PERSONNEL
Following a career at Cabot Corporation spanning 23 years, executive vice president and general manager of the corporation's Core Segment and Americas Region William Brady has taken on the role of CEO at biofuel company Mascoma. Brady’s appointment, says Mascoma, reflects the company’s transition into commercial operation.
Belgium’s Bekaert reports with pride that its CEO, Bert De Graeve, has been voted the country’s Manager of the Year by a jury panel made up of industry and academic specialists. Commenting on the jury’s report, the steel cord manufacturer notes that De Graeve is “praised for his strong leadership skills with which he guided Bekaert through a crisis year and his pro-active management and entrepreneurship which added to the company’s resilience.” Other qualities specifically singled out, Bekaert adds, were De Graeve’s “future-oriented approach focusing on innovation and internationalisation, the sustainability demonstrated in his work and the societal role he takes up in his function as CEO.”
More than a dozen years after establishing Beissbarth UK, Philip Hodges has made public his decision to part ways with the company. “Building Beissbarth UK to its current market-leading position has been a total passion,” Hodges stated upon making his announcement. “And now is a good time to hand over the reigns and seek new challenges – I relish new routes!”
Cooper Tire’s new ERP, or Enterprise Planning Resource, system is intended to standardise, automate and integrate the company’s data and processes into one system and provide access to information in a real-time environment. To assist in the successful roll out of this system, Cooper has appointed Ron Ranallo to the newly created position of vice president, ERP implementation. In this new role, Ranallo will supervise numerous business process owners who are tasked with designing and configuring the enterprise resource planning business processes and enabling software.
The controller of Cooper Tire’s Cooper Chengshan Tire joint venture in Rongchen City, China, William Wang, has been named the new controller of Cooper Kenda Tire Co., Cooper's manufacturing joint venture in Kunshan, China. Wang replaces Mark Ehren, who is on medical leave, and in his new position will be responsible for financial planning, preparation of the operation's financial statements, budgeting, internal controls and review and oversight of the general ledger to ensure the integrity and accuracy of accounts. In addition to his new role, Wang will continue responsibility for leading the enterprise resource planning initiative and key information technology projects in Cooper Chengshan to ensure the effective and efficient recording of accounting transactions.
German company cleanLASER has developed a new system for cleaning tyre moulds utilising a combination of handheld and automated laser tools. The system’s design consists of two laser optic tools that utilise laser light to clean the moulds. One tool is manually operated, while the second is automated. The system includes a beam-switch to enable the operator to select either a handheld cleaning tool for optimal versatility or a robotically mounted optic for repetitive high-speed treatments.
Following an all-expenses paid trip to Thailand, courtesy of the Maxxis Rewards Scheme, Grouptyre sales director Paul Hollows gave a vote of thanks to the brand, which is sold exclusively through Grouptyre wholesalers in the UK: “I know from conversations during our week away and since that the retailers who went to Thailand with Maxxis got a great deal out of the trip, especially the visit to the Maxxis Rayong factory, which helped them really appreciate the commitment Maxxis makes to manufacturing quality products. Congratulations to Maxxis on an excellent initiative and here’s to continued success in 2010.” Hollows accompanied the retailers on their journey through the country from November 21-28, during which they spent time in the beach resort of Pattaya and the bustling capital city of Bangkok.
As of December 1, 2009 Nenad Tutunovic has taken over as marketing manager at CGS Tyres. In his new role, in which he reports directly to marketing and sales director Andrew Mabin, Prague based Tutunovic heads up the company’s international marketing team. He is also responsible for the further development of an international marketing strategy and communications plan for CGS Tyres.
As of January 1, 2010 a new global marketing structure will become operational at Apollo Tyres Ltd, under the leadership of chief marketing officer Marc Luyten, who currently holds the position of director, Marketing & Sales at Apollo Vredestein B V, in Enschede, the Netherlands. Luyten will spearhead the global marketing of Apollo’s key product brands, assisted by a team of product brand managers responsible for individual brands across all regions.
Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon, Concorde made its inaugural voyage; The Archies topped the charts with "Sugar, Sugar" and Cliff Jones joined Rema Tip Top. The year? You guessed it – 1969. Cliff Jones began life at Rema Tip Top as a fledgling sales representative selling tyre repair materials to the two-wheel and automotive trade. Since then Cliff Jones has risen to the top in his time with the company. Now in the position of managing director of Rema Tip Top Automotive UK Ltd colleagues recognise that he leads by example, driven by an “inextinguishable passion and burning desire for success, unfazed by hard work, excited by challenge and resilient in adversity.”
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe has reported the recent appointment of a new communications director for its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. According to EMEA region president Arthur De Bok, Belgian Tom Delforge began in the role on September 1, replacing Chris Aked, who has retired.
Henk van Tuyl has been appointed director of Goodyear Dunlop Tires’ Tire Technology Commercial Tires – Europe Middle East and Africa division. Van Tuyl, who is originally from the Netherlands, has worked for the company for more than 21 years and took up his new post on October 1.
Michelin’s latest agricultural tyre training course, which is run at the Company’s Training Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, has gained City & Guilds approval. The Agricultural Tyre technical course is designed for tyre trade personnel and other people involved in the sales, maintenance and specification of agricultural tyres. It is offered to new recruits to the industry as well as giving experienced personnel the opportunity to receive formal training on a wide range of agricultural tyre-related topics.
Goodyear COO and president of its North American Tire unit, Richard J. Kramer, has been elected chairman of the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Kramer succeeds Jim MacMaster, executive vice president of Yokohama Tire, whose two-year term has come to an end.
Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. announced that Vic Delorio, its executive vice president since 2005, has retired.
The 28-year tyre industry veteran had been on the forefront of the recent battle over higher import tariffs on China-made passenger tyres. “Giti Tire is a remarkable company with a strong presence, the right market approach and is poised for successful growth, not only in North America, but worldwide,” Delorio said.
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