Re-organisation For Goodyear Dunlop Europe

Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe has announced the appointment of three Group managing directors for country operations in France, Germany and the UK. Sylvain Valensi is the new Group MD – French Operations. He is currently on special assignment, reporting to President and COO Robert J.

Keegan. Christian Billaud remains in charge of the Goodyear business and Claude Cham continues to head up the Dunlop operation. Cham will also continue as Vice Chairman of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe.

For Germany, Gerd Grünenwald, Vice President Sales & Marketing European Union, is the new Group MD. Reporting to him are Dr. Rainer Schieben (Goodyear), Hans-Jürgen Wagner (Dunlop) and Bernd Hoffmann (Fulda).

Marco Molinari, Vice President Global Marketing Projects, returns to the UK as Group MD. The current MD of Goodyear GB, Steve MacDonald, has decided to retire after 27 years’ service with Goodyear and Marco Molinari will take charge of this area. Bill Yates will continue to look after Dunlop operations.

Speaking of the three new appointments, Mike Roney, President of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe, said: “As members of our European Executive Committee, Sylvain, Marco and Gerd will make sure that our strategic directions are executed quickly in these three key markets. Each of the three has extensive sales and marketing experience, having headed up European sales & Marketing at one point in their career. “With this new structure in place, we will be able to build on the achievements of the first two years of the joint venture.

” Roney concluded: “Brand separation remains key to our success. In each of the markets, we will continue to have strong specific teams in place for each of the main brands.” .