With August being Women’s Month, there is no better time to pay tribute to the industry’s leading ladies. Meet Bernie Laing, who went from selling batteries out of the boot of her car to running one of Kwazulu-Natal’s most successful fitment centres, Supa Quick Kloof.

Who says the tyre business is strictly reserved for men? Bernie took up a mammoth challenge to take over from her predecessor, a well-respected figure in retail. The gamble she took paid off handsomely. Her story on page 2. Ever wondered how the tyre of the future will look? Our feature story explores some of the leading trends in tyre technology, and what is driving them. One of the most exciting developments is the airless tyre, which already is gracing vehicles in Europe, in their prototype form.

Although they’ve been around for some time, runflat tyres are making significant inroads with vehicle manufacturers, with a greater number now fitting them as original equipment to their vehicles. But are they suitable for the South African market? What do you think? Share your thoughts with us in this issue’s Interactive Poll on page 9.

Congratulations to Lauren Lawrence and Blane Wium, our winners of the Dunlop Motorsport Day Competition, who each answered our competition question correctly and win an exciting family day of Motorsport, courtesy of Dunlop. Well done, and enjoy!

Contents

Interview

Mentored by Champions, Driven by Determination
Bernie Laing on why women can succeed in a man’s industry … 2

Feature

Tyre Technology, where is it headed? … 6

Interactive Poll/Results

• Competition Winners
• Take part in our new poll: What are your thoughts on run-flat tyres? … 9

TEPA Talk

Beyond the Workshop: Why TEPA matters in the new South Africa … 10

Local News

• TEPA Calls on tyre dealers to step up compliance on waste tyre management … 12
• The Bandag Challenge … 13
• Automechanika Johannesburg forges vital connections at Zimbabwe and Zambia Roadshows … 14

World News – Europe

• Ashes of risotto rice husk in tyres: Continental focuses on more sustainable fillers … 16
• Pirelli P Zero is reborn after 40 years … 17
• TMG’s mobile commercial tyre fitment is reaching new heights in efficiency and safety … 18
• Nexen Tire introduces N’FERA Supreme EV Root … 19
• Tyre safety set to improve through latest technology … 20

World News – Asia

• Bridgestone sells Shenyang, China TBR plant to Sailun for $37 Million … 21
• Apollo Tyres to open dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility … 22
• Yokohama acquires Romanian plant for OHT production … 23

World News – USA

• Goodyear nets $254 Million in Q2 2025 … 24
• TIA advocates for tyre-derived aggregate in infrastructure projects … 25

World News – Global

• Scientists call for standardisation of tyre wear emissions methodologies … 26