Following the 2025 General Assembly, Law Hieling has been elected to the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) Executive Committee to represent the Manufacturer category. His 27-year international career at Michelin, encompassing roles in finance, commercial sales, distribution and his current leadership in natural rubber purchasing, provides a profound, ground-level understanding of the global tyre industry.

This extensive background has given him a clear appreciation for the intricate balance between commercial needs and ecological responsibility. He is committed to leveraging this perspective to help drive the collaborative, transparent and equitable solutions that are essential for a genuinely sustainable natural rubber value chain, benefiting both people and the planet.

Hieling said, “I look forward to contributing to the work of the Executive Committee in advancing responsible practices across the natural rubber sector.”

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Tyre Runner has added Tyres Life to its marketplace network, expanding its wholesale offering for independent tyre retailers.

The partnership brings one of the UK’s fastest-growing tyre wholesalers onto Tyre Runner’s platform, which is designed to connect retailers with suppliers while allowing retailers to retain control over pricing and purchasing decisions.

Tyre Runner said the move comes as independent retailers face continued margin pressure and are seeking greater flexibility in how they source tyres. The company’s marketplace enables wholesale ordering from multiple suppliers through a single platform.

Tyres Life has established nationwide coverage from three warehouse locations and holds more than 100,000 tyres in stock. The company is the exclusive UK distributor of Lassa, Tomket and Waterfall, and also supplies brands including Pirelli, Continental, Goodyear and Michelin.

Founded in 2019 by Bryan MacMillan, a former Kwik Fit software engineer, Tyre Runner has developed from a tyre sales marketplace into a broader software platform focused on tyre health awareness, supply chain connectivity and digital tools for the tyre trade.

Bryan MacMillan, chief executive of Tyre Runner, said: “We’re delighted to add Tyres Life to our growing list of wholesale partners. This partnership exemplifies how our sales platform can connect high-quality wholesalers with independent retailers, helping both grow stronger together.

“The tyre market remains digitally immature, and to compete in an increasingly omnichannel world, online is just one part of the puzzle. Our mission has always been to empower the trade, not compete against it. That’s why we are focused on bringing a range of tools to market to help retailers compete better, not just online, but offline as well.”

Tommie Owens, commercial director at Tyres Life, said: “Tyre Runner opens reach like never before. Bryan and his team have a very clear vision for what the future of tyre retail will look like, and we’re excited to see Tyres Life’s products access even more markets efficiently.”

Tyre Runner said the addition of Tyres Life strengthens its marketplace model, which aims to streamline wholesale access while preserving retailer margins. The company added that the partnership aligns both businesses around shared priorities of efficiency, profitability and safety across the tyre supply chain.

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CarbonX has appointed Rohan Patel to its Advisory Board, gaining a distinguished strategist at a crucial phase of the company’s growth in sustainable battery materials. His profound understanding of regulatory frameworks and supply-chain strategy will directly support CarbonX’s collaborations with major cell manufacturers and its expansion of local, scalable production.

Patel’s career spans top-tier leadership in industry and government. He previously served as Vice President of global public policy and business development at Tesla, where he was part of the executive leadership team. Prior to his work in the private sector, he was a special assistant to the President and a senior advisor for climate and energy during the Obama Administration, shaping pivotal transportation and power sector policies while coordinating with state and local officials. His earlier contributions include roles at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and staff positions for political campaigns and elected officials.

Currently residing in Kensington, Maryland, Patel consults for global companies and nonprofits dedicated to decarbonisation. His appointment equips CarbonX with essential guidance for navigating complex policy landscapes and strengthening value chains in both the United States and European markets.

Rutger van Raalten, CEO, CarbonX, said, “With Patel’s extensive experience in global policy and deep understanding of Electric Vehicle and US regulatory landscapes, his guidance will be invaluable as we establish ourselves as a supplier of quality materials into US Giga factories and navigate US policy, battery-manufacturing regulations and emerging tariff frameworks.”

Patel said, “The team is strong, the technology is proven, US capacity is established and Tier-1 cell manufacturers in the US are taking notice. CarbonX’s disruptive supply-chain solution arrives at exactly the right time. Strengthening domestic supply chains for critical battery materials is essential, and I am pleased to support CarbonX’s mission to deliver local, scalable and sustainable solutions.”

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed David Cichocki to the dual role of Managing Director for the Americas and Chief Sales Officer for the Americas Consumer business, effective 19 January 2026. He will report directly to CEO and President Mark Stewart. In these positions, Cichocki is tasked with enhancing sales execution and driving profitable growth for the consumer division across the region. His broader regional leadership duties will focus on strategic governance, operational excellence and ensuring financial performance aligns with Goodyear's global objectives.

Cichocki joins Goodyear with over 30 years of commercial expertise from prominent consumer and industrial brands. He previously served as Senior Vice President of US Sales at Whirlpool Corporation, where he managed a multi-billion dollar North American consumer business spanning several key sales channels. Prior to that, he held numerous senior roles during a more than 20-year tenure with Kraft Foods and Nabisco.

Mark Stewart, CEO and President, said, "Throughout his career, David has built high-performing teams and delivered strong, sustainable results through customer-centric, brand-driven strategies. His experience leading large organisations through transformation – including simplifying portfolios, modernising go-to-market models and designing sales strategies for profitable growth – closely aligns with the changes we are making at Goodyear to drive long-term success for our company and our customers."

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Marangoni has reinforced its OTR division as of January 2026 with the key hires of Eduard Mundt and Dominik Hörmann. Mundt will apply his extensive technical knowledge and industry experience to serve and build partnerships with OTR customers across Southern Germany. Hörmann, an expert in both OTR and TBR segments with specialised retreading knowledge, will oversee operations in Northern, Central and Western Germany, supporting the core OTR business and segments of the TBR market.

This strategic expansion underscores the company’s commitment to deepening its local engagement with both dealers and end users. By enhancing direct customer relationships and fortifying its regional footprint, Marangoni aims to solidify and sustainably grow its standing in the market.

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