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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MAXAM Tire has named Chris Rhoades as its new Zone Sales Director for the Northern region, a move that underscores the company’s dedication to expanding its footprint and enhancing customer service within the speciality tyre aftermarket. The appointment reflects a broader strategy to strengthen leadership and competitive positioning in the sector.

Rhoades brings over 25 years of international industry experience and a well-established reputation as a leading voice in the tyre business. His leadership credentials include being elected to two separate terms on the Tire Industry Association Board of Directors. Most recently at BKT Tires, he managed strategic growth in complex and highly technical off the road markets, where he aligned regional execution with global strategy, led cross functional teams and consistently delivered measurable revenue increases.

In his new capacity, Rhoades will direct all sales operations across the Northern region, collaborating closely with customers and partners to ensure performance, service and support remain synonymous with the MAXAM Tire brand. His appointment signals a focused effort to drive results through experienced leadership and deep market knowledge.

Jimmy McDonnell, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, MAXAM Tire, said, “We are excited to welcome Chris to the MAXAM team. Chris brings deep industry knowledge, proven leadership and a strong customer-first mindset that will create immediate value for our partners. His experience and vision will play an important role as we continue to grow our presence, strengthen relationships and expend the MAXAM brand across the market.”

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Bekaert’s Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Olivier Biebuyck as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 June 2026. He brings extensive expertise in leading, expanding and transforming global industrial enterprises through both organic growth and acquisitions, positioning him to drive Bekaert’s future strategic goals.

On that same date, the board will co-opt Biebuyck as a director. Meanwhile, current CEO and board member Yves Kerstens will conclude his mandate on 31 May 2026, having led the company in recent years. He will also step down from his directorship as of that day.

The leadership transition marks a carefully planned succession, with Biebuyck’s track record seen as critical to advancing Bekaert’s long-term ambitions. The changes take effect at the end of May and start of June 2026.

Jürgen Tinggren, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “I am proud to announce the appointment of Olivier Biebuyck as CEO of Bekaert. The Board is convinced that he is the right person to lead the transformation of the company in its next chapter. On behalf of the Board and the entire Bekaert team, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Yves for his leadership, commitment and contribution to the company over the past years, and wish him the very best.”

Biebuyck said, “Bekaert has an impressive history of innovation, business expansion and evolution. I am honoured to take up the role of CEO at Bekaert. I look forward to working closely with the Board, the leadership team and all colleagues around the world to further transform and grow the company and create long term value for all our stakeholders.”

Kerstens said, “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of Bekaert and to work alongside our colleagues around the world during the past years. I am proud of what we have achieved together and wish Olivier all the best to lead the company in building a strong future.”

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Sri Lanka-based GRI Tires has extended its limited warranty coverage for pneumatic tyres to up to 10 years, effective from 2026, as the specialty tyre manufacturer seeks to strengthen customer assurance across its agricultural, construction and material handling businesses.

The revised warranty policy applies to all GRI-branded pneumatic tyres manufactured on or after January 1, 2025, and covers customers in more than 80 countries. The company previously offered warranty coverage of up to seven years.

Under the updated policy, agricultural radial tyres will be covered for up to 10 years, while agricultural bias tyres will receive coverage of up to eight years. Construction, earthmover, industrial, material handling, port and mining tyres will be covered for up to five years, subject to terms and conditions.

GRI said warranty protection would cover qualifying defects, with credit issued on a pro-rated basis.

For qualifying failures occurring within the first three years, and where radial tyre wear does not exceed 20 per cent, customers will receive a full replacement credit.

The warranty applies exclusively to the original end-use purchaser.

“This enhanced 10-year warranty is more than a policy update — it is a statement of our conviction in the quality of every tire we manufacture,” said Barry Guildford, global commercial director at GRI.

“We build tires to perform in the most demanding conditions, and we stand behind them.”

Customers can submit warranty claims through authorised GRI dealers and distributors, or directly through the company’s customer support channels.

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Georg Nordmann Holding Aktiengesellschaft (GNH) has appointed Martin Rathke as Managing Director of its subsidiary Nordmann (Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH), effective 1 May 2026. The move marks a strategic step in the company’s ongoing leadership development.

Rathke joins with considerable leadership experience and deep knowledge of international sales and distribution within the chemical distribution sector. His career includes years of service in a family-owned enterprise, where he held senior management roles with global responsibility. He will now share leadership duties with Ulrich Cramer, who remains in his position, and together they aim to form a closely aligned team to advance Nordmann’s strategic direction.

The joint leadership will focus on accelerating global expansion through targeted strategic, organic and inorganic growth while optimising existing operations and continuously refining the company’s portfolio strategy. Backed by the commitment of its shareholders, Nordmann seeks to strengthen its international presence and evolve into a global player in the chemical distribution industry.

Irina Zschaler, CEO of Georg Nordmann Holding Aktiengesellschaft, said, “Martin brings exactly the combination of entrepreneurial mindset, international experience and leadership strength that we value in our relationships and for our path to grow. Our collaboration is based on responsibility, integrity and the aspiration to create added value together for all involved and the entire group. We are therefore very much looking forward to welcoming our full Nordmann team.”

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