A proposed bill in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has ignited fierce opposition from the country’s tyre retreading sector, which sees the legislation as an ill-conceived and uninformed attack on an industry that plays a crucial role in the economy and sustainability efforts. The bill seeks to ban the use of retread tyres on buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways, a move that the industry argues is both impractical and detrimental.

Brazil is the world’s second-largest retread market, following only the United States. This achievement has been attributed to the reliability and quality of work carried out by retreaders, which has earned the market’s trust.

In September 2024, a draft bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to exercise a ban on the use of retread tyres in buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways. The Brazilian Association of Tyre Retreading (ABR) lashed out at the proposed draft, labelling it as ‘misguided and uninformed’.

Subsequently, ABR President and Federal Senator of Mato Grosso, Margareth Buzetti, told Tyre Trends, “The proposed bill focuses on retread tyres rather than broader factors such as overloading, poor road conditions or inadequate maintenance practices due to sheer misinformation on the part of the person who proposed the project. It is a simplistic and populist proposal that promises to increase road safety by fighting the wrong enemy. Tyres retreaded in Brazil undergo extremely rigorous inspections to ensure that they reach the transport companies safely and reliably.”

“We, as retreaders, meet Inmetro standards that define the technical requirements for tyre retreading, following the standards of excellence practiced in other countries. We are talking about large companies that have strict quality standards. We are in no way inferior to new tyres in terms of safety,” she added.

According to Buzetti, no reputable company would compromise on tyre safety as doing so could lead to financial losses from accidents and endanger lives. She also pointed out that the sector’s ability to generate approximately 300,000 direct and indirect jobs is a testament to the high quality of retreaded products.

Commenting on how the proposed bill might influence public perception about the sustainable practice, she noted, “The way it was proposed is terrible because it gives people the impression that retread tyres in Brazil are of poor quality and are responsible for road accidents. This is absurd misinformation. However, I do not see this issue as something that concerns the general population. Transport companies, which are the largest users of retread tyres, are aware of the reality.”

“Entities linked to both the reform and transportation sectors sent dozens of letters to the Chamber of Deputies against the proposed bill. We will continue this pressure in 2025,” she added.

The association plans to seek out the rapporteur and the author of the bill so that they understand the seriousness of the work carried out by the sector. “The right thing to do would be for the congressman to withdraw the bill he presented and file another one that focuses on combating illegally-made reforms or the poor-quality tyres that are imported from Asia without any control whatsoever. Then they will have our support. Otherwise, we will seek out partner congressmen to wage a real battle within the Chamber against the advancement of this absurd proposal,” contended Buzetti.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL

Buzetti noted that if the proposed bill was implemented, then the implications would be ‘catastrophic’. “If the bill were to become law, the long-term impact on Brazil’s tyre industry would be devastating. Companies are already struggling with the rising cost of raw materials due to increase in the Dollar-Brazilian Real exchange rates. Banning tyre retreading would further cripple the sector, leading to significant financial and operational challenges,” she said.

Currently, tyre retreading saves Brazil BRL 7 billion in transportation costs. If the proposed bill becomes law, which the ABR believes is unlikely and will actively oppose, it would effectively force transportation companies to buy only new tyres overnight, causing a massive rise in costs.

Alluding to the potential impact of this legislation on Brazil’s carbon neutrality and sustainability goals, Buzetti emphasised, “The sector was recently recognised by the Ministry of the Environment as an important asset in the circular economy. This was a milestone that we achieved at great cost, and the government is finally beginning to see our importance for environmental sustainability. I believe that 2025 will be the year in which we will be able to make even more progress on this issue. We cannot ignore the importance for the environment of a sector that retreads 14 million tyres per year.”

While the association can furnish data demonstrating the safety and reliability of Inmerto-certified retread tyres to battle the proposed bill, Buzetti, attacking the project makers, said, “Can the deputy who created the project present data that guarantees that the lack of safety on the roads is caused by retread tyres?”

Commenting on the bill’s impact on small and micro enterprises if implemented, Buzetti said, “Tyre retreading supports 300,000 jobs in Brazil today. It is a well-established market. Banning retreading would be like taking food off the table for thousands of Brazilians who rely on this sector.”

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

According to Buzetti, the legislative year ended with this bill being presented to the Chamber of Deputies’ Transport and Roads Committee and it did not receive any amendments within the statutory deadline. Now, in February, discussions on the proposal can begin and she highly doubts that it will move forward. As a senator, she will not participate in the votes in the Chamber but will personally go to the committee to talk to all the deputies to demonstrate the quality of tyre retreading in Brazil.

Speaking on the steps that the government should take to address any lingering safety concerns and prevent future proposals like this, in case the bill was withdrawn, Buzetti said, “Inspection of poor-quality tyres entering the country and incentives for tyre retreaders to continue operating within the law is a necessary step. I presented a bill that is currently pending in the Chamber of Deputies that provides tax exemption for tyre retreading companies, as a way of attracting them to formality.”

She also noted, “Instead of banning retread tyres, we could have greater oversight of imported tyres that enter Brazil illegally. We are talking about tyres that are so bad that they don’t even need to be refurbished. These should be a priority for parliamentarians. And, of course, improving road conditions and oversight of the rules that must be followed by transport companies (such as not exceeding the maximum load) are also important steps to increase road safety.”

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Titan International has elevated Kendra Mann to the role of Director of Aftermarket Sales for the Titan and Goodyear agricultural tyre lines. In this capacity, she becomes a key member of Paul Hawkins’ North American aftermarket leadership team, where she will oversee strategic direction and operational execution within the aftermarket channel. This appointment underscores Titan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its agricultural aftermarket presence as the company continues to focus on growth and dealer alignment across North America.

