PERSONNEL
On April 13 Richard J. Kramer will slide into the pilot’s seat at Goodyear and take the controls from Robert J. Keegan. The company’s Board of Directors announced Kramer’s upcoming appointment as Goodyear Tire & Rubber chief executive officer and president on February 24, and further stated his election to the board. Keegan, who has served as CEO and president since 2003, will remain executive chairman of the board.
Michelin has appointed a new factory manager to lead operations at its Ballymena plant. Wilton Crawford takes over from Graham Whitehurst and started his new post on 18 January 2010. With over 20 years of experience at Michelin – with a vast majority of that time spent at five different Michelin locations in the US – Crawford represents an international appointment and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Graham Whitehurst (who worked at the Ballymena site for over 12 years, the last five as plant manager) will now co-ordinated the company’s ‘Michelin Manufacturing Way’ programme, based in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Alliance Tire appointed three veteran tyre executives to its management team, reports Tire Review: Bob Arnold is vice president of aftermarket sales; Randy Gaetz is vice president of OE sales; and Todd Richardson is chief financial officer. “We’re building an outstanding team to serve our customers in the field,” said Manny Cicero, president of Alliance Tire USA.
Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America has appointed Christine Moore its new director of Marketing. In her new position, Moore will be responsible for managing all marketing related business for the Dunlop motorcycle and ATV tyre business unit, including brand strategy, advertising, product marketing consumer services and public relations. Moore will report to Joe Rosen, chairman and president of Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America.
In the US, toolmaker Snap-on Incorporated has announced that Martin M. Ellen, senior vice president – finance and chief financial officer, has left Snap-on to become executive vice president and chief financial officer of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. To allow for an appropriate transition, Ellen will remain as Snap-on’s chief financial officer until 31 March 2010. Effective the same date, Aldo J. Pagliari, currently president – Snap-on Equipment, and formerly group controller/director of finance for the Snap-on Commercial and Industrial Group, will succeed Ellen as Snap-on’s senior vice president – finance and chief financial officer.
Following the announced retirement of Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) chairman, CEO and president Mark Emkes, company vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer and secretary Gary Garfield stepped up to the plate to take on the positions of CEO and president. Filling Garfield’s shoes in his former roles is Chris Nicastro, who is currently general counsel, Bridgestone Americas Latin American Operations, and corporate compliance officer, BSAM. Nicastro’s appointment in this new portfolio of positions takes effect March 1, 2010, and will involve him taking over responsibility for overseeing the company’s legal and compliance functions.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced two new appointments to their Commercial Vehicle business senior management team. Martin Dungworth joins the Birmingham-based company as Commercial Sales Manager and Marc Preedy is appointed as Customer Strategy Manager. These roles cover the UK and Ireland business where the company’s portfolio, including the Goodyear and Dunlop tyre brands, Next Tread retread range and TruckForce service network, are well-established in the truck fleet market.
During these tough times for the commercial vehicle tyre market, Continental Tire the Americas has turned to charity for help – Chris Charity, that is. The former Continental Tire Automotive Aftermarket national sales manager is taking on the role of national sales manager for the Passenger and Light Truck Tire Division’s Dealer Channel, a role in which he will be responsible for directing, managing, training and supervising the dealer field sales force. Charity will also manage and oversee the development of new business and the growth of existing accounts within the US. Charity replaces Tom Colelli who is retiring after 43 years of service with Continental Tire.
On February 12 Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) announced the upcoming retirement of Mark A. Emkes, the company’s chairman, CEO and president, effective February 28, 2010. On that date Emkes, who has been employed at the Bridgestone family of families for more than 33 years, will also retire from his position as a member of the Boards of Directors of BSAM and parent company Bridgestone Corporation.
Exide has appointed a new national sales manager. Effective February 8, this position rests in the hands of Heath Ghent, who, according to the battery supplier, brings with him a wealth of experience. Ghent’s previous roles include senior sales and marketing positions in a variety of companies, including Aggreko Ltd and Air Products PLC, servicing customers in a wide cross section of market sectors.
Snap-on Tools, reportedly the UK brand leader in tools, tool storage and aftermarket workshop equipment, is celebrating its 45th anniversary by reporting the record sales it achieved in 2009. According to the company, Snap-on Tools’ sales exceeded £100 million for the first time, the third consecutive year of record sales levels. Sales are said to have grown in every product group – tool boxes, hand tools, power tools and hand-held diagnostic equipment.
Pelmar Engineering Ltd. has appointed Enrique Guix as area sales director for the Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal and South American markets. Guix worked for rubber machinery firm Gumix, S.A. in Barcelona, Spain for more than 17 years before Farrel Corp. acquired selected assets from Gumix, S.A. in 2006 in order to establish Farrel Spain, S.L., where Guix worked until the end of 2009.
Curt Andersson has been named president of Goodyear’s North American Tire unit, a position that has been “open” since current NAT president Rich Kramer was promoted to COO of the global company last year. Andersson, 48, comes to Goodyear from Crouse-Hinds of Syracuse, New York, were he served as president of the Cooper Industries unit. Prior to Crouse-Hinds, Andersson was senior vice president of industrial integration for The Timken Co. in Canton, Ohio, and held management posts with General Electric.
As part of the restructuring of its Engineered Products and Solutions (EPS) business, a measure taken in order to accelerate growth, Alcoa has appointed Olivier M. Jarrault to the new position of chief operating officer, Engineered Products and Building Systems. In this role, Jarrault, who has served as president of Alcoa Fastening Systems since 2002, will lead the Alcoa Fastening Systems, Alcoa Wheels and Transportation Products, and Building and Construction Systems business units.
As of February 15 the role of senior vice president at Continental Corporation’s Corporate Communications department will be handled by Dr. Felix Gress. The 49-year old comes to Conti from Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar GmbH, where he served as managing director, and succeeds Dr. Heimo Prokop, who left Continental on December 31, 2009. In his new position, Gress will report directly to Conti Executive Board chairman Dr. Elmar Degenhart.
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