Under its Laufenn Brand, Hankook introduced a new line of tyres for commercial use for the second tier of the UK market.
Laufenn will initially launch with nine different patterns, covering the main range of tyre sizes, for the transport of goods, people as well as tyres for construction traffic. The initial line-up has been developed to meet more than 85% of the total market needs, with most of the sizes offering 3PMSF labelling.
“Our new Laufenn truck and bus radial tyres will offer the UK market a valuable addition to Hankook’s overall product portfolio,” says Chang-Yool Han, Managing Director of Hankook Tyre UK. “It will help us to demonstrate to our customers that Hankook is a premium tyre maker, able to offer a full and comprehensive product range, and therefore strengthen our position as a tyre solution provider.” Paul Emery, Sales Director of the UK adds: “To us this is a unique opportunity – by launching an additional truck and bus tyre brand for commercial use, we also substantiate the development of Hankook’s TBR offer into a striving, full-service, premium brand with all its associated technological innovations.”
The Laufenn truck and bus tyre line-up will initially offer products for regional haul use, last-mile delivery, public transport and construction traffic. All patterns are regroovable and retreadable with a deep original tread to deliver a good mileage performance. With proven casing technology and the necessary tread compound know-how, nine different tread patterns will initially be available to cover most of the market needs, of which 80% carry the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
The Laufenn range will include five tread designs for regional haul, three for construction and material handling traffic and one for urban and commuting bus services:
The regional haul treads cover Truck, Trailer and Bus needs. The two steer tyres, Laufenn LF21 for regional to longer driving distances, and LF22 for regional hauling, accommodate a wide range of vehicles, ensuring they will be well equipped and profiting from excellent durability, among other advantages. The Laufenn LZ22 serves as a drive axle tyre for regional haul application, offering a robust tread compound for long tyre life and even wear. Laufenn LF90 an LF91 both fit the purposes of regional haul trailer tyres in different sizes.
The On & Off road application range of Laufenn truck tyres covers the needs of customers who frequently serve construction sites with their fleet. Therefore, the all position Laufenn tyres LR01 and LR02 both offer the necessary heavy-duty endurance to withstand different levels of ground condition-induced stress. Laufenn LR53 teams up with the LR01 and LR02 as a reliable drive axle tyre with good chip and cut resistance and ability to withstand the demands for On & Off road application.
Kumho Tire USA Strengthens Leadership With Marketing Veteran Carolina Wagner
- By TT News
- April 28, 2026
Kumho Tire USA has appointed Carolina Wagner as its new Vice President of Marketing, a move aimed at reinforcing the company’s brand strength and competitive edge across the passenger, light truck and commercial vehicle segments in United States.
Wagner will take charge of all marketing operations for Kumho Tire USA, including brand strategy, product marketing, digital outreach, demand generation and sales support. Working alongside executive leadership and the sales team, she will focus on aligning marketing efforts with the firm’s ambitious growth objectives in the American market.
With over 25 years of executive experience at global tyre companies such as Continental Tires the Americas and Goodyear, Wagner has led growth and brand initiatives across the tyre, mobility, SaaS and material handling sectors. Her career began in Rio de Janeiro, advancing through leadership roles in Brazil and Latin America before moving to United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidade Santa Úrsula and an MBA from IBMEC Rio de Janeiro.
Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Carolina's arrival marks a pivotal moment for Kumho Tire. Her deep expertise in the tyre industry, combined with her proven ability to build integrated marketing strategies that deliver measurable results, makes her the ideal leader to drive our next chapter. We are confident that she will be a key force in taking Kumho Tire's brand positioning to the next level."
Wagner said, "I am incredibly excited to join Kumho Tire and work alongside the executive leadership team to continue elevating the brand in the US. The company has tremendous growth potential with high-quality new products on the roadmap that deliver on its performance without compromise mantra. I'm excited to execute integrated, data-driven strategies to increase brand awareness and ultimately fuel growth."
Mahatma Gandhi University Opens Admissions For Executive M.Tech In Polymer Engineering And Nanotechnology
- By TT News
- April 27, 2026
Mahatma Gandhi University’s School of Polymer Science and Technology has announced the opening of admissions for its Executive M.Tech programme in Polymer Engineering and Nanotechnology for the 2026–27 academic year, targeting working professionals and industry-sponsored candidates seeking advanced technical specialisation.
The programme will be conducted at the Convergence Academia Complex, located on the second floor of the university campus at Priyadarshini Hills, P.O. Kottayam, Kerala. The university, which is graded as a Category 1 autonomous institution by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is positioning the course as an industry-aligned offering designed to bridge academic research and industrial application.
Admissions are currently open, with the last date for submitting applications set as 30 April 2026.
Designed For Industry Professionals
The Executive M.Tech programme is tailored specifically for working professionals, reflecting the growing demand for flexible, advanced education pathways within technical industries. Sponsored candidates from organisations, as well as direct applicants with relevant professional experience, are eligible to apply.
Candidates must hold either an M.Sc. or B.Tech degree in relevant science or engineering disciplines. While preference will be given to employed candidates, others may also be considered subject to seat availability.
