dollar and Chinese yuan against the euro were eroding pricing power and softening orders.

“Following a period of resilience in Q2, the tariff uncertainty and weakening economic outlook has started to have an impact on demand,” Bekaert said.

The company now expects slightly lower full-year 2025 sales on a like-for-like basis, with an underlying EBIT margin of between 8.0 percent and 8.5 percent, down from 8.8 percent in the first half.

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