Galileo Wheel's Mike Connor Identifies Five Key Trends Shaping Forklift Tire Market

Vice President of Sales in Americas highlights sustainability shift and technological innovation in Modern Tire Dealer commentary

Michael Connor, vice president of sales in Americas at Galileo Wheel, has been featured in the August 2025 issue of Modern Tire Dealer magazine, where he outlined five critical trends reshaping the industrial tire market and their impact on forklift operations.

In his expert commentary on page 80 of the industry publication, Mike emphasizes how sustainability has evolved from marketing rhetoric to operational necessity. "Sustainability has moved from marketing talk to actual product development requirements, driving changes across multiple areas of the forklift market," he stated.

Five Transformative Trends in Forklift Tire Technology

Mike identified five key developments that are revolutionizing the industrial tire sector:

• Structural Design Innovation is leading the charge, with manufacturers moving away from conventional tire design principles. This shift focuses on incremental improvements through tread modifications, compound adjustments, and heat dissipation tweaks, with structural innovation beginning to emerge as a game-changer.

• Sustainability Mandates have become critical business drivers. Bio-based compounds using corn oil or soy oil are gaining traction after decades of limited adoption, offering greater sustainability impact by preventing premature tire failures in forklift operations.

• Load Capacity Optimization addresses the increasing demands of modern warehouse operations. As facilities require more sophisticated engineering solutions for handling massive loads, the challenge lies in designing materials and systems that maintain safe operation at highway speeds with heavy-duty constructions.

• Airless Tires For Forklifts and Telehandlers represent the fourth major trend. Connor notes that airless tire segments are experiencing innovation after years of limited options for forklift applications. This area aligns directly with Galileo Wheel's technological expertise, as the company continues to advance solutions that eliminate tire failures and reduce maintenance costs for warehouse operations.

• Autonomous Equipment Integration rounds out the five trends, with autonomous equipment requirements influencing tire requirements in ways that traditional manufacturers haven't fully recognized. As unmanned forklift operations become more prevalent, tire reliability and performance specifications are evolving to meet these specialized demands.

  
  

"We're seeing shifts in forklift and general industrial tire requirements that extend well beyond the incremental improvements we've grown accustomed to," Connor explained, highlighting how these trends are driving fundamental changes in product development and manufacturing approaches.

Industry Leadership Recognition

Mike's insights reflect Galileo Wheel's position at the forefront of industrial tire innovation. His commentary in Modern Tire Dealer underscores the company's deep understanding of evolving market dynamics and commitment to addressing the changing needs of forklift operations worldwide.

The feature in Modern Tire Dealer, a leading trade publication for tire dealers and industry professionals, positions Galileo Wheel as a thought leader in the rapidly evolving industrial tire market.

Modern Tire Dealer is the tire industry's premier trade publication, reaching thousands of tire dealers, fleet managers, and industry professionals across North America.