Goodyear Archives - Page 159 of 243 - Tyrepress

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.

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Tyremakers Back to Work in South Africa

A decision that resounded as music to the ears of South Africa’s tyre industry was announced on August 17 – the month long strike that brought production at factories belonging several tyre majors to a halt has been resolved. Following a breakthrough in negotiations workers at Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone and Goodyear agreed to return to work on August 21.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) urged all its members to meet at their workplace on August 20 for a report about the wage talks. “Numsa is of the view that it has made progress. It will discuss with its constituencies on Monday whether the current offer on the table does constitute a settlement,” said Numsa regional secretary Irvin Jim. The offer includes an eight per cent across-the-board increase, 8.5 per cent for minimum salary employees, and 7.5 per cent for next year and the year after.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Seeks Silver Anniversary Highway Hero

(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is now accepting nominations for its annual Highway Hero Awards – the 25th straight year the tyremaker will recognise the heroic actions of a North American truck driver. Nominations will be accepted through November 30.

To be considered for the award, the nominated driver must be a full-time truck driver; must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada; the incident recognised must have occurred in the U.S. or Canada; the nominee must have been on the job; and the nominee must drive a truck with 14 or more wheels. The incident being nominated must have occurred between November 16, 2006 and November 15, 2007.

“We’re hearing about the brave men and women who make our highways safer and drive our economy,” said Steve McClellan, vice president for Goodyear commercial tyre systems. ”They truly are America’s unsung heroes, and we want to honor them.”

Nomination forms and program details may be obtained by calling the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183. Nomination forms are also available at www.goodyear.com/truck/whatsnew/hero.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Further Expansion Slated for Chinese Goodyear Plant

Further expansion is already planned for Goodyear’s tyre facility in Dalian, China. This news comes at a time when the plant’s previous 1.06 billion yuan (£70 million) expansion project is nearing completion. This new project will be the third expansion at the plant since it was established in 1995.

“By the end of this year, the daily output of the plant will be 17,000 units,” said John Gonsalves, quality and technology manager of Goodyear Dalian Tyre Co. “We plan to increase the output next year,” he added.

“About 30 per cent of the products will be exported to Asia-Pacific region, Germany, India, Egypt, Israel and North America. However, the total exports are expected to decrease later,” Gonsalves said. “China will be our main market rather than export markets.”

Goodyear’s OE customers in China include Chery Automobile, Shanghai VW, FAW-VW, Great Wall Automobile and Brilliance Automobile.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear to Build New Factories in Asia, Eastern Europe

On August 15 Goodyear made mention of plans to build new tyre factories in Asia and Eastern Europe in addition to expanding capacity at existing facilities. These new additions come as part of the tyremaker’s plans to increase global capacity for high margin tyre lines by 40 per cent and capacity in existing low-cost facilities by a third. According to Goodyear, these new plants and increased capacity will be instrumental in company plans to source half its global tyre production from low-cost countries by 2012.

The US tyre major also plans to inject funds into its facilities in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Gadsden, Alabama, to increase their capacity for producing higher-margin tyre lines.

16th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear/Ledbetter Legislation Approved in US

What began as a pay dispute between Goodyear and a former employee has worked its way through the US House of Representatives. To minimise the impact of a Supreme Court ruling in favour of the tyremaker in the recent Ledbetter v. Goodyear case, which many believe will severely hamper the ability of employees to seek legal remedies to pay discrimination disputes, the House approved a piece of legislation allowing workers to file a grievance within 180 days of receiving a pay cheque that reflects a discriminatory pay decision — even if the decision itself was made months or years before.

This new legislation, known as the “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007,” was accompanied by another bill that would repeal current federal limits on fiscal damages that can be awarded to employees in certain types of discrimination claims. The “Equal Remedies Act of 2007” would remove the current upper limit on claims for breaches of anti-discrimination laws. These current limits are between US$50,000 and $300,000 – the precise ceiling is determined by the size of the employer.

15th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hopes High for End to South African Strike

Tyre manufacturers and unions in South Africa are hopeful that the three-week old industry strike may be coming to an end. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said it hoped a final settlement may be reached on August 14.

“One outstanding issue was that Goodyear tyre should come out with a plan on how they intend to phase out labour brokers in their employment,” said union spokesperson Maziwakhe Hlangani. Goodyear has agreed that 100 of the 250 contract workers will be absorbed into permanent staff compliment.

“Other issues involved are labour costs, which include shift allowances, and increases in provident funds contributions, which should be tackled again, said Hlangani.

According to Numsa, the Employers’ New Tyre Industry Association was offering wage increases ranging from 8.5 per cent for the lowest paid workers, 8 per cent across-the-board and 7.5 per cent for those earning above the maximum grade levels

14th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

What the HiQ “Revolution” Looks Like

On the same day that Which? Magazine published details of disappointing car franchise dealer inspections, HiQ has started what it calls a “revolution” in fast-fit retail. According to the company, the launch represents much more than simply a new look, and is rather a completely new concept in tyre retail, designed to counter negative consumer perceptions of the industry. Currently HiQ sells in the region of 700,000 tyres, but the plan is increase this to 1.4 million during the next three years. This is mainly expected to be achieved through the expansion of its brand-new franchise network from 150 branches at the moment to 250 in three years time. Overall, Goodyear Dunlop is said to have invested a figure in the high single-digit millions of pounds into the HiQ overhaul.