The programme offers a total of 24 seats, including 20 allocated for Indian candidates and four reserved for international applicants, signalling the university’s intent to attract a diverse cohort.
Interdisciplinary Focus
The curriculum emphasises an interdisciplinary approach, combining Polymer Engineering, Nanotechnology and Materials Science. This structure reflects broader shifts within manufacturing and materials industries, where cross-domain expertise is increasingly critical.
Courses will be delivered by a mix of academic faculty and industry practitioners, ensuring exposure to both theoretical frameworks and real-world applications. The university highlights that this dual approach is aimed at equipping professionals with practical insights alongside advanced technical knowledge.
Programme Highlights
Among the key features of the course are its focus on industry relevance and its alignment with evolving technological demands. The programme is structured to support professionals in enhancing their capabilities without stepping away from their careers.
The university notes that the course is particularly suited to those looking to deepen expertise in polymer science and nanotechnology while remaining engaged in industrial roles.
Application Process
Applications for the programme must be submitted online via the official application form:
https://forms.gle/yfTeeevAVLzmuK8P9
Prospective candidates can access additional information through the School of Polymer Science and Technology’s website at spst.mgu.ac.in.
TVS Srichakra Assumes Us Sponsorship And Licence Obligations In Agreement Transfer
- By TT News
- April 23, 2026
TVS Srichakra Limited has assumed contractual rights and obligations from its US subsidiary under an agreement with Bristol Motor Speedway LLC.
The Madurai-based company said in a regulatory filing that it executed an assignment and assumption agreement on April 10, 2026 with Super Grip Corporation and Bristol Motor Speedway. Under the arrangement, TVS Srichakra takes over all rights, duties and obligations previously held by Super Grip Corporation under a suite licence agreement dated February 16, 2024 and a sponsorship agreement dated April 5, 2024.
The company will pay USD 1,033,250 in instalments over the remaining term of the agreements. No consideration is payable to Super Grip Corporation for the transfer.
The original terms of the licence and sponsorship agreements remain unchanged, and the arrangements are set to run until December 31, 2028.
TVS Srichakra said the move was intended to enhance the visibility and reach of its brands in global markets.
Super Grip Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, while Bristol Motor Speedway is an unrelated third party. The assignment between TVS Srichakra and Super Grip Corporation qualifies as a related party transaction and has been conducted on an arm’s length basis.
Autopromotec Confirms New Management With Lazzarini As CEO And Gambassi As CSO
- By TT News
- April 22, 2026
Autopromotec has officially confirmed a new management structure, appointing Dr Enrica Lazzarini as Chief Executive Officer and Dr Guido Gambassi as Chief Strategy Officer. The decision, confirmed by the Board of Directors, reflects a strategy focused on leadership continuity by promoting experienced and respected internal figures already well established in the automotive equipment and aftermarket sector. The new leadership roles take effect from May 2026.
Under the new organizational chart, Dr Lazzarini was named Secretary General of AICA, the Italian Association of Automotive Equipment Manufacturers, on 5 March 2026. AICA jointly owns the Autopromotec trade fair with AIRP, the Italian Association of Tyre Retreaders. The next edition of the biennial exhibition is scheduled to take place from 26 to 29 May 2027, at the BolognaFiere exhibition centre.
Dr Gambassi now adds the CSO role to his existing responsibilities, which include serving as CEO of EditProm, the publisher of Pneurama magazine, as well as Secretary General of both AIRP and Federpneus, the National Association of Specialist Tyre Retailers. Federpneus operates its training workshop at the Casa Autopromotec headquarters.
The outgoing CEO and former AICA Secretary General, Renzo Servadei, who stepped down for personal reasons, has fully endorsed the new appointments. He has pledged his support for the upcoming 2027 edition to ensure strategic and organisational continuity across all entities responsible for the fair.
Dr Lazzarini said, “I welcome this new challenge with great enthusiasm and am honoured by the trust placed in me. Coordinating the next edition of Autopromotec will undoubtedly be stimulating, and I am certain that with the support of this team, which has been well-established for years, we will organise an event that lives up to the expectations of our exhibitors and visitors. The automotive sector is today increasingly characterised by structural and extremely dynamic innovations, which require the ability to react and analyse. Changes are happening so rapidly that it is now essential and fundamental to see and experience all the innovations first-hand, an opportunity that arises exclusively at events such as those made possible by Autopromotec.”
Dr Gambassi said, “What makes Autopromotec the most specialised trade fair in the sector is its ability to integrate innovations and market trends, thanks to its unique nature. Having a membership base and hosting so many organisations embedded within the fabric of the sector within its premises ensures that Autopromotec continues to be an international benchmark.”
Servadei said, “It is with great emotion and deep gratitude that I step down from both roles I have held to date, confident that the new management team at Autopromotec will carry forward the traditions that make our event unique whilst incorporating all the innovations the future holds. I am delighted that internal staff have been promoted, bringing with them their wealth of connections and relationships, which are our greatest asset: the ability to identify, understand and develop the needs of our exhibitors.”
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