With over two decades in the tyre industry, Mann brings extensive expertise to her new position, including the last eight years spent at Titan. Her previous roles there ranged from OEM Account Manager to Field Sales Manager overseeing a multi-state territory, where she drove aftermarket expansion. Prior to joining Titan, she spent 15 years at GCR Tires and Service managing commercial tyre operations. In her latest capacity, she will work closely with field sales, product management and dealer networks to ensure seamless coordination across the Titan and Goodyear agricultural portfolios.

Looking ahead, customers can expect a sharper focus on aligning field support with sales and marketing strategies, reinforcing the dealer partnerships that form the backbone of daily service. Through this leadership change, Titan aims to enhance responsiveness and deliver a more cohesive experience across the agricultural aftermarket channel.

Paul Hawkins, SVP of Aftermarket Sales, said, “Kendra has earned this. She understands the business, she understands the customer and she knows how to move the needle for our aftermarket business. This is the right person in the right role at the right time for Titan agriculture.”

Scott Sloan, Global Ag/LSW Product Manager, said, "Kendra has built valuable relationships in the field. She knows how dealers operate and what customers need on the ground. That perspective is going to make a real difference in how we execute across the ag aftermarket."

Kim Boccardi, VP of Marketing, said, "Kendra is the kind of person who makes everyone around her better. She's put in the work, she knows the industry, and watching her step into this role is exactly what you hope to see. Titan is better with her joining our leadership team."

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Linglong Tire has announced a leadership transition, with Zhou Lingkun appointed as President and CEO as of 16 March 2026. Assuming full operational command, his primary objective is to refine the company’s corporate governance structure. Meanwhile, former President Wang Feng, whose family retains controlling shares, continues as Chairman of the board.

A 1974-born graduate of Zhejiang University, Lingkun brings a robust background from global consulting and IT firms, including Arthur Andersen, IBM and Hewlett-Packard. His most recent role was President of the Enterprise Technology and Performance Business Group at Deloitte China, where he also served as a board member.

This strategic appointment separates operational leadership from familial shareholding, positioning Lingkun to steer daily management while leveraging his extensive international expertise to drive organisational efficiency.

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KraussMaffei Group is set to implement a leadership transition at its US subsidiary, KraussMaffei Corporation (KMC). Brett Greenhalgh, President of KMC, will retire at the end of May 2026, marking the conclusion of his tenure. His departure will also see him step away from the industry and leave United States for a three-year period, during which he and his wife will devote themselves to a church mission project of deep personal significance.

Over the past two years, Greenhalgh has served as a pivotal leader for KraussMaffei, providing steady direction for the US organisation. His foresight in preparing for the future is evident in his deliberate cultivation of an internal successor, John Fini, ensuring a seamless transition grounded in business continuity and institutional knowledge. Taking the helm on 1 June 2026, Fini brings a customer-first philosophy forged through extensive hands-on operational experience. Currently serving as Vice President of Digital Solutions and Service North America, he has been a member of the KraussMaffei Corporation leadership team since 2022.

Fini’s background includes leading large, multidisciplinary teams, strengthening service and aftermarket capabilities and driving gains in operational performance, employee engagement and financial results. Prior to joining KraussMaffei, he held roles at Rehrig Pacific Company, a California-based family-owned plastics manufacturer and longtime KraussMaffei customer, where he improved operations across multiple manufacturing sites. A New York native, Fini holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Brett Greenhalgh

Greenhalgh said, "I am grateful for my time at KraussMaffei and for the collaboration with such a dedicated team in the US and internationally. Stepping back and giving my life a new direction has not been an easy decision. But I look forward to serving our church community together with my wife Janice. As a teenager, I participated in a similar project that profoundly shaped my life and values. Now I want to give others the same opportunity to experience something similar. The next three years abroad will be an exciting and rewarding time for both of us."

Alex Li, CEO, KraussMaffei Group, said, “We thank Brett for his exceptional dedication and strategic foresight. Thanks to the early identification of John Fini as an internal successor, we can ensure seamless continuity in serving our customers with the reliability and quality they expect. The strong collaboration between our US and European teams has been instrumental in advancing KMC’s success, and this partnership will remain a key pillar of our future development. While we regret Brett`s decision to step down, we fully respect and support his choice to pursue a personal mission close to his heart. We wish Brett and his wife all the very best for the years ahead.”

Fini said, “KraussMaffei’s success has always been driven by its people, its technology and its customers. I’m honoured to lead this organisation and build on the strong foundation our teams have created together. I would like to thank Brett Greenhalgh for the coaching, guidance and support as part of a thoughtful, long-term leadership transition designed to ensure continuity and sustained growth.”

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LAUGFS Corporation (Rubber) Ltd, a prominent Sri Lankan manufacturer and exporter of high-quality industrial solid tyres, has announced a significant leadership transition, naming Chinthaka Wegapitiya to the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Wegapitiya’s ascent to this top executive position follows a tenure within the company where he previously held the responsibilities of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. His background is rooted in deep expertise across both operational management and long-term strategic planning, providing a strong foundation for his new mandate.

In his current capacity, Wegapitiya is entrusted with the comprehensive leadership of the organisation’s strategic direction, tasked with steering the company towards an expanded global presence while working to increase its competitive market share. His purview encompasses the oversight of sophisticated, high-tech manufacturing operations, with a particular focus on the production of premium solid tyres.

Beyond operations, he is responsible for directing international marketing initiatives and strengthening the company’s brand identity in competitive global markets. Innovation also falls under his leadership, driving research and development efforts to create advanced engineering solutions and tailor products to precise customer specifications, all while championing sustainability initiatives within the global rubber export industry.

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