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.
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK promoted Matthew Bowell to the new role of PR support manager in the company’s corporate communications team. Bowell joined the tyre giant in 2004 as Communications Specialist, after beginning his PR career in a London NHS Trust, before moving to work on the Comic Relief programme in 2002 and 2003.
Viking International has announced the appointment of Mike Singleton as account manager for the South East. Singleton’s area will include London, Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, East and West Sussex and will take him as far as Bournemouth and Poole.
Singleton (39), originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, began his career in 1983 on a YTS scheme for National Tyres and Autocare as a trainee tyre fitter. After a short spell with Cafco Automotive Ltd, Singleton continued to work for National Tyres in various sales and managerial roles until 1996. Subsequently, he joined ATS (Southern) Ltd and finally Hi-Q (Goodyear), again in various sales roles before joining Viking International.
Owner Leocadio Alcaide (38) founded his company in 2000 in Alcalá de Guadaíra, on the outskirts of Seville, as a retailer of premium new tyres such as Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone and Dunlop. He also sold Bandag retreads manufactured by a Bandag Dealer in Andalusia and soon realised that opening his own Bandag shop would be an important contribution to the transport sector in the area.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has named four truckers as finalists in its annual North America Highway Hero Award. The winner will be announced at next month’s Mid-American Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky, Mar. 22-24. “We are indebted to truck drivers across the United States and Canada who keep America rolling,” said Steve McClellan, Goodyear’s vice president for commercial tire systems. “In this, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award’s 23rd year, it was especially difficult to select just four truck drivers who placed themselves in harm’s way to save someone else.”
Goodyear has reported a fourth quarter net loss of $51 million for 2005, compared with the previous year period’s net income of $125 million. This year’s lower result was put down to losses caused by the sale of the company’s farm tyre unit. Despite the losses the company recorded sales of $4.9 billion in the fourth quarter and a full-year sales record of $19.7 billion. According to the company, sales benefited from improved pricing and product mix and higher volume in the international tyre businesses, while the effect of currency translation reduced sales by approximately $107 million in the quarter.
As we approach the most romantic day of the year, it appears more of us are interested in being punctual than succeeding in love. According to new research, punctuality is more important than passion for Britons who are eight times more reluctant to miss a business meeting than a first date.
Goodyear surveyed 9,000 drivers across 15 European countries on the events they would most hate to miss due to a flat tyre. The school run (29 per cent), a job interview (12 per cent) and a business meeting (8 per cent) were all considered more important than missing a first date. Just one per cent of Britons are concerned about missing a date because of a flat tyre, whilst less than one in twenty (four per cent) would worry about missing a get-together with family and friends.
As Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd embarks on a fresh approach to its retail business, the company has employed 18 “top retail professionals” and founded a new call centre based at the heart of Goodyear Dunlop’s Birmingham operations.
With the recent announcement of new investment in Hi-Q, the company has pledged to invest in its training, marketing and systems whilst developing a new franchise programme in order to complement its company owned stores to create a strong nationwide brand.
With a record total of 418 hours of Olympic television coverage, NBC will use The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to provide aerial coverage for US television of the Winter Olympics from Torino, Italy. Goodyear, which provided the first aerial coverage of a televised sporting event at the 1960 Orange Bowl, has contributed spectacular images from above thousands of major sporting events for almost 50 years.
“NBC is putting particular emphasis on its high-tech coverage,” said NBC Sports executive producer David Neal. “Only Goodyear has the means and the skill to be able to provide the type of first-class aerial footage we needed to enhance our more than 24 hours of combined coverage everyday and bring our viewers an amazing overhead perspective.”
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd has announced that Geraldine McGovern, E-Business & Digital Manager has been accepted to take part in the prestigious Marketing Leaders Programme run by the Marketing Society. The Marketing Leaders Programme draws on the experience of the society’s senior members and Fellows and also utilises the training skills developed by Brand Learning. The programme was developed following an intensive period of consultation with leading marketing directors.
Bridgestone Europe, together with Fujitsu Siemens Computers, will co-sponsor the press room of the 2006 Geneva motor show (2-12 March). As ‘Official Press Sponsor’, Bridgestone will feature its logos and messages on prominent wall displays, signage and documentation in the press room. In addition, Bridgestone-uniformed staff will be on hand to assist journalists visiting the event. Last year Goodyear sponsored the exhibition’s press centre.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has promoted William Hopkins and Joseph Zekoski to new positions in its technical group. Hopkins, formerly vice president global product marketing and technology planning, was named to the newly created position of vice president of technology and strategic initiatives. He will be responsible for global strategic initiatives, tyre engineering, materials, performance prediction and global vehicle systems.
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd has announced the appointment of Stuart Starrs as Farm and Earthmover Tyre Specialist for Scotland. Stuart brings 20 years farm experience to the team reporting directly to Andy Morris, director of Off-The-Road tyres and will focus on developing contacts throughout Scotland co-ordinating promotions and sales as well as resolving any technical queries that may arise.
He joins the company from Coventry-based tractor manufacturer AGCO, manufacturers of Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger tractors for the European market. Here Stuart was area sales manager for England selling tractors to dealers throughout the territory as well as conducting field demonstrations and providing technical support.
In the USA, Goodyear has introduced “Fierce” – a new product line targeted at auto enthusiasts, tuners and sport-performance enthusiasts. The Fierce brand is available in three different tyre types – high-performance, ultra-high performance and sport truck. These three fast-growing tyre segments represent areas of extreme focus for enthusiasts who modify their vehicles. Research shows that tyres rank second in vehicle modifications in the sport compact segment, just behind exhaust components.
“For these enthusiasts, whether they own a tuner-car, sport truck or sleek sports sedan, a change in their tyre-and-wheel package is among the easiest of modifications to make, yet it probably carries the best bang-for-the-buck in terms of both appearance and vehicle performance,” said Chris Magana, marketing manager for Fierce.
Carbon fibre is part of the construction of the new Goodyear Eagle(R) featuring ResponsEdge Technology™, which will be available to consumers in May. With threadlike strands of carbon that are strong and flexible, carbon fibre is a substance that weighs much less than steel of similar strength. As a woven composite fabric, it is increasingly used in high-tech racecars and jet planes.
In the new Eagle featuring ResponsEdge Technology, the outboard sidewall of the tyre is reinforced with a high-tech carbon fibre insert that provides stiffness for responsive handling and steering precision. Combined with conventional tyre construction on the inboard sidewall, the ResponsEdge tyre delivers a smooth, comfortable ride.
Sava is introducing a new range of summer tyres for cars and Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs). The Sava Perfecta range will be available in new popular sizes and is said to offer longevity, reliability and a competitive price tag. The main benefit of Sava Perfecta is greater mileage. Other benefits are shorter wet stopping distances, reduced risk of aquaplaning, better driver control and less noise.
Koos Nooi, Sava brand director Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “The Sava Perfecta fulfils the requirements of possibly the largest consumer segment of the European tyre market because it is designed to meet the needs of the rational and safety conscious driver who drives a compact car or MPV. We have tested this tyre against competition, which it has outperformed. Sava Perfecta has met all parameters we set for it.”
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