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.
(Akron/Tire Review) The sale of Titan International Inc. to One Equity Partners, a private equity group of JP Morgan Chase & Co, should be completed by the end of February, according to Maurice Taylor Jr, Titan’s chairman and CEO. Taylor said the special board committee of Titan directors formed to pursue talks with One Equity will vote on the deal by the middle of February. Shareholders will vote at the end of the month, he said.
Sweeping personnel changes have taken place within Goodyear Dunlop UK’s marketing department which, according to the company, “reflect the progress made to date in developing [our] brand strategies and the future needs of the organisation.”
Lisa Faulkner, previously Goodyear brand manager has been appointed manager motorcycle SBU and Geraldine McGovern, previously Dunlop brand manager, has been appointed E-Business manager. Ron Pike, marketing communications manager, will be responsible for advertising, promotions and sponsorships. All of the new appointments will report to Neil Burrows, marketing director.
Reports in the Shanghai Daily say that Bridgestone has opened a 1.6 million Yuan (US$ 198,270) “Car Wing” store in Shanghai. The store covers 789 square metres and is Bridgestone’s largest in China. It is also the first built by the tyre manufacturer, as its other stores were built by dealers.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will manage a supply arrangement with YRC Worldwide Inc, providing commercial tyres to some of its operating companies within YRC Regional Transportation.
As part of Dunlop’s commitment to a major investment in UK motorsport it has continued to develop its successful partnership with EvoActive, one of the UK’s highest profile trackday operators, into 2006.
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., has announced the appointment of Jeff Vasichek as vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for all aftermarket and original equipment sales, effective 1 January 2006. In this position, Vasichek will be responsible for integrating the recent acquisition of Goodyear’s farm tyre sales and marketing with Titan’s tyre and wheel businesses.
(Akron/Tire Review) Both Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Yokohama Tire Corp. have hired new PR firms.
After a lengthy search, Goodyear’s North American Tire unit settled on Coyne Public Relations of Parsippany, New Jersey, as its new US agency. “We were very pleased with the work of all three ‘finalist’ agencies,” said Ed Markey, vice president of PR and communications for Goodyear North American Tire. “Coyne impressed us with a combination of solid strategic thinking, creative tactical ideas and great collaborative chemistry. We believe Coyne’s capabilities and approach to public relations are the best fit for Goodyear.”
Wolverhampton’s famous Goodyear site is at the centre of a £150 million redevelopment plan. The plans will see the site transformed into a residential zone with 700, a park and even a new school. According to local news reports, the plan would also guarantee a future for Goodyear workers for at least the next decade with the firm taking out a 10-year lease on the land it will occupy.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company said it has reached agreement in principle on the final terms to acquire Ansell Limited’s interest in their South Pacific Tyres (SPT) joint ventures, pending government and other approvals.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear has announced a price increase of up to 6% on all consumer, commercial and OTR brands, effective 1 January 2006. Rising raw material, energy and transportation costs were cited as reasons for the increase.
(Akron/Tire Review) The Freeport (Illinois) Journal-Standard reported that United Steelworkers (USW) workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s Freeport agricultural tyre plant will vote 21 December on a new labour agreement that could pave the way for Titan International to acquire the plant.
Tubeless tyre sales in India remain flat despite the best promotional efforts of manufacturers. According to the Business Standard, tubeless products “have failed to impress buyers.”
“The infrastructure development and the road conditions have not kept pace with the technology development. The sales of tubeless tyres is restricted to the higher segment premium cars and still not many here are aware about the benefits of tubeless tyres,” said the regional service manager of JK Tyre.
(Akron/Tire Review) In 1958 Craig Anderson sold his first set of Goodyear Double Eagles while working at his uncle’s tyre store in New York state. Now, after 40-plus years in the tyre and rubber industry, Craig has stepped down as president and chief executive officer of Hercules Tire & Rubber Co.
(Akron/Tire Review) Despite claims that it has reached an agreement with the United Steelworkers that would pave the way for the completion of its planned purchase of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co’s agricultural tyre business, Titan International has filed for its fifth extension for the deal. The new deadline set by Titan is 31 December.
(Akron/Tire Review) Despite circulating rumours, according to local media, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co plans to maintain its operations in the Philippines, and hopes to reach a new deal on a 25-year property lease with the National Development Co there. According to news reports out of the Philippines, Goodyear Philippines president David Joseph Morin disclosed this at the company’s 50th year celebration this week and revealed plans to expand its network of Goodyear outlets in that country. The company’s 25-year lease contract with the National Development Co. for the 18-hectare lot in Las Piñas expired in May 2000 and has been extended month to month.
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