Titan still open to Goodyear Amiens Nord deal

This week’s agreement between Goodyear Dunlop Tires France and the CGT union over the tyre maker’s Amiens Nord factory removes the major obstacle that blocked Titan International’s acquisition of the Amiens Nord agricultural tyre business. After hearing that the two parties have buried the hatchet, Titan CEO and chairman Maurice Taylor indicated he’s once again prepared to do business.

Speaking with French radio station RTL on 23 January, Taylor responded to questioning on the likelihood of a Titan offer by saying “if Goodyear contacts us about doing what we originally tried to do, and if we can work that out, then yes.”

Taylor learned of the Goodyear/CGT agreement from France’s Minister of Industrial Renewal on 22 January. Almost a year has passed since the controversial exchange of correspondence between the two men, and it seems the Titan boss is feeling much more cordial towards Arnaud Montebourg these days. “We have talked. And, you know, I think he understands all the sides,” Taylor told RTL. “I think he’s trying to do the best he can so that, you know, we look forward to working it out. We can all sit down and have a nice glass of French wine.”

Montebourg says he’s open to this invitation for a tipple, but first he want to work on setting up a new plant with Titan and saving 330 – or more – jobs.