DES MOINES, Iowa-Titan Tire Corp., which acquired the Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp. farm tire plant in Des Moines last July, has recalled 507 of the plant's 820 workers as contract negotiations continue between the company and the United Rubber Workers union. The factory is running at nearly 80 percent capacity, said Russell Ash, who is supervising the plant for Titan Tire parent Titan Wheel International Inc.
Company officials are evaluating the demand for Titan's tires as they decide whether to bring back additional workers. The firm is trying to recall the plant's full complement.
Goodyear president to extend tenure
AKRON-Hoyt M. Wells, Goodyear's vice chairman, president and COO, has accepted the board's request to delay his retirement until the company's annual meeting next April, as part of the company's leadership transition plan.
Mr. Wells, 67, had planned to retire at the end of this year.
The announcement of Mr. Wells' extension comes six months after Stanley Gault agreed to stay on as chairman and CEO through 1995 and ``sets the stage for a smooth transition when successors are named,'' the company said. Analysts expect Messrs. Gault's and Wells' successors to be named at the annual meeting in April.
General to build braking test track
UVALDE, Texas-General Tire is investing $2 million to build a wet- and dry-braking traction test track, located within the existing three-mile track at its Uvalde Proving Grounds.
The new course, expected to open in mid-1995, will include two 900-ft. wet lanes-one asphalt, the other concrete-and a 2,000-ft. dry approach area, a company spokesman said.
The addition will bring all of General's outdoor testing together for a more efficient operation, said Randy Ivey, proving grounds manager.
Meeting on truck tire safety, design slated
WASHINGTON-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has scheduled a public meeting Oct. 25 to discuss the establishment of a voluntary rolling resistance program for heavy truck tires and other aspects of truck safety.
Under the auspices of the Motor Vehicle Safety Research Advisory Committee, a Heavy Truck Subcommittee was formed to discuss issues of heavy truck safety and operation.
Crashworthiness, ergonomics, ``human factors'' and future population demographics are among the issues to be considered, as is the development of a government-industry research program to produce a uniform method of measuring truck tire traction.
The meeting is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DOT Building, 400 7th St. S.W. in Washington.
Goodyear expects higher net income
AKRON-Goodyear expects its third quarter net income will range between $146 million and $151 million, Chairman Stanley C. Gault told securities analysts in New York Oct. 12.
This compares with net income of $136.2 million in the third quarter of 1993, which included a $5.2 million gain from the sale of the Reneer Films subsidiary.
Sales will increase more than 6 percent over the $2.9 billion reported in last year's period, Mr. Gault indicated.
He noted that the company's sales have been strong, with higher unit sales in all regions.
Dunlop breaks ground for Atlanta warehouse
BUFFALO, N.Y.-Dunlop Tire Corp. has begun construction of a $4 million, 168,000-sq.-ft. tire distribution center on a 7.9-acre site 15 miles south of Atlanta.
The concrete-walled tire storage building will be served by Norfolk Southern Rail.
Last June, Dunlop opened a temporary center in East Point, Ga., which will continue to serve as the tire maker's southeast distribution center until the new facility is opened, the company said.
Big O Tire collecting mementos from past
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.-Big O Tires Inc. is collecting stories, photos, old ads and other memorabilia in order to compile a history of the 32-year-old tire franchiser.
Once compiled, the history book is expected to be distributed at the Big O dealer convention, Feb. 12-15, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
To submit entries or for more information, contact Patti Latham, Big O marketing assistant, at (303) 790-2800, extension 302.
TyrFil manufacturer hikes prices 10%
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-The Synair Corp., a major supplier of ``tire-filling'' polyurethane compounds, which it markets as TyrFil, announced Oct. 1 that it will raise prices 10 percent for all its polyurethane products due to escalating raw materials costs.
The company said the price increase will go into effect after it exhausts its current reserves.