10th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Recaufair-Pneushow

Brazil’s status as one of the emerging BRIC economies is representative of a wider optimism regarding the future of South American tyre markets. The continent is already home to a number of industry players, including Pirelli, Goodyear and Bridgestone/Firestone, and at the beginning of the year Marangoni entered into an agreement with Distribuir Argentina, with the aim of expanding the company’s presence throughout South America.

The considerable potential offered by South American markets is highlighted by the continent’s largest tyre exhibition, the Recaufair-Pneushow. The event was first held in 1996 and in the ensuing 11 years has grown to become a highly valued venue in which to conduct business. In 2008 the Recaufair-Pneushow will take place in São Paulo, Brazil between May 5 and 8, and the show’s organisers anticipate an attendance of some 80 exhibitors and 10,500 domestic and international visitors. Products on display will include new and retreaded tyres, tyre repair and retreading equipment, moulds and materials, tyre servicing equipment and tools, and tyre recycling equipment.

8th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Names Mark Schmitz Executive Vice President and CFO

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced on August 7 that W. Mark Schmitz has been appointed executive vice president and CFO, effective immediately. Schmitz succeeds Richard J. Kramer, who in March was named to the additional post of president of Goodyear’s North American Tire (NAT) business unit. Prior to joining Goodyear, Schmitz, 56, was most recently vice president and CFO for Tyco International’s Fire and Security Segment, a position he had held since 2003. Schmitz, however, has spent the majority of his career with General Motors

“As we considered candidates, we sought an experienced CFO who could work with our leadership team to build on our recent successes and drive our business strategy going forward,” said Robert J. Keegan, Goodyear chairman and CEO. “In Mark, we found an individual with a successful track record, who is intimately familiar with the automotive industry and who has considerable international experience.”

8th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Use Pneu-Logic Tyre Inspection Technology

Michelin has signed a five-year contract that will see the French tyremaker utilise tyre inspection technology produced by Advanced ID Corporation. On August 6 the RFID technology specialist announced that its tyre division, UK based Pneu-Logic, will provide Michelin’s French reseller EDP with a hardware platform and software application specifically designed to meet the needs of Michelin’s global Business Partners. This product has been named URM and implementation of the technology has begun in more than ten European countries.

Ken Field, Pneu-Logic’s Sales Director for Europe, stated, “This is an excellent example of working with a very good reseller and Michelin to deliver a solution with substantial benefits to Michelin’s partners and customers. Based on the Pneu-Logic platform, EDP has developed the URM software to meet the exact needs of Michelin’s partners who deliver much of Michelin’s world renowned service.”

7th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Raising US Prices

The price of all Goodyear consumer tyre lines in the US were increased by 8 per cent on August 1, with materials, transportation and ‘other costs’ cited as the reason. The price of OTR tread rubber also went up by 5 per cent. The tyremaker last raised passenger and light truck tyre prices on April 1, when a 4 per cent increase was put into effect, and OTR rubber went up by 5 per cent the following day.

6th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maurice Westmacott – “Sorely Missed”

Goodyear Dunlop have regretfully announced that Maurice Westmacott, Credit Control Manager, passed away on Sunday July 29th after a painful battle with cancer, at the age of 55. Maurice was well known in the tyre industry having managed Goodyear Dunlop’s customer accounts since joining the company in 2000. He was a familiar contact for many tyre dealers and wholesalers over the last seven years. A company spokesman said: “Maurice played a major role in building a customer facing accounts team. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family – and many friends at TyreFort and in the industry.”

3rd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Carlyle Group Closes Purchase of Goodyear Division

On 1 August global private equity firm The Carlyle Group announced it has closed its purchase of Goodyear’s Engineered Products Division. The transaction, valued at US$1.475 billion, was announced on March 23, 2007. Through a long-term license agreement, products will continue to carry the “Goodyear” brand, while the legal name of the company has been changed to “Veyance Technologies, Inc.”

Veyance Chief Executive Officer Timothy R. Toppen said, “We are excited about this new chapter in our history and we look forward to a strong and fruitful partnership with The Carlyle Group.”

Toppen said customers will continue to see the Goodyear Engineered Products brand they have known since 1898. “In addition, we have adopted a new corporate name – Veyance Technologies, Inc. It combines two critical components of our daily operations. Our products convey materials, fluids or power from one location to another and are designed to optimise performance for customers and end users.

2nd August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MRF Joins Rubber Group’s Panel of Associates

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) has released a statement outlining the addition of India’s largest tyremaker, MRF, to the Group’s Panel of Associates. The Wembley based IRSG, an intergovernmental organisation providing a forum for the discussion of issues affecting the supply and demand of both natural and synthetic rubber, stated it was “pleased to have MRF as one of its members, thereby expanding the good cooperation with the Indian rubber sector, one of the major growth areas in the world.”

The IRSG Panel of Associates includes a number of global tyre majors, including Bridgestone, Goodyear, Pirelli, Yokohama and Continental. MRF, however, is the first Indian tyremaker to add its name to the list. All companies or organisations participating in the rubber industry are eligible to join the Panel of Associates, and the IRSG believes members benefit from the interaction between industry and the Group’s Secretariat.

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

USW, Carlyle Set New Contract, Goodyear Sale to Proceed

(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers and the Carlyle Group have reached agreement on a new five-year contract covering the four engineered products plants Carlyle is planning to acquire from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The contract paves the way for completion of the sale agreement between Goodyear and the investment group. The contract covers some 1,600 workers at plants in St. Marys, Ohio; Lincoln, Nebraska; Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; and Marysville, Ohio.

31st July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors