NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Bridge-stone/Firestone Inc. has appointed Thomas Crofutt president of its Dayton Tire Co. division, succeeding John Lampe, who earlier was promoted to BFS executive vice president. Mr. Crofutt, 53, has been plant manager of Dayton Tire's production facility in Oklahoma City since 1989. He began his career with the tire maker in 1963 working in the former Firestone tire plant in Memphis, Tenn. Dayton Tire produces associate and private brand passenger tires.
Bennett exits PACT for Aetna CFO post
NEW HAVEN, Conn.-Alan Bennett, Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp.'s vice president of sales andmarketing, has resigned to take a new job as chief financial officer of Aetna Business Resources, a division of the Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna insurance company, on July 10.
Mr. Bennett, a certified public accountant, joined the former Armstrong Rubber Co. in 1981 as manager of business measure-ments and ascended to his most recent position in 1992.
Customer satisfaction goal of new Toyo head
COMPTON, Calif.-Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp.'s new president, Kazuo Nagai, said the company's primary goal will continue to be customer satisfaction.
Mr. Nagai replaced Steve Kiyama July 1 as president of the Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. subsidiary. Mr. Nagai previously served as the Compton-based firm's vice president of marketing.
Mr. Nagai said the firm will continue to emphasize ``building long-term relationships with our dealers.''
Private brand group to publish brochure
WASHINGTON-The Private Brand Tire Group (PBTG) is producing a dealer brochure about the private-brand industry.
According to Lee A McMannis, president of Max-Trac Tire Co., a Stow, Ohio, private brander, the brochure will be available by mid-October, and will include a brief history of private-brand tires in the U.S., a view of the current replacement-tire market, and information on how dealers can become more competitive via private brand sales.
The PBTG, which is affiliated with the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, was established in 1978 to promote the interests of the private-brand sector. Its president is Robert Burns, of Dean Tire & Rubber Co., Louisville, Ky.
The group's membership consists of 21 independent private brand marketers who meet twice a year to discuss issues facing the industry.
CGT sole source for '96 Ford Taurus
AKRON-Continental General Tire Inc.'s AmeriÞG4S has been selected as the sole original equipment tire for the redesigned 1996 Ford Taurus, the U.S.'s top selling automobile. The tire also will be sourced on the 1996 Mercury Sable.
The tire, in size P205/65R15, will be made at CGT's Charlotte, N.C., and Mayfield, Ky., plants.
Abernethy assumes ACCC chairmanship
MEMPHIS, Tenn.-American Car Care Centers Inc. named Richard Abernethy of Southern Rubber Co., Birmingham, Ala., chairman of the board during the tire distribution group's shareholders meeting June 12.
Mr. Abernethy will serve as chairman for two years. Other officers appointed include: Greg Carlson of Lisac's Tire Co., Butte, Mont., first vice chairman; Claude Case of Charlie Case Tire, Phoenix, second vice chairman; Bob Barnes of Belle Tire Distributors, Allen Park, Mich., treasurer; and Dick Palmer of Palmer Industries, Macon, Ga., secretary.
Uniroyal averts strike at Kitchener plant
KITCHENER, Ontario-Uniroyal Goodrich Canada Inc. averted a strike at its Kitchener plant by finalizing a three-year contract with union workers June 27.
In addition to wage gains for maintenance workers and pension benefit increases for all members, the pact outlines a new 12-hour rotating shift schedule to be implemented Oct. 10.
On June 13, United Rubber Workers Local 677 members had voted in favor of allowing its officers to set a strike date in an effort to change the current eight-hour rotating shift.
Titan offers stock to eliminate debt
QUINCY, Ill.-Titan Wheel International Inc., parent of Titan Tire Corp., is offering 2.5 million shares of common stock, at $23.75 per share, to eliminate bank debt, which stood at $55 million at the end of the first quarter, according to Titan Controller Kent Hackamack.