Goodyear Says Plants Pass Quality Audits

(Akron/Tire Review) Trying to counter striking worker questions about the quality of tyres being made by temporary workers at Goodyear tyre plants, the tyremaker said that independent quality audits of three of its tyre plants found the company was in 100 per cent compliance with its quality standards. Goodyear said that NSF Industrial Strategic Registrations audits at its Buffalo, Danville, Va., and Fayetteville, N.C. plants – all being struck by the United Steelworkers – found Goodyear’s systems in complete compliance to international quality systems standards.

“As we have always said, Goodyear will never compromise quality,” said Joe Gingo, Goodyear’s chief quality officer. “We fully expected to meet the international quality standard as usual, and we are pleased with – though not surprised by – the result. The bottom line is that the public can be confident in the quality of Goodyear tyres.”

The Steelworkers have run a radio spot in some markets questioning the quality of Goodyear tires produced by recently hired replacement workers and plant management. In addition, the USW posted a union-produced video commercial on YouTube.com also questioning Goodyear tyre quality. Both compare Goodyear’s current production to tires that allegedly failed, sparking the Ford-Firestone recall in 2000.