Bansal Wire Industries, India’s largest stainless steel wire manufacturing company, is charting a dynamic course in the Indian tyre market with innovative solutions aimed at enhancing performance and sustainability. Leveraging its expertise in the automotive sector, the company is introducing advanced steel cords and bead wire products designed to improve tyre efficiency, rolling resistance and fuel economy.

Bansal Wire Industries is optimistic on capitalising on the growth of the Indian tyre market as tyre makers endeavour to offer more efficient rubber wheels. The Delhi-based conglomerate is planning to introduce products within its tyre-industry portfolio that will improve performance. The company already caters to the automobile industry with products spanning outer and inner spring, circlips and washer categories.

Speaking to Tyre Trends on upcoming products, Managing Director Pranav Bansal iterated, “Our modern manufacturing setup enhances product performance; this is particularly in line with current industry trends as we move towards producing super tension and super tensile plus steel cord products. These innovations are expected to improve rolling resistance and reduce tyre weight, both of which contribute to better fuel efficiency and performance. We are actively embracing complete digitalisation and bringing more automation into our processes, helping us increase efficiency and ensure product consistency.”

He added, “We pride ourselves in being the only Indian company manufacturing steel cord for the PCR and TBR sectors with offerings in normal tensile, high tensile and super tensile (ST). Additionally, we have expanded our bead wire manufacturing capabilities with facilities in both South and North India and we continue to explore innovations to serve the evolving needs of the tyre industry.”

Alluding to the reason behind expanding into the tyre industry, he noted, “Our expansion into the tyre industry is driven by the increasing demands of durable, high-quality materials and products, as supported by industry research reports done by Invest India, among others. By diversifying our product portfolio, we aim to meet this demand for efficient materials. By focusing on high-quality steel cords and bead wires, we help improve tyre performance, which in turn enhances vehicle stability, handling and safety, especially under challenging road conditions.”

“The Indian tyre industry has witnessed a significant growth over the past few years, which is driven by an exponential increase in production, domestic sales, exports and overall revenue. An integral growth factor in this is the increase in the ownership of vehicles, which further aids the tyre industry. Additionally, the surge in demand for tyres for trucks and buses, fuelled by expanding mobility and industrialisation, has given a boost to the sector,” he added.

The company caters to over 5,000 customers, offering more than 4,000 different wire products across industries such as automotive, infrastructure and consumer durables. While its primary market is India, the manufacturer also exports products to over 50 countries. The US and Europe are among its largest markets, where it continues to see significant demand for products.

Industry talk

Bansal mentioned that the increasing demand in the automotive industry, domestically, presents tremendous opportunities for the company. “Our high-performing products allow us to constantly evolve. However, challenges like fluctuating raw material prices as well as the changing regulatory requirements could impact. Expansion internationally, specifically in regions like the US and Europe, provides significant opportunities, but geo-political risks and trade regulations could challenge the operations on a global level,” he noted.

Alluding to the strategies implemented by the company to meet the growing demands, he iterated, “In the automotive and tyre industry, collaboration with stakeholders is key to driving innovation and meeting the growing demand for high-quality wire products. We focus on building strong partnerships with manufacturers, suppliers and research institutions to align our solutions with industry needs. Regular engagement through industry forums, trade shows and feedback mechanisms allow us to understand evolving requirements and deliver solutions that enhance performance, safety and sustainability. By participating in joint development projects, sharing technical expertise and staying updated on emerging trends, we ensure our products remain at the forefront of technological advancements.”

Quality and sustainability

The company has manufacturing facilities for bead wire in both South and North India. The production capacity at its South India facility is 50 kilotonnes per year, and at the North India facility, it is 30 kilotonnes per year. Additionally, it has a pilot manufacturing site for steel cords in North India, which currently has a production capacity of 20 kilotonnes per year. The company plans to gradually scale up this capacity to meet the growing demand of the tyre industry. 

