Goodyear Archives - Page 134 of 243

E.G. Wholesale “Showing the Future of Wholesaling”

Horsham-based tyre business E.G. Wholesale (part of Elite Garages) has opened a new state of the art tyre warehouse and logistics operation in the West Sussex town. It will supply all its tyre customers across the south east. The operation was formally opened in December 2008 by Mark Brickhill, managing director of Goodyear Dunlop (UK). Brickhill stated, “Goodyear Dunlop are pleased to be associated with E.G. Wholesale who are certainly showing the future direction of tyre wholesaling.”

The new facility carries approximately 40,000 tyres on the shelf and – together with its two existing bulk tyre warehouses – offers one of the largest stocks and range of tyres in the South East. The company operates a fleet of 25 vans to cover its delivery area, which spreads from Bournemouth in Dorset to Ashford in Kent. All vans have satellite tracking systems to ensure timing and accuracy of delivery.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Closing Mixing Plant

Product News

The Richmond, Virginia, Times-Dispatch reported that Goodyear will close its rubber mixing plant in Radford, Va. The plant mixes rubber stock for Goodyear factories, the report said. Goodyear laid off 31 workers at the plant in December; the remaining 18 employees will be cut when the plant is closed on 30 January. The mixing plant had been owned and operated by Brad Ragan Inc. before Goodyear bought it.

Separately, news reports said that Goodyear was instituting one-week partial shutdowns at its Topeka, Kansas, truck and OTR tire plant. The shutdowns, Goodyear said, will come in February and March. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

‘Ledbetter’ Discrimination Bill Almost Ready for Obama’s Approval

Product News

A piece of legislation stemming from a pay dispute involving Goodyear was passed by the US Senate on January 22. It now only needs approval from the House of Representatives before it reaches Barack Obama’s desk for signing.

The Senate passed the bill after a 61-36 vote, and an article posted on the White House blog on Sunday indicates the president supports it. The bill could well become the first that President Obama signs into law. If so, it will overturn a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that said former Goodyear supervisor Lilly Ledbetter could not sue for wage discrimination after being paid less than male employees performing the same job as she had not filed her suit within 180 days after the company first acted in discriminatory manner. The legislation will instead allow aggrieved workers to sue after the most recent discriminatory payment received, not the first one.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear South Africa MD Announces Retirement

Product News

After more than three decades in the industry the managing director of Goodyear South Africa is to retire. Derek de Villiers, 61, will be replaced in April by current Dunlop Germany managing director Jean-Jacques Wiroth.

The appointment was announced by Goodyear’s Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region president Michel Rzonzef. “Derek has been a strong leader for many years, both in South Africa and the Middle East. He is highly regarded by his peers both inside and outside the company. We thank him for his very considerable contributions,” said Rzonzef, paying tribute to de Villers’ 34 years with the company.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kisby’s Easy Autocentres Acquires 27 HiQ Outlets

Product News

A number of HiQ fast fit premises have been taken over by Chris Kisby’s Easy Autocentres. A total of 27 centres are included in the deal, including the company’s flagship Nottingham outlet. Following the acquisition from Goodyear Dunlop, Easy Autocentres is set to become one of the Midland region’s largest fast fit operators, with a turnover of around £10 million.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New HiQ Director Appointed

Career Tracks, UK News

Goodyear Dunlop has announced the appointment of new HiQ director Juergen Titz, the man who masterminded the successful Goodyear Dunlop ‘4Fleet Group GmbH’ fleet business division in Germany. Titz has also been responsible for leading Goodyear Dunlop Europe´s consumer fleet activities as well as its European Retail approaches. In total, he has 11 years experience within the Goodyear Dunlop group, and has been a key advisor in the growth of the HiQ franchise programme as part of his pan-European role. He will now move to the UK on a full-time basis with his wife and two children.

Mark Brickhill, Group managing director, stated, “Juergen’s experience of fleet management and retail development across Europe will play a key role in Goodyear Dunlop’s drive to grow our own HiQ National Franchise Programme in the UK [covered extensively on Tyrepress.com throughout 2008]. The continued growth of HiQ is a core element of our vision to build strong retail and servicing partnerships across the country”

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hunt For Elusive Mis-Labelled Tyres Begins

Product News

In the US, Goodyear has been ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 18 incorrectly labeled tyres. The offending units were manufactured in the company’s Lawton, Oklahoma factory in the second week of January 2008, and barring roadside mishaps all one and a half dozen of these Goodyear Eagle RS-A P235/55R18 99V passenger car tyres may still be plying the roads of America.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ Celebrates First National Franchise Conference

Product News

HiQ bosses recently held the retail network’s first National Franchise Conference. The leading fast fit retailer organised a franchise networking event at the impressive Crewe Hall venue in Cheshire, where the company’s recently named new managing director, Juergen Titz, outlined HiQ’s vision to grow in the fast-fit and vehicle servicing market. The event gave HiQ the opportunity to have an open dialogue with its franchisees and inform them of the types of services open to them, such as online ordering technology, marketing support and new corporate identity graphics.

