Founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is an American multinational tyre manufacturing company based in Akron, Ohio. It is one of the oldest, biggest and best-known tyremakers in the world. Goodyear makes tyres for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, racing cars, aeroplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery. Find all the news and analysis you need relating to Goodyear here.
The shorter working week implemented at Goodyear’s truck tyre factory in Luxembourg is being extended beyond the time originally specified. Between February and April production will only take place four days a week, commented a company spokesman.
The high regard in which Tyrexpo Asia is held by the Singapore government has been recognised by the announcement that the country’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Lee Yi Shyan, will officially open the exhibition as Guest of Honour at the Singapore Expo Centre on Tuesday, 24th March this year.
Ministerial endorsement of the show has been warmly welcomed by organisers ECI International, with managing director Paul Farrant commenting: “We are extremely grateful to the Minister for agreeing to be our principal Guest of Honour; his involvement will add to the sense of occasion at the opening event as well as signifying the economic importance the Singapore government attaches to the expo.”
Michelin’s Energy saver all-season tyre will go on sale in North America this summer following its unveiling at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Promising drivers in this market a synthesis of all Michelin’s skills and expertise in tyre engineering and design, the manufacturer states that the Energy Saver combines fuel savings with superior grip and safety, as well as long tread life and all-season performance. The tyre is being targeted at consumers with passenger car vehicles who drive less than 10,000 miles per year and appreciate the environmental benefit of the Energy Saver All-Season tyre, says Michelin.
Kwik-Fit has issued its round of January promotions with offers on premium label tyres. The promotion includes 30 per cent off four, and 15 per cent off two premium tyres, including brands such as Pirelli, Dunlop, Goodyear, Firestone, Continental and Bridgestone. Customers can get a further reduction, which equates to 20 per cent off two tyres, if they book online at kwik-fit.com.
President elect Barack Obama’s brand spanking new presidential limousine has been given the ‘Pimp My Ride’ treatment by the US Secret Service – and a set of tyres normally seen in regional haul trucking applications is but one of a basket of features to be found on the modified Cadillac following a masterful makeover by the White House appointed customisers.
Despite campaign promises to transform all White House vehicles into hybrids and have a million hybrid vehicles on US roads by 2015, the President-elect has had to concede to security concerns and stick with the petrol powered Cadillac. Or perhaps he was simply afraid Jeremy Clarkson would heckle him on the next series of Top Gear.
Wholesaler R H Claydon reports that the year of 2008 drew to a close after a prolonged period of factors which made the function of stocking and marketing land based tyres, agricultural and construction somewhat challenging. Like many others, the firm experienced worldwide commodity prices to the manufacturing industry continuing to rise, thus affecting the price of the finished product. Rising oil prices, which greatly affected all industries, alongside currency fluctuations prompted widespread re-evaluation of delivery and servicing to contain the high levels of road fuel costs and yet maintain the service. The wholesaler says that, “the most frustrating and punitive situation all experienced in 2008, was shortage of product, a factor especially prevalent, says RHC, in radial tractor tyres.
Beginning at Goodyear’s Birmingham head office, 20 fundraisers have set off on an epic journey to Timbuktu, distributing supplies to various charities across Africa, supported by the manufacturer. Over the next four weeks a team of drivers will be giving educational, medical and general supplies to schools, hospitals and charities. Their eight vehicles involved in the challenge will also be donated to good causes including Opera Africa, Sight Savers, Village by Village and Sabre Trust to help support their vital community work.
Goodyear are key supporters of this charity event, with all of the vehicles kitted out with the brand’s market-leading 4×4 tyres. With a range of often challenging terrain to tackle, Goodyear’s off road tyre, the Wrangler MT/R, will help the team on its travels. Using reinforced sidewall technology, an aggressive tread block design and shoulder blocks the company says the tyre will increase traction and mud dispersal in all conditions. Its sidewalls protect the tyre from punctures or damage, resulting in a tyre which really can cope with the demands of the most hard core environments.
