Magna Tyres Group, a leading global manufacturer of OTR and industrial tyres, has appointed Hein de Wind as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) with immediate effect.

Bringing extensive experience and successful track record to the role, de Wind’s contribution to Magna Tyres' global development and commercial success since joining the firm as Commercial Director has been crucial. Magna Tyres was able to effectively establish itself in key growing regions, such as Australia and South Africa, under his guidance. His foresight and practical attitude were crucial in starting full-scale operations in these areas, which allowed Magna Tyres to provide local customer service while solidifying its standing as a really worldwide force in the industrial and off-the-road (OTR) tyre industries. In his new role, de Wind will be in charge of developing and carrying out the company's worldwide commercial strategy with a focus on spurring expansion and strengthening client ties in every area.

Michael de Ruijter, CEO, Magna Tyres Group, said, “Hein has been a cornerstone of our international growth over the past years. His in-depth industry expertise, commercial acumen and unwavering focus on customer value make him the ideal person to lead our commercial organisation. With Hein as CCO, we are confident that Magna Tyres will continue its upward trajectory and set new standards of excellence worldwide.”

“It is a great honour to take on the role of Chief Commercial Officer at such a dynamic and forward-thinking company. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams around the world to build on our strong foundation, deepen our customer partnerships, and continue delivering high-quality solutions that meet the evolving needs of our markets,” said de Wind.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has elected Jason J Winkler to its Board of Directors, effective 15 May 2025, the company announced today.

Winkler, who currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Motorola Solutions, will join Goodyear's Audit Committee and Committee on Corporate Responsibility and Compliance.

"We are pleased to welcome Jason Winkler to Goodyear's Board of Directors," said Chairman of the Board Laurette T. Koellner. "His extensive global finance leadership experience will be an incredible asset as Goodyear continues to drive substantial company and shareholder value by delivering significant margin expansion, an optimised portfolio and reduced leverage under the Goodyear Forward transformation plan."

Winkler brings over two decades of financial leadership experience to the tyre manufacturer's board. Since joining Motorola in 2001, he has held numerous financial leadership positions across investor relations, global channel management, mergers and acquisitions, and product operations.

In his current role at Motorola Solutions, Winkler oversees the company's financial strategy and leads its finance, supply chain and information technology functions. He has been instrumental in driving significant transformation at Motorola, achieving growth, margin expansion and balance sheet improvements that have contributed to strong shareholder returns.

Prior to his tenure at Motorola, Winkler worked at Oracle and Hewitt Associates, now AON. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Valparaiso University and an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.

The European replacement tyre market displayed mixed signals in the first quarter of 2025, with consumer tyres growing modestly while truck and agricultural segments contracted, according to data released by the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA).

Consumer tyre sales grew 3 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, continuing the recovery observed in the second half of 2024. The all-seasons segment emerged as the standout performer with a robust 14 percent growth, whilst winter tyres rose 5 percent. Summer tyres declined by 3 percent.

"In Consumer tyres, the recovery observed in the second half of 2024 (+8 percent) has continued in the first quarter of 2025. Volumes were close to those reached in the first quarter of 2019, before the impact of the pandemic," said Adam McCarthy, ETRMA's Secretary General.

The truck tyre segment, however, showed weakness with a 4 percent decline compared to Q1 2024 and remains 11 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Agricultural tyres mirrored this downward trend with a 4 percent reduction, whilst motorcycle and scooter tyres grew 7 percent against what the association described as "a relatively weak first quarter of 2024".

McCarthy attributed the truck segment's poor performance to "economic and political uncertainties" affecting the market.

The data reveals a striking trend in tyre imports, with passenger car and light truck tyre imports into Europe surging 12 percent in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This follows a 17 percent increase in 2024, with Chinese imports up 18 percent, Korean imports up 30 percent, and Indian imports up 34 percent.

Industry analysts suggest this import surge reflects both consumer cost pressures and production challenges facing European manufacturers.

"Pressure on household budgets has increased demand for low-cost imports whilst European tyre production costs, particularly for energy, have increased at a faster pace than in other regions," the ETRMA report noted.

In a separate trend, truck and bus tyre imports from outside Europe grew 8 percent in early 2025, with ASEAN countries now representing over 60 percent of imported volumes. Vietnam's share has grown significantly, accounting for over a quarter of imports in the period.

The association also highlighted that despite significant changes in mobility patterns, with car traffic yet to fully recover from pandemic lows, the total light vehicle fleet in Europe grew by 1.4 percent in 2024, adding more than 4 million vehicles. Light commercial vehicles showed stronger growth, driven by e-commerce and last-mile delivery expansion.

The report estimates that nearly 4.5 million tonnes of used tyres were generated across Europe in 2024, with only about 600,000 tonnes reused or retreaded.

Ralson Tire North America (RTNA) has made some strategic changes in its top management with an aim to strengthen its foundation for the future. The company has promoted Mark Roe to Vice President of Sales for the company. Roe previously served as Vice President – Sales (West) for the company. Apart from this, Christy Neito has been promoted to the role of Business Manager for RTNA.

According to the company, Roe will work closely with all RTNA sales managers to assign roles and coordinate execution, which will improve performance and focus throughout RTNA.