Despite trading in an unprecedented economic downturn, the company remained extremely upbeat about its future, mainly because of its National Franchise Programme. HiQ’s franchise structure is the only one of its kind in the fast fit industry, with 130 sites now run by 41 franchisees. By the end of February, this figure will rise to 138 sites and by the end of 2009, it is hoped that 170 centres will be franchised.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Supports Rugby Safety Programme

Product News

Graham Rowntree, England assistant coach and scrummaging coach for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa this summer, has launched the IRB Rugby Ready Programme in association with Goodyear at Willenhall RFC near Wolverhampton. More than 30 aspiring coaches received training during the three-hour session in match preparation, techniques and injury prevention and management.

IRB Rugby Ready is a programme developed by the International Rugby Board and run in England by the RFU in association with Goodyear and Sport England. The programme is designed to support coaches, referees, players and Unions in preparing to play by providing best practice models for physical conditioning, technique, injury prevention and injury management.

Rowntree was joined by Goodyear managing director Mark Brickhill as they launched the partnership and met those participating in the unique scheme which aims to train around 4,000 coaches nationwide within the next 12 months. Brickhill believes the IRB Rugby Ready in association with Goodyear scheme fits perfectly with the company’s self-styled image as an expert in safety.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Lunar Wheel Shown Off During Obama Inauguration Parade

Product News

Barack Obama may have travelled on Goodyear truck tyres to his January 20 inauguration, but competitor Michelin was by no means left out in the cold during the day’s festivities. The manufacturer reports that NASA astronauts piloted their latest generation moon vehicle, the Small Pressurized Lunar Rover, in the Washington D.C. inaugural parade. The lunar rover rode from the US Capitol to the White House upon a specially engineered Michelin Tweel assembly.

“Michelin and NASA have a long history of successful collaboration. For more than 20 years, Michelin has supplied tyres for the space shuttle. Over the past three years, we have also worked with NASA to develop a revolutionary tire/wheel assembly for the next generation of lunar rovers,” said David Stafford, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Research Company. “We are pleased that NASA, one of the world’s most demanding customers, has selected Michelin to accompany them as millions see this amazing vehicle showcased for the first time.”

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear, Dunlop Tires Named ‘Best Buys’

Product News

In the US, the February 2009 issue of Consumers Digest showcases the best tyres on the market, as rated by the magazine’s editors, and a handful products from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. made the list. For the “All-Season Car Tires” category, Goodyear’s Assurance TripleTred is the premium selection. The Goodyear Fortera TripleTred is the premium choice in the “All-Season SUV/Truck Tires” category. On the Dunlop side, the SP Sport Signature was is the midrange selection in the “Performance Car Tires” category, while the Dunlop SP 60 is the economy choice in the “All-Season Car Tires” category.

The Consumers Digest comparison list shows top-rated tyres in premium, midrange and economy segments. According to the magazine, best buy is defined as a product that offers the most value for a given amount of money. “We are pleased that yet another independent source has recognized the tremendous value of our tyres,” said Joey Viselli, Goodyear brand director.

“Goodyear’s product development efforts have focused on an application of relevant technology – advancements that are technologically innovative, but which also offer discernible benefits to those who drive on our tyres.”

“This is another great recognition for Dunlop’s outstanding product line. We are pleased when independent sources and consumers recognize the performance of our tyres,” said Todd Hershberger, Dunlop brand director. “Dunlop’s prestige and passion are evident in the continued high level of our products, including the industry-leading original equipment fitments on some of the world’s best automobiles.” (Tire Review/Akron)

20th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Confirms its Tyres Will Help Obama ‘Get There’

Premium, Product News

It appears the eagle-eyed spy photographers got it right. – Goodyear has confirmed that when Barack Obama takes the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States, products from the company’s commercial vehicle range will accompany him during the day’s proceedings and later at the countless appearances and appointments planned throughout his term of office. Obama’s official limousine will be carried to its various destinations on Goodyear tyres, continuing what the company calls a ‘decades-long tradition’ as the exclusive tyre for the presidential limo, and the standard tyre of the US Secret Service.

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19th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Appoints New Luxembourg Tech Head

Product News

Formerly general director of the Goodyear R&D Technical Centre in the United States, Marc Junio, has been named the new general director of the company’s Luxembourg Technical Centre in Colmar-Berg. His appointment sees him taking over the role from Joe Zekoski, vice president Global Product Development & Technical Centre Operations, who will repatriate to Akron, Ohio.

19th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Vehicles at NAIAS Show Wearing Goodyear Dunlop Rubber

Product News

The vehicle selected by North American automotive journalists to be this year’s Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit is the Hyundai Genesis. More than 50 new vehicles were considered before the US and Canadian based journalists selected their three favourite cars and trucks. The Hyundai squeezed out the other finalists in the car category, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the Ford Flex, to take out the top honour. And a win for the Hyundai is also a win for Dunlop, as the company provides its SP Sport 5000 tyre as OE on the Genesis, in sizes P225/55R17 and the P235/50R18.

15th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop UK Combines Farm/OTR and Truck Divisions

Product News

Goodyear Dunlop UK has announced the combination of its Farm and OTR department with its Truck department. As part of this change, Andy Morris, who was previously the director of Farm and OTR, will take on the new role of commercial sales manager. Morris is a 33-year Goodyear Dunlop veteran, and the company notes that he led the Farm department into a profitable position, crafting a skilled and specialised sales team.

14th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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