Last Workers Leave Dunlop Factory
The last shift at Dunlop’s Washington UK plant clocked off ahead of schedule on 14 June. The Early April announcement that Dunlop would close the plant came as a “body blow,” to workers, the Sunderland Echo reported, as it followed a similar announcement at nearby Stag Furniture. Dunlop said it is continuing to work alongside Sunderland Council and One North East to help the workers find new employment through the JobCentre.
Continue ReadingAmtel-Vredestein CEO Calls for Government Backing for Businesses
Speaking at the Russian Economic Forum staged in London, Amtel-Vredestein CEO, Alexei Gurin called for President Putin and the Russian Federation to help boost quality, competitiveness and profitability through backing companies in acquiring businesses, technology and skills. He stressed that Russia should use oil windfall revenues to support companies who acquire western businesses and technology.
Continue ReadingSmarTire Appoints New President and CEO
SmartTire Systems Inc has appointed Leif E Pedersen as the new president and CEO of SmarTire, effective immediately. Pedersen replaces Al Kozak who has left the company to pursue other interests.
Continue ReadingSolideal Taps Trelleborg Exec as New CEO
(Akron/Tire Review) Paul Gaines has been named CEO of Solideal Tire Inc. USA, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based industrial and specialty tyremaker. Gaines had been managing director of Trelleborg Wheel Systems. Gaines succeeds Baldwin Hickey and Thom Harris, who have served as co-CEOs. They were assigned to other executive positions within the company, Solideal said.
Continue ReadingNew CEO for Bridgestone Europe
From 1st April 2006, Takashi Urano becomes Chairman, CEO and President of Bridgestone Europe (BSEU). He succeeds Minekazu Fujimura, who is retiring. Mr. Urano joined Bridgestone in 1974, soon after graduating in economics from Keio University, Japan. By 1999, he had risen to become General Manager of the Asia and Oceania Division – and, a few months later, took over as General Manager of the China Department. At the beginning of 2004, he was appointed Director of the Middle East, Africa and Russia Division.
Continue ReadingGoodyear to shut UK tyre plant in cost-cut move
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. on Wednesday said it plans to close an automobile tyre plant in the United Kingdom and a bicycle tyre plant in Poland (Debica) in order to achieve combined annual savings of up to $50 million. The largest U.S. tyre company, which is based in Akron, Ohio, said it has begun discussions with union employees as a step toward shutting its Goodyear Dunlop United Kingdom passenger tyre factory in Washington, northeast England. This action is expected to create annual savings of approximately $20 million and result in charges of between $75 million and $85 million ($55 million to $65 million after-tax). The cash portion of this charge is estimated to be $35 million to $40 million.
Continue ReadingTreadways Appoints New CEO and COO
(Akron/Tire Review) Following the retirement of chairman and CEO Dan Wire on 31 March, Treadways Corp has announced the reassignment of two senior executives. Ryoji (Roy) Araki will assume the position of chairman of the board and CEO, and Koichiro (Kyle) Iwasawa will assume the position of president and chief operating officer.
Continue ReadingManagement Changes at Nokian Tyres
Nokian has announced a number of changes at senior management level. Vice President, Purchases and Logistics, Mr. Kari-Pekka Laaksonen is appointed Vice President, Sales and Logistics as of 1 February 2006. Vice President, Nokian Car and Van Tyres, Mr. Antero Juopperi is appointed Senior Vice President, Strategy as of 1 March 2006. He is responsible for all Russian business activities, R&D and Corporate Development of the Nokian Tyres Group. Vice President, Finance and Control, Mr. Rami Helminen is appointed Vice President, Car and Van Tyres as of 1 March 2006.
Continue ReadingTitan CEO Get Political
(Akron/Tire Review – Quincy Herald-Whig) Morry Taylor, who created a stir when he ran for president in 1996, is shaking things up again. This time, the president and CEO of Quincy-based Titan International took out a full-page ad 2 February in USA Today calling on Americans to demand common-sense solutions to some of the problems facing this country. The top of the ad reads in bold print: “Americans are you stupid? I dont think we are, but politicians, bureaucrats and the intelligent elite think so.” Taylor used the ad as a platform to express his views on a variety of issues he feels are being mishandled by the nations leadership.
Continue ReadingContinental CEO Says US, Asia Acquisitions Possible
Continental AG CEO Manfred Wennemer has said he could well imagine the company making acquisitions in the US and Asia in the future. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Wennemer also said there are plans to strengthen the tyre-making business in China.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Europe’s CEO Moves to Bunzl
Goodyear Europe’s CEO Mike Roney is to become the new chief executive of distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl PLC. Currently a non-executive director of the company Roney will take over from Anthony Habgood as of 1 November. Company chairman, Habgood, took on the executive role after the unexpected withdrawal of CEO-designate Christoph Sander in June.
Continue ReadingTitan CEO Says He’ll Buy Plant With or Without Union
(Akron/Tire Review - Freeport Journal-Standard) Following months of virtual silence about the future of Freeports Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plant, among the regions last major source of good-paying industrial jobs, the CEO of Titan International Corporation Wednesday drew a rhetorical line in the sand, saying that while he wants to negotiate in good faith with the local United Steelworkers of America, Titan is in no mood for protracted talks or costly demands.
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Strong growth at Bridgestone UK
Since John McNaught took over at Bridgestone UK there have been a number of changes including some high profile acquisitions in the commercial vehicle sector. But in general the developments of the last few years can be summed up in one word, growth. It has been a “phenomenally busy period,” John McNaught told Tyres & Accessories at the company’s Warwick, headquarters. “Bridgestone is in a very high period of growth and for all our staff it is a tremendously busy and rewarding time,” said Mr McNaught explaining that this is part of a long-term plan developed in conjunction with the company’s European management based in Brussels. John McNaught praised the efforts of all his team and highlighted the fact that the company has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People award.
Continue ReadingFormer Goodyear Vice President Named New Myers CEO
Following Stephen Myers’ decision to step down, John C Orr has been promoted to CEO of plastic, rubber products company Myers Industries in Akron, Ohio. According to reports the board did not waste any time in appointing Mr Orr, the company’s 54-year-old president and chief operating officer, as CEO.
Continue ReadingCicero Appointed New Denman Tire CEO
(Akron/Tire Review) Emanuele E (Manny) Cicero has been named president and CEO of Denman Tire Corp., effective 1 May, Denman Tire has announced. Cicero replaces Charles R.Wright, who is retiring.
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