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) Continental AG is considering the purchase of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co’s engineered products business. Conti CFO and Continental Tire North America President Alan Hippe told German media last week that such an acquisition would be a good fit. “We will look at that. That is for sure,” Hippe said. “But I have to state here that our major priority is to grow in automotive systems.
(Akron/Tire Review) As of 1 November, Ernest J Rodia is Titan International Inc’s new executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO). Rodia had worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co since 1966 in various capacities, including vice president of global engineering and manufacturing technology. He had been instrumental in Goodyear’s entry into radial tyres and directed tyre manufacturing in the tyre company’s European and Asian markets.
Rodia also worked as plant manager of Goodyear’s Kelly-Springfield/Goodyear farm tyre plant in Freeport, Illinois. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a management degree from Harvard University.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co is aiming to be a smoke free company, and this time the development has nothing to do with burning rubber. Instead Goodyear is the first major employer in the US state of Ohio to take part in an anti-smoking programme that provides free nicotine patches to employees who smoke and want to quit, the Akron Beacon Journal has reported. The programme is a joint effort with the Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, which is splitting the cost of the patches with Goodyear.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has introduced a completely new product. It’s not a tyre; in fact, it’s not even made out of rubber. It is a one-of-a-kind collectible basketball jersey that recalls its sports heritage and honours a basketball legend. In 1964, Akron’s Goodyear Wingfoots – a basketball team of Goodyear associates playing in the National Amateur Athletic Union Basketball League – won the AAU National Championship. One of the players on that team went on to become an Olympic gold medallist, an all-star professional player, a championship coach at both the college and professional levels and a member of basketball’s Hall of Fame: New York Knicks head coach Larry Brown.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that its premium auto tyre, the Assurance featuring ComforTred Technology, has been chosen as original equipment for its 2006 Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum R/T and Dodge Charger R/T models. Goodyear’s supply of ComforTred tyres for these high-image cars represents the first original equipment position for the tyre line, regarded as the most successful new product launch in the company’s history.
Two New York law firms have filed class-action lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co alleging the two companies sold “defective tyres” to certain buyers of Toyota Sienna minivans.
The suit filed on behalf of Stanley Monk and other buyers of the Sienna, claims “run-flat” tyres produced by Goodyear under the company’s Dunlop brand wear out after approximately 10,000 miles of use, said attorney Roger Bernstein. According to a Dow Jones report, he said the Dunlop tyres need to be replaced on a annual basis, which apparently means they are “defective.”
Goodyear is reportedly considering returning to the Formula One motorsport series. F1total.com reports that the American manufacturer is considering getting involved in the sport as a way of responding to the improved market performance that Michelin and Bridgestone have achieved through their involvement. The F1 website speculates that Goodyear could apply for the FIA contract as soon as the series reverts to using a single tyre supplier. Goodyear could also be competing with Kumho for a future F1 contract, the website states.
Kumho UK has appointed Matt Smith as its new business development manager.
The new recruit brings with him 10 years of experience in the tyre and automotive sector and joins Kumho from Wagon Automotive where he held the position of BDM for European OEMs and 1st tier accounts. Prior to that he spent eight years with Goodyear in various technical and sales positions.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co reported net income of $142 million, the company’s best quarterly result since the third quarter of 1998 and up substantially from its 2004 third quarter profit of $38 million. The profit came against record quarterly net sales and strong results from its tyre operations, Goodyear said. Goodyear recorded sales of $5 billion for the quarter, up 7 per cent from $4.7 billion during the same period last year. 2004 period. Third quarter tyre unit volume increased to 58.4 million units, up 1.8 per cent from last year.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has partnered with Tredit Tire & Wheel Company, Inc to provide tyre and wheel assemblies to original equipment trailer manufacturers. Tredit is a leading supplier of wheel and tyre and wheel packages for trailers used in the recreational vehicle, cargo, horse/livestock, boat and utility segments.
North American tyre marketers have taken the comical approach to promoting winter tyre use. A recent press release published from Goodyear’s Akron, Ohio HQ asks: “Waiting for Groundhog Day before deciding on winter tyres for the family vehicle?” Instead Dunlop representatives urge drives not to wait until the
”furry prognosticators make their predictions.”
Cheshire-based Tyreguard systems will soon be selling its tyre sealent products on the other side of the Atlantic after striking a deal with Harvey Westbury Corporation. The agreement will see Harvey Westbury exclusively distribute Tyreguard’s new tyre safety system to the Marine, RV and Industrial sectors in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Under terms of the agreement Harvey Westbury will also be able to market Tyreguard to the automotive industry.
(Akron/Tire Review) Activist hedge fund Jana Partners has taken a strong stance against the proposed “merger” between Titan International and One Equity Partners. Calling it a move to take Titan private, Jana Partners said the $18 per share offer made by One Equity Partners was “well below the true value of the company.”
Goodyear has appointed Pierre Jambon as general manager, global aviation. In his new role, Jambon will run the company’s global aviation business, overseeing the development, manufacture and marketing of aviation tyres for use as original equipment, replacement and military applications.
Since joining Goodyear in January of 2004, Jambon has served as the director of finance planning and analysis for the North American Tire business unit.
Fast fit network, Hi-Q has recently signed up to be a partner organisation in a new campaign aimed at ensuring drivers aren’t left stranded in the event of a breakdown. The Goodyear ‘Drive Home Safely’ offers drivers practical advice on what to do if stranded, or if being followed. The campaign also aims to create a network of ‘safety zones’ where drivers can go to receive free preventative safety checks on their vehicle.
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