Hankook Tire extends sponsorship contract with Borussia Dortmund

Hankook Tire extends sponsorship contract with Borussia Dortmund

Hankook Tire extended its sponsorship contract with Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga club with the strongest brand in the league for another two years.

With the extension, the tyre company will enter its 12th season as BVB Champion Partner.

The sponsorship contract covers Comprehensive classic sponsoring rights in and around the stadium ensure high visibility for Hankook, through logo presence on LED boards, media backdrops, center circle tarpaulin and through spots on stadium TV.  In addition, Hankook has access to many other opportunities within the sponsorship rights, which will benefit consumers and customers alike.

"At this exciting time, we can look back on 11 years together with Hankook and the contract extension is also a compliment to all our fans out there who make BVB the attractive partner that we are. This is something special for us and is a reflection of the trusting relationship. Just like us, Hankook embodies sportiness, reliability, emotion and success, so the brand fits us perfectly," says Carsten Cramer, Managing Director of BVB.

"The long-standing sponsorship partnership with BVB has made a valuable contribution to our brand awareness and we are very much looking forward to reaching relevant target groups in the coming year in an attractive, positive environment with a club that fits so well with the core values of our brand - enthusiasm, emotion and passion for top performance," says Dietmar Olbrich, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Hankook Reifen Deutschland. "Borussia Dortmund is, and will continue to be, a genuinely popular and great club with a broad fan base. We are particularly pleased that we, as Champion Partner, can continue to take advantage of the interest in such an attention-grabbing team for our Hankook brand and continue to be part of this emotional and successful team."

Himadri Speciality Chemical’s Hooghly Plant Gets ISCC PLUS Certification

Himadri - ISCC Plus

Kolkata-based Himadri Speciality Chemical has announced that its flagship plant in Mahistikry, Haripal, Hooghly, has received ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification).

The company has been recognised for its ecological and social responsibility, along with compliance with stringent criteria on greenhouse gas emission reduction, ecosystem protection, social accountability and complete traceability of raw materials.

Anurag Choudhary, CMD & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical, said, “Achieving ISCC PLUS certification marks a defining step in Himadri’s sustainability journey. It validates our determination to integrate renewable, low- carbon, and circular solutions into every layer of our operations. As global industries shift towards sustainable value chains, Himadri is leading this transformation—delivering innovative and responsible solutions that create long-term value for society, the environment, and our stakeholders worldwide.”

With this recognition, the company joins a number of global players who are driving systemic change towards responsible sourcing and production.

George Varughese, Founder Of Midas Retreading Materials, Passes Away

George Varughese, Founder Of Midas Retreading Materials, Passes Away

George Varughese, founder of General Rubbers and the man behind the iconic Midas brand of tyre retreading materials, passed away on 28th August, 2025.

Varughese established General Rubbers in 1969, building Midas into India’s most recognised name in retreading materials. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a global player, supplying more than 24,000 tonnes of tread rubber, precured tread rubber and other products annually. Today, Midas serves customers across South America, Africa, Europe and Australia.

Known for his vision and emphasis on innovation, Varughese placed research and development at the heart of Midas’s success. His commitment to improving compound formulations with the latest technology ensured the brand’s reputation for durability and reliability.

With operations centred in Kottayam, Kerala, Midas continues to expand its dealer network, reflecting Varughese’s lifelong mission of accessibility and customer service.

Varughese leaves behind a lasting legacy in India’s tyre industry, remembered as a pioneer who transformed the retreading sector into a global business.

Vaculug Appoints Nick Hermitage As Operations Manager – OTR South

Vaculug Appoints Nick Hermitage As Operations Manager – OTR South

Vaculug has named Nick Hermitage as Operations Manager – OTR South, following a significant expansion in its OTR Division.

The company's new OTR Centre of Excellence in the South East will serve as Hermitage's headquarters. He is in charge of making sure the depot runs smoothly, which includes daily administration, logistics, foam filling and tyre pressing. Hermitage brings with him a depth of experience, knowledge and skill – accumulated over 22 years in the tyre industry.

Alan Robin, National Account Manager – OTR, Vaculug Technologies Ltd, said, "This is an incredibly exciting time at Vaculug, and we are fortunate to welcome Nick to the OTR team. His extensive experience and deep knowledge of both OTR and solid tyre operations will be instrumental as we build on our significant investments in the division. I am confident Nick will make a strong contribution to our growth and I wish him every success in his new role."

Hankook Tire Europe Appoints Richard Bezzant As Truck And Bus Marketing Director

Hankook Tire Europe Appoints Richard Bezzant As Truck And Bus Marketing Director

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH has appointed Richard Bezzant as the new Marketing Director Truck and Bus with effect from 1 August 2025.

The British-born marketing and sales expert started his career with Michelin in UK in 2003. He brings with him more than two decades of experience in the tyre business for buses and trucks. Following a five-year period in leadership roles in France, he most recently served as Marketing Director for UK and Ireland, where he was responsible for developing and managing the complete marketing strategy across all business divisions.

Bezzant said, “My goal is to support growth opportunities for Hankook in the European truck and bus sector and expand them further. I am confident that we will be able to build on what has been achieved so far and continue to expand the business with innovative products and services. I am glad to be working with a great team to pursue our goals.”

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing Department, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With Richard Bezzant, we have appointed an industry-leading expert for our truck and bus marketing activities. With his decades of experience, we will consistently expand our business in the commercial vehicle sector and strengthen our market position in Europe in the long term.”