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American Performance Polymers recently faced foreclosure after struggling to compete with cheaper imports of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Asia. Despite receiving $35 million in federal aid to expand production of medical gloves, the company laid off most of its 180 employees in late 2022. The company’s CEO, Rich Renehan, cited the inability to compete with lower-priced imports as a significant factor in the company’s financial difficulties.

For the eighth consecutive year, API Tire has partnered with HopeKids to host a magical holiday party for approximately 200 people. The event transformed the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel into a holiday wonderland, complete with a Ferris wheel, festive slides, and interactive holiday activities.

The Timken Company has announced significant layoffs at its Springfield, Missouri plant, a move that will affect nearly 100 employees. This decision comes as part of Timken’s broader strategy to streamline operations and adjust to changing market demands. The Springfield plant, which has been a key player in the local economy, will see a reduction of about 40% of its workforce, with layoffs beginning in March 2025 and continuing through September.

Continental is presenting the “Emotional Cockpit” for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from January 7 to 10, 2025, in Las Vegas, USA. The concept merges multiple vehicle display solutions to form an integrated unit: aesthetically innovative, function-driven and individually customizable. A central element is a 1.30-meter-long, four-centimeter-high E Ink Prism display that spans the entire width of the dashboard.

The acquisition of Foster Corporation enhances GEON’s participation in the high-value medical market. Currently, GEON offers rigid and flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) solutions, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) solutions, and contract manufacturing services to healthcare customers. Its Clinton, Tennessee, facility is ISO 13485:2016 certified, which is the medical industry’s international standard for the manufacture of medical devices. Foster Corporation, which is also ISO 13485:2016 certified, offers formulation, development and production of custom medical compounds, implantable materials, engineered polymers, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers and polymer enhancements. It also offers a range of services in clean and white room manufacturing facilities.

MAXAM Tire announced its continued partnership as the title sponsor for the 2025 National Tractor Pulling Championships held August 14-16th, 2025. This renewed commitment underscores MAXAM’s dedication to supporting the farming and tractor-pulling communities with a spirit of excellence, resilience, and high performance.

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport EV tires for use as original equipment on the new Stelato S9, an electric vehicle (EV) developed jointly by leading Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer HUAWEI and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group) that was launched in China in August 2024. The Stelato S9 is being equipped with 245/45R20 103V size tires.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that, together with the Surat Thani branch of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), it held a seminar event in December 2024 to help Thai natural rubber farmers improve the quality and productivity of their natural rubber.
*A state enterprise under the jurisdiction of Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced the launch of its new premium SUV tire, the ADVAN V61, which will be sold as a new category product under its global flagship tire brand ADVAN. The new product, which primarily targets the rapidly growing midsize to large premium SUV market, will be available successively in markets around the world, excluding North America, from February 2025. Yokohama Rubber plans to offer 17 sizes of the ADVAN V61 ranging from 17 to 22 inches, including tires to be installed as original equipment (OE) on new vehicles.

Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) equips the Volkswagen Tiguan with the new Ventus evo SUV. The high-quality summer tire is the original equipment for the third generation of compact SUV and is available in five different sizes from 18 to 20 inches, all of which are precisely matched to the respective model. While the focus during the development of the 18-inch and 19-inch variants was primarily on excellent driving comfort, the top-of-the-range 20-inch variant is characterized by a particularly sporty design. All tires bear the ‘+’ symbol for Volkswagen’s original equipment on the sidewall and will also be available from replacement dealers.