The 14th edition of TyreXpo Asia, held from 12 to 14 March 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, took the event to a new high. Organised by Informa Markets, the top-tier event boasted more than 250 participants and more than 6,000 industry experts from over 90 countries and established itself firmly as one of the prominent events for the world’s tyre, automotive repair and maintenance businesses.

CENTRAL POINT OF INDUSTRY INNOVATION AND NETWORKING

TyreXpo Asia 2025 was a vast platform to showcase the most recent developments in tyres, car repair equipment, tools, parts and accessories. The exhibition grounds had innovative start-ups, established companies and industry leaders who unveiled ground-breaking technologies transforming the world tyre business. Visitors had the opportunity to experience these innovations firsthand, see the latest trends and stay ahead in a competitive business.

The significance of the event was driven by its host city’s prime position in Southeast Asia’s auto cluster leader Singapore. World-class infrastructure and access ensured that world-class international buyers, together with regional players, found the platform the ideal one-stop shop. The event was a resounding success at its last staging with near 5,000 executives from 91 countries represented, and it was addressing every aspect of the tyre, vehicle and related industries. This year, the organisers saw an even larger response, which shows how more and more important the Asia-Pacific region is to the global tyre market.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS AND PARTICIPATING BRANDS

The gigantic 15,000 square metre exhibition space hosted over 500 international tyre firms, including renowned entities such as Alves Bandeira, American Pacific Industries, Davanti, Deestone, Evergreen, Guizhou Tyre Co. Ltd., Hubei Aulice Tyre Co. Ltd., JGL Worldwide, LingLong Tire, Max Rubber, Momo Tires, Nexen Corp, Ozka, Petlas, Prinx Chengshan, Stamford Tyres, Tercelo, Transamerica, Roadone, Armour, Yongsheng, Wholesale Tire Distributors, ZC Rubber and Zodo Tire.

These exhibitors presented a great variety of products, ranging from passenger car radial tyres to truck, bus and off-the-road tyres, tyre accessories and maintenance tools. The event provided the participants with a complete overview of the latest products and services that supply the market, enabling business development and collaboration between manufacturers, distributors and inventors.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMMES AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING

In addition to the exhibition, TyreXpo Asia 2025 also featured a robust conference programme designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and industry information. The Tyre Technical Seminar delved into tyre technology advancements and industry innovations, closing the knowledge gap in downstream technicalities with dedicated tracks. The Tyre Business Forum also featured sessions on market trends, sustainability, digitalisation and mobility’s future.

These sessions provided attendees valuable information on the rapidly evolving tyre manufacturing and design developments. The experts discussed advances in artificial intelligence, 3D printing and new material sciences that were transforming tyre performance. The event was centred on enabling industry participants to gain the necessary knowledge to remain ahead of the change and take advantage of the new opportunities.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND BUSINESS MATCHING

TyreXpo Asia 2025 placed a major emphasis on forging genuine connections in the global tyre industry. Networking sessions were a part of the event that helped bring together distributors, manufacturers, retailers and innovators, allowing them to exchange knowledge and form strategic partnerships. A business matching platform powered by AI was available through web and mobile app, simplifying meetings and maximising business interaction before and during the show.

The Hosted Buyer Programme was also an element, welcoming 120 international hosted buyers, from fleet managers to purchasing directors, wholesalers and distributors, to meet with key decision-makers. The programme supported buyers by pre-paying travel expenses, ensuring a hassle-free and affordable experience that fostered business growth and collaboration.

COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

TyreXpo Asia 2025 demonstrated its dedication to corporate social responsibility with activities, such as the Flip Tyre Challenge, for the benefit of the Singapore Children’s Society. The activity was not only to highlight endurance and strength but also to build community. For every SGD10 collected per tyre flip, the people involved were supporting the Singapore Children’s Society directly, further making the event about doing good beyond the industry.

Sustainability was a recurring theme throughout the event, with recycling, equipment and retreading being addressed. The recycling sector witnessed positive interest, with Eldan Recycling and Gradeall experiencing high interest in their products, reflecting the growing demand for recycling and waste management in the region. With the sector under pressure to be more sustainable, TyreXpo Asia 2025 aimed to provide a comprehensive platform for addressing these pressing issues.

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has elevated Rachel Tibor to the role of Chief Marketing Officer for its wholesale division. She now joins the company’s executive team and will oversee the insight-driven go-to-market strategy, reporting directly to President and CEO Don Byrd.

Tibor originally joined TBC in 2023 as Group Vice President of Wholesale Marketing, where she was responsible for developing the wholesale strategy, including marketing leadership, brand positioning and customer engagement. Her career spans more than two decades, with prior leadership roles in marketing and brand strategy at Office Depot and Procter & Gamble.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. The promotion reinforces TBC’s focus on data-led marketing as it continues to expand its wholesale and franchise tyre operations across North America.

Byrd said, “Rachel has created deep alignment across multiple disciplines and provided data-driven approaches that deliver a best-in-class customer experience. As Chief Marketing Officer, Rachel will continue to provide rigor and focused strategies that will drive TBC forward.”

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Continental has announced a leadership transition at its supervisory board level, with Sabrina Soussan, 56, elected as the new chair. The unanimous decision took place during the board’s constituent meeting, held immediately after the company’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. Soussan, who had just been elected as a shareholder representative, succeeds Wolfgang Reitzle, who departed as planned following more than 16 years of service on the board.

A German-French top executive, Soussan brings over 25 years of automotive and transport sector experience to Continental, positioning her to guide the firm’s strategic realignment. Her career includes serving as CEO of Siemens Mobility and, most recently, as CEO and chair of France’s SUEZ Group. She previously held senior roles at Continental itself and was appointed to the supervisory board by a local court in September 2025. Soussan also serves on Henkel’s Shareholders’ Committee and is standing for election to Stadler Rail’s board of directors.