Pelmar Engineering has appointed a new Managing Director for Pelmar LLC, USA; Mr. Armond Boyes. Mr. Boyes has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Akron and has worked for Goodyear for over 22 years where he eventually became the General Manager of Retreading, responsible for the complete operation in North America. Mr. Boyes intends to expand & strengthen Pelmar’s position in the Northern and Southern American markets, as well as use his extensive experience to promote retreading activities. “It is a great pleasure to be a part of the Pelmar team and I hope to be able to make a difference” he said.
Launched in 2004, the Dunlop Race Academy has processed over 17,000 hopefuls to produce five competition winners, each of them with no previous motorsport experience. The 2005 winner, Simon Shaw, has gone on to make a professional career in motorsport. In 2009 the Academy is set to return, albeit with some significant changes to its format. The competition will switch its focus from attracting talented drivers and newcomers into the sport to developing drivers who have already made a start in their racing career.
Goodyear’s self-sealing commercial tyre technology has earned a “Nifty Fifty Award” for best new products in 2008. In its December issue, the US based publication Heavy Duty Trucking magazine selected the Goodyear Unisteel G316 LHT tyre with DuraSeal Technology for its Nifty Fifty Award, one of 50 new products selected on its “usefulness to the truck operator in terms of innovation, serviceability and performance.” Previously, Goodyear’s G395 steer tyre and early applications of DuraSeal – on the G287 and G288 tyres – were honoured with the Nifty Fifty recognition.
Goodyear Dunlop has presented Pan-European development awards to two associates in the West Midlands. One of the Midlands’ top employers, the company aims to encourage development and recognition within the workplace, supporting employees who train in new areas and develop their roles within the organisation.
As part of their drive towards being “First with People” (the firm’s branding of the initiative), Goodyear Dunlop has developed the Pan-European award. These awards are presented on a yearly basis to those employees who have made a difference or special contribution to the company within the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. 35 associates out of over 30,000 within the EMEA region are selected.
This year the UK team, based in Birmingham, has proudly announced that two of its employees have received an award: Peter Wayte, of the Tyre Technical department and Cliff Hickman from IT. The manufacturer has called the gongs a “great achievement not only for the individuals but also for Goodyear Dunlop UK and Ireland. It highlights the company’s dedication to associates and the investments made.”
Several changes have been made to the senior corporate finance staff at Goodyear Tire & Rubber. The company reports that Damon Audia, formerly vice president and treasurer, has been appointed senior vice president of finance and treasurer. His expanded role includes Goodyear’s investor relations and tax functions.
“Damon has been a key member of Goodyear’s finance organisation over the past four years, and he was particularly instrumental in the execution of the plans to refinance the company over the last several years,” said Goodyear executive vice president and chief financial officer Darren R. Wells. “He has demonstrated the type of leadership we need in this role as we address the challenges of today’s economy.”
Production at two factories operated by Goodyear in Turkey will be halted for ten days in December and January, says the president of the country’s petroleum, chemical and tyre union. The factories in Adapazari and Kocaeli will be closed between December 12 and 17 and then from January 2 – 7 due to reduced demand. Union president Abdullah Karacan added that production at the factories had decreased between 30 per cent and 60 per cent.
Goodyear will stop production at its Fayetteville, US factory between December 24 and January 2, reports the Fayetteville Observer. According to the newspaper, the week and a half pause was officially announced on 5th December, although it hardly came as a surprise. We’ve known it was coming,” the paper quotes Daryl Jackson, president of United Steelworkers Local 959, as saying.
The Goodyear OptiGrip – SmartWear Technology has been recognised for its new and original features, having received the Luxembourg Business Federation’s Innovation Award for 2008. Chosen for the distinction from a total field of 21 applications, the FEDIL panel concluded that an innovative product such as the Goodyear OptiGrip tyre will strengthen the technical and innovative leadership role of Goodyear, providing a demonstration of the R&D capabilities of its Luxembourg Technical Centre.
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