Neito has over 20 years of expertise in operational administration, bookkeeping and office management. She joined RTNA in 2023. Neito will be in charge of banking and accounting coordination, cash management, compliance and administrative assistance for HR services as part of her enlarged duties.

RTNA Senior Vice President Brian Sheehey, said, “Mark brings over three decades of rich experience in domestic and regional sales within the tyre industry and has been an integral part of RTNA since 2024. His deep industry expertise and leadership will be key drivers in strengthening our sales organisation.”

“Christy’s expertise and collaborative approach will be pivotal as we scale operations. We are confident that these changes will further propel RTNA’s growth trajectory and strengthen our foundations for the future,” added Sheehey.

Hyderabad-based manufacturer targets 2 million monthly units within five years

In recent years, Hyderabad-based ARL Tyres has proven to be a versatile and innovative player with ambitious strategic goals. From providing specialised rubber items to the Indian military to creating innovative solutions for the emerging electric vehicle segment, ARL Tyres has shown remarkable resilience since its inception as a family enterprise in 1983.

With production levels now crossing 150,000 units per month and ambitious goals to reach two million units per month in five years, ARL is placing itself at the cusp of conventional industrial manufacturing and future mobility solutions. Its recent appearance at the Ride Asia EV Expo showcased the company’s wide range of products and its dedication to supporting India’s developing transportation infrastructure with niche products such as Smart Tyres and terrain-specific Mud Master range.

Hyderabad-based ARL Tyres, a division of Agarwal Rubber Limited, recently showcased its products, including tyres and tubes, at the Ride Asia EV Expo held at Bharat Mandapam this year. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. It offers a comprehensive range of products, including tyres for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). It is also known for manufacturing Smart Tyres.

Growth Plans

The types of tyres being produced at this company include those for ultra-light trucks, two-wheelers, forklifts, tractors and light trucks. The company manufactures approximately 12,000 tyres daily at its production facility, selling across different areas of the country due to a 400-strong network of exclusive dealers.

According to Gautam Ghosh, Head-West Zone at ARL Tyres, “We are very optimistic about tyre sales in 2025 as there is tremendous potential in the EV sector. So far, in 2025, we have been averaging close to 150,000 units per month. Expect us to touch 0.2 to 0.25 million units a month by the end of this year.”

Continuing the expansion plan, the company intends to touch at least two million monthly units in five years. This growth is supported by its extensive network of exclusive dealers distributed across various regions of India.

Technical Expertise and Manufacturing Capabilities

In 2000, ARL Tyres gathered in-depth knowledge about all the major tyre technologies, manufacturing processes and industry standards. Apart from tyres, this ISO 9001:2015-certified company is also known for manufacturing high-quality flaps, envelopes, curing bags, bladders and butyl tubes.

Today, the company boasts an ultra-modern tube manufacturing unit that produces roughly 50,000 high-grade butyl rubber automotive tubes. While the range begins with two-wheeler sizes, it also extends to the aviation and OTR (Off-The-Road) sectors

Defence Sector Connection

Since 1996, ARL’s technical expertise in rubber has enabled it to supply tubes to the Indian defence sector. The durability and performance of its products have made ARL a preferred OEM supplier for the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited), and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).

Products for E3W Segment

For the electric three-wheeler market, which includes auto-rickshaws (passenger and commercial) and e-rickshaws, ARL offers both tube-type and tubeless tyres in sizes 4.00-12 and 4.50-12. The company markets two brands for this vehicle category: the Savera and the Xtreme.

According to the company, individuals should choose the Savera for its performance, safety, and durability on urban and semi-urban roads. Its non-skid Depth (NSD) ranges from 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm, which gives it good grip and safety. It would be useful as a passenger and cargo tyre.

On the other hand, ARL Xtreme is a tube-type tyre that optimises long-lasting performance, grip and safety on various roads. It differs from the Savera in terms of design and safety. Unlike the Savera, an NSD of 9mm is available here. Engineers at ARL have created a stylish design for the Xtreme that balances aesthetics and functionality with advanced technology.

Global Reach and Partnerships

Beyond the domestic market, ARL exports its products to more than 60 countries worldwide. Over the years, ARL Tyres has forged a few partnerships with top brands and continues to do so. For example, the company partnered with Chandu Champion, cheered India at the Paris Olympics through its ‘Jeet ki Aur’ campaign, and sponsored RCB during IPL 2025.

Innovative Offerings

Among its unique propositions, ARL offers OEM test drives with new tyres at specific locations, allowing auto manufacturers to fine-tune vehicle designs according to tyres and provide targeted inputs. It also sells Smart Tyres with scientific tread designs for efficient movement. The cross sipes on these tyres differ greatly from regular tyres and help grip wet and muddy surfaces. Instead of relying on vehicle technologies, these tyres are themselves available with real-time monitoring capabilities.

Company History and Client Base

ARL was founded as a family business in 1983 and became a tyre manufacturing company. Mobility companies such as Maa Luxmi India and Ferranza Electric Vehicle Private Limited, which were present at the Ride Asia Expo EV, are clients of ARL, as are the OEM manufacturers Omaha, Arel and Yakuza. While ARL’s trials for the Thukral Electric Bike have already commenced, the dispatches have not yet begun.