At the same constituent meeting, the supervisory board extended the executive board appointment of Chief Executive Officer Christian Kötz by three years, securing his tenure until March 2030. The early renewal reflects strong confidence in his leadership, particularly his success in strengthening Continental’s tyre business amid challenging market conditions and his role in reshaping the company as a focused tire manufacturer.

Kötz, who has been with Continental’s tyre division since 1996, joined the executive board in 2019 and has led key areas including passenger-tyre replacement and commercial-vehicle tyre units, as well as global research and development for passenger-car tyres. He has served as Continental’s chief executive since 1 January 2026.

Soussan said, “Being elected as chair of the Supervisory Board fills me with joy and respect. I would like to thank the shareholders and the Supervisory Board for placing their trust in me. Continental is strongly positioned as a focused tyre manufacturer. I look forward to paving the way for a successful future together with the Supervisory Board and Executive Board.”

Kötz said, “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for placing its trust in me. We have proven in recent years that we have the right ingredients for success: top technology in our products, state-of-the-art manufacturing, efficient distribution and a strong brand, supported by a strong team. We will continue to drive forward our success strategy and make Continental even more resilient.”

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CEAT Limited plans to invest INR 13-14 billion in fiscal 2027 to expand capacity and support growth, as the tyre maker rides strong momentum from a record FY26 while preparing for a near-term squeeze from raw material inflation.

The capital expenditure programme—up roughly 25 percent from the previous year—comes as capacity utilisation remains elevated at 85–90 percent across categories, necessitating incremental investments to meet demand.

Chief Executive Arnab Banerjee said the company would remain “careful” in the first quarter amid volatile input costs and macro uncertainty, before scaling up spending as conditions stabilise.

Additional investments are also being channelled into integrating the CAMSO off-highway tyre business, with about USD 30 million earmarked for upstream capabilities such as compound mixing and calendering. The integration is expected to be completed by the end of FY27, unlocking margin benefits from FY28.

Record year underpins expansion

The investment push follows a strong FY26 in which CEAT delivered double-digit growth across segments.

Standalone revenue rose 15.5 percent for the full year, while fourth-quarter revenue grew 18.2 percent, crossing INR 150 billion in annual revenue for the first time.

Growth was driven by a combination of volume expansion and pricing, aided by GST rationalisation that improved affordability and boosted demand across replacement and OEM channels.

Replacement demand remained robust, particularly in two-wheelers, while OEM growth was led by passenger vehicles and farm equipment. International operations also rebounded strongly, with high growth in Europe and the U.S.

Profitability milestones

CEAT crossed a key profitability threshold, with EBITDA exceeding INR 20 billion for the first time and margins holding at 13.4 percent for the full year.

Net profit stood at INR 8.12 billion, supported by operating leverage, cost discipline and an improved product mix.

Finance chief Kumar Subbiah said the company’s balance sheet remains “strong enough to provide growth capital”, with debt levels stable at around INR 30 billion  and leverage metrics improving.

Global expansion and premium focus

CEAT is deepening its international footprint, setting up local entities in Germany, the UK, France and Poland to strengthen distribution and customer engagement.

Exports now account for over one-fifth of standalone revenue, rising further when including CAMSO, as the company expands in higher-margin markets.

The tyre maker is also focusing on premiumisation, with increased sales of larger passenger vehicle tyres and high-performance two-wheeler tyres, alongside a growing presence in electric vehicle segments.

Digital and EV strategy

The company is investing in digital infrastructure, including a centralised data lake and AI-led analytics capabilities, aimed at improving operational efficiency and decision-making.

In electric mobility, CEAT holds about 29 percent share in passenger EV OEM tyres and 18% in electric two-wheelers, positioning itself to benefit from the sector’s growth.

Cost headwinds loom

Despite strong fundamentals, CEAT faces mounting cost pressures.

Raw material costs—linked to crude oil and natural rubber—are expected to rise sharply, with management guiding for a 15 percent increase in the first quarter of FY27.

To mitigate the impact, the company is implementing price increases of up to 10 percent in the replacement market, though pass-through in OEM and international segments will occur with a lag.

Executives cautioned that demand may moderate as higher prices take effect, particularly in price-sensitive categories such as commercial vehicles.

Outlook

CEAT expects demand to remain broadly supportive, underpinned by rural cash flows, replacement cycles and ongoing economic activity, though growth is likely to moderate from FY26 levels.

“Structural demand drivers remain in place,” Banerjee said, adding that the company is positioned to navigate near-term volatility while sustaining long-term growth.

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has elevated Greg Ortega to the role of Chief Purchasing Officer. The promotion places Ortega on the company’s executive team, where he will be responsible for global purchasing strategies and supplier relationships, reporting directly to President and CEO Don Byrd.

With a career at TBC spanning more than three decades beginning in 1996, Ortega brings over 30 years of experience in purchasing, merchandising, product marketing and sales. He most recently served as Group Vice President, overseeing consumer and commercial tyre procurement strategies while strengthening key supplier partnerships. His rise through progressive leadership roles underscores his long-standing impact on the organisation.

Ortega holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino, as well as advanced degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. He also earned two professional certifications from the Institute for Supply Management: Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity and Certified Professional in Supply Management.

Byrd said, “Greg’s tenure at TBC has given him in-depth knowledge of our business and industry, and in his new role, he will continue to strengthen our company by leading our integrated, enterprise-wide approach to purchasing. Greg has served a critical role in shaping key relationships to support our competitive advantage and positioned us for long-term growth.”

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