Commenting on quality measures implemented to derive industry-grade materials, he explained, “We are committed to ensuring the highest product quality and will soon be the only company in India with dedicated in-house research and development wing for both steel cord and bead wire. Our research and development facility spans 12,000 square feet and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to drive innovation. To achieve 'First Time Right' production, we have conducted extensive gap analyses of our processes and implemented all necessary improvements. Additionally, our manufacturing facilities are equipped with cutting-edge machinery, all integrated with a complete digital interface to capture real-time data, ensuring the highest standards in production and quality.”

The company also puts focus in the principles of circularity with several initiatives. “Sustainability is a core focus area for us and we are addressing it in several ways. Our use of renewable energy has reached 70 percent in some of our plants and we are dedicatedly moving towards water positivity in many of our facilities. We are exploring the use of green steel in both our steel cord and bead wire products. To further reduce our environmental impact, we are investing in energy-efficient machinery and continuously seeking ways to minimise emissions across our operations,” said Bansal.

Future course

According to Bansal, the company is anticipating several key trends that will influence its business, including a strong focus on product innovation to enhance performance and quality. “We are committed to show resilience to maintain operational stability in dynamic markets. We work dedicatedly to improve the customer experience through feedback and satisfaction while also fostering diversity and inclusion within our workplace culture. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility remain priorities, alongside embracing technological advances to optimise our operations and product offerings for the future. These trends will guide our growth and ensure we stay ahead in a competitive market,” explained Bansal.

Besides, the company is also focused on significant growth opportunities through the establishment of new facilities and capacity expansions. “Our new manufacturing site in North India for both steel cord and bead wire has a current steel cord capacity of 20 kilotonnes per year with plans to scale it to 200 kilotonnes per year over the next five years. In bead wire, we now have two new state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in South and North India with a combined production capacity of 80 kilotonnes per year, ensuring that we are well positioned to meet the increasing demand from our customers in the coming years,” concluded Bansal.

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Giti Tire has launched its new ultra-high-performance GitiSportS2+ tyre, following an outstanding result in the AutoBild 2026 Summer Tyre Test, where it received one of the most prestigious independent endorsements in Europe. Rated as exemplary by the leading German publication, the tyre secured fourth place overall out of an initial field of 50 competitors. The evaluation praised its exceptional value for money, impressive driving dynamics and substantial safety margins.

Tested on a BMW 5 Series using the 245/45R19 size, the tyre initially shared fourth position based on wet and dry braking performance, recording a total stopping distance of 42.5 metres. It maintained this high standard across 12 additional assessments, ultimately ranking among the top five alongside several premium manufacturers. The new model is scheduled to be available from spring 2026, launching in 19 sizes covering rim diameters from 17 to 20 inches, widths between 225 and 255 and aspect ratios from 35 to 55.

Designed for sporty cars and powerful SUVs, the GitiSportS2+ features a newly engineered compound that reduces wet braking distances by eight percent and dry braking by two percent compared to its predecessor. It also achieves the highest possible EU Wet Grip label rating of ‘A’. In line with the manufacturer’s broader strategy, the tyre bears the AdvanZtech EV Ready sidewall marking, indicating its compatibility with internal combustion engines, mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles.

During the initial rollout, many existing sizes of the original GitiSportS2 will remain on the market, ensuring continued coverage across the sport vehicle segment. Development took place at Giti’s European R&D Centre in Hannover, with testing and fine-tuning conducted at tracks in UK and Spain. The project leveraged the company’s AdvanZtech technology, a globally integrated research and development system.

Fabio Pecci-Boriani, Deputy General Manager – Product Planning PCR and LTR, Giti Tire R&D Centre (Europe), said, “The new GitiSportS2+ is testimony of the achievements that our engineers, testers and manufacturing facilities have been able to deliver in the area of performance while retaining the sustainability, endurance and mileage criteria that are important to the daily driver. To launch a tyre off the back of an ‘exemplary’ rating in AutoBild is nothing short of sensational; we are thrilled that one of the leading automobile titles in Europe has been able to validate and confirm our latest development and we are excited to share this news with our trusted customers.

