The National Tyre Distributors Association has announced the finalists for the Tyre Industry Awards 2026. The winners will be revealed at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 15 October. Sponsored by Maritime Cargo Services, the ceremony will recognise achievements spanning technical skills, apprenticeships, retail, manufacturing, sustainability and supply-chain operations.

Recognition across the tyre trade

The 2026 shortlist covers seven award categories and includes individual technicians alongside national, regional and independent tyre businesses.

The categories place workforce development alongside commercial performance. This reflects the industry’s continued focus on technician competence, recruitment and service standards.

Tyre News has also reported on the growth of NTDA-certified electric vehicle tyre training and the return of the Under Pressure technician competition.

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Tyre Industry Awards 2026 finalists

Licensed Tyre Technician of the Year

• Ventsislav Genadiev, Protyre Portsmouth Depot
• Eddie Dootson, T & C Site Services
• Kyle Pye, Halfords Commercial Fleet Services
• Robbie Hook, Halfords Commercial Fleet Services
• Sam Wood, Halfords Commercial Fleet Services

Tyre Apprentice of the Year

• Holly Breen-Hall, Protyre Rugby
• Nasratullah Noori, Protyre Autocare Slough
• Marcus Woodhead, Soltyre Ltd, JWJ Bathgate
• Leo Rainey, Kwik Fit Northern Ireland, Yorkgate

Tyre Manufacturer of the Year

• Hankook Tyre UK
• Pirelli Tyres Ltd
• Continental Tyre Group Ltd
• Prometeon

Best Tyre Environment and Sustainability Initiative

• Pirelli Tyres Ltd
• Autogem Invicta Ltd
• Continental Tyre Group Ltd
• Halfords Commercial Fleet Services

Commercial and Specialist Tyre Award

• Protyre Autocare
• T & C Site Services
• Kerr’s Tyres & Auto
• Halfords Commercial Fleet Services

Best Supply Chain Initiative

• Kirkby Tyres
• Autogem Invicta Ltd
• Auto4
• Harvies Tyres Ltd
• Rema Tip Top Automotive UK Ltd
• Autotech Group Ltd

Tyre Retailer of the Year

• Protyre Autocare
• HiQ Tyres & Autocare
• Kerr’s Tyres & Auto
• Merityre Specialists Ltd

Skills and sustainability share the spotlight

The individual categories give tyre technicians and apprentices similar prominence to manufacturers, retailers and larger service providers.

Five candidates have reached the Licensed Tyre Technician of the Year final, including three representatives from Halfords Commercial Fleet Services. Four candidates will compete for the apprentice award, representing Protyre, Soltyre and Kwik Fit Northern Ireland.

The environmental category also reflects the growing importance of resource efficiency, emissions reduction and responsible tyre management. Pirelli, Autogem Invicta, Continental and Halfords Commercial Fleet Services have all reached the final.

Supply-chain performance remains another key theme. Six companies have been shortlisted for initiatives supporting tyre distribution, servicing and wider aftermarket operations.

Several shortlisted businesses also featured among the winners of the 2025 Tyre Industry Awards, including Kirkby Tyres and Autogem Invicta.

Independent judging begins

All finalist entries have now been passed to an independent judging panel. The NTDA says the judges are professionals who work closely with the tyre industry but remain impartial during the assessment process.

The association said the awards celebrate people and organisations that have contributed to the industry in an outstanding way.

The winners will be announced at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Thursday 15 October 2026.

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Tagged with: NTDA, Tyre Industry Awards 2026, tyre technicians, tyre apprenticeships, tyre retailers, tyre manufacturers, commercial tyre services, tyre supply chain, tyre sustainability, UK tyre industry

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