“The target criteria for the GitiSportS2+ was to deliver further improvements in dynamic driving, enhanced control on wet roads with precise and exciting control on dry roads, all while maintaining the mileage and energy efficiency of the previous generation. Sportiveness is at the heart of the tyre with a particularly stiff design that contributes to stability at high speeds as well as in cornering. The increased grip performance goes is more precise, firm, predictable and constant.”

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Halfords has signalled a strategic push into the B2B mobility market by naming a new leader for its fleet division. Jessica Jones is set to become Director of Fleet Solutions from the start of April 2026, tasked with accelerating growth in this area. She arrives with considerable expertise in the fleet, leasing and B2B mobility sectors, having spent her career guiding national account teams and forging strong customer relationships that have driven commercial success.

Her background encompasses strategic fleet management, business expansion and the creation of adaptable service models for corporate clients. Prior to this appointment, Jones served as Sales Director at Sixt UK and held the position of Director of National Fleet Sales at ATS Euromaster. Her recruitment underscores Halfords' commitment to developing its fleet services as a core area for expansion.

The company aims to support businesses by utilising its extensive network of garages to provide integrated maintenance and mobility services. These offerings are designed to maximise vehicle availability and assist companies in controlling operational expenditure.

Adam Pay, Managing Director of Garages at Halfords, said, “Fleet is a significant growth opportunity for Halfords, and Jess brings deep sector expertise alongside a strong track record of building high-performing teams and customer partnerships. As fleets face increasing cost pressures and operational complexity, our national scale and service capability position us strongly to support customers. Jess’s leadership will help us accelerate momentum and unlock further opportunities in this important market.”

Jones said, “I’m delighted to be joining Halfords at such an exciting point in its growth. The business combines a trusted consumer brand with a powerful national servicing network, creating real potential in fleet. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues and customers to build on the strong foundations already in place and further develop a differentiated, customer-focused fleet offering.”

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Triangle Tyre has significantly strengthened its European off-the-road operations with the appointment of Federico Parmesan as the new European OTR Technical Manager, a position he assumed on 1 March 2026. This strategic appointment represents a key milestone in the company's ongoing efforts to enhance its technical capabilities and expand its market presence across the continent's specialised tyre sector.

Parmesan brings more than three decades of tyre industry experience to his new role, with particular expertise concentrated in OTR and earthmoving applications. His extensive background encompasses not only deep technical knowledge but also a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by dealers and end-users operating in demanding environments. This combination of technical proficiency and practical insight positions him to effectively bridge the gap between product development and real-world application requirements.

In his new capacity, Parmesan will work closely with Triangle's partner network throughout Europe, providing support for both aftermarket and original equipment segments. His responsibilities include strengthening the company's field application expertise and contributing directly to the continued development of the OTR product portfolio. These efforts aim to deliver enhanced value and service to partners across the region.

The appointment reflects Triangle's strategic priority of reinforcing its technical structure to support ambitious growth objectives in the European OTR segment. The company seeks not merely to consolidate its existing market share but to achieve sustainable expansion while elevating support levels for its partners. Parmesan's extensive experience, energetic approach and positive attitude are expected to prove invaluable assets as Triangle pursues these goals and strengthens its position within the competitive European market.

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ATF Tyres, one of India’s leading manufacturers of off-highway tyres, has announced the appointment of Rajesh Vyas as its new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Vyas brings over 25 years of global experience to the role, having worked across diverse international markets to build high-performance sales teams and enhance distribution networks.

His professional background includes leadership roles in brand positioning and product portfolio expansion within competitive sectors. Prior to joining ATF, Vyas served as Vice President at Rubber King Tyre Group. He also held key positions at Balkrishna Industries Limited as Head of Mining Tyres for India and spent a decade at Apollo Tyres Ltd as Business Head for Off-Highway Tyres.

With the company working to expand its footprint in the agricultural, industrial and OTR segments worldwide, Vyas’s strategic leadership and commercial insight are expected to support ATF Tyres in delivering performance-driven solutions across multiple regions.

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