NORTHVALE, N.J.-Perry County Tire in Hazard, Ky., has become the first certified OTR Tire Repair Specialist under a new program from Rema Tip Top/North America Inc. The dealership has served mining, quarry and construction fleets in eastern Kentucky, northern Tennessee and western Virginia for more than a decade.
The program requires dealers and retreaders be ``loyal'' Rema customers, follow Rema-established repair procedures, undertake on-going training, have an established quality control program, be recognized by their customers as a ``high quality facility'' and have a high employee retention rate.
Stan Gault praised for superb career
NEW YORK-Goodyear Chairman Stanley C. Gault received the first Financial World magazine ``Career Achievement Award'' in New York, March 7.
``Mr. Gault's energy, personal confidence and manifest belief in the capabilities of his workers, introduction of high tech-nology and application of marketing smarts have brought Goodyear all the way back. . . ,'' Financial World said.
Mr. Gault accepted the award on behalf of his associates at Goodyear and former associates at General Electric and Rubbermaid, where he served before joining Goodyear in 1991.
Taylor drops out of presidential race
SOUTHFIELD, Mich.-Morry Taylor, president of Titan Wheel International, has dropped out of the Republican presidential race.
Mr. Taylor spent $6.5 million of his own money on the effort, but earned few votes and no delegates.
OTR retreads now part of ARA contest
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Off-the-road earthmover and loader retreads will be included for the first time in the ``Retread Appearance Contest'' held during the American Retreaders Association's World Tire Conference and Exhibition in Louisville, April 17-20.
Retreads up to 5-feet in diameter with cross sections of 1400 millimeters through 23.5 inches and maximum 25-inch bead diameter, will be eligible in precure, mold cure and kettle cure (non-precure) divisions.
Calif. bill proposes $2 fee on new tires
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-Repre-sentatives of the Modesto Energy Project tires-to-energy plant have introduced a bill in the California legislature that would charge a $2 fee on each new tire sold in the state and establish an incentive payment program to scrap tire recyclers and tires-to-energy projects.
The Western States Tire & Automotive Service Association-which began a postcard campaign last fall protesting the proposed fee in anticipation of the bill's introduction-said it will continue to lobby against the bill.
Currently, California collects a 25-cent disposal fee on old tires left with tire retailers.
Yokohama to close two U.S. warehouses
FULLERTON, Calif.-Yokohama Tire Corp. has cut 65 positions nationwide and closed its Houston and Bridgeport, N.J., warehouses to reduce costs and streamline its distribution, sales and marketing departments.
The company retains distribution centers in Atlanta, Columbus, Louisville, Ky., and Fullerton. The changes will be ``transparent'' to Yokohama dealers and consumers, a company spokeswoman said.
Firm to handle search for NTDRA director
WASHINGTON-The National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association has appointed Russell Reynolds Associates Inc. to assist its search committee in replacing Executive Vice President Philip P. Friedlander Jr., who will retire this year.
Those interested in the position should contact: Eric L. Vautour, Russell Reynolds Associates Inc., 1700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 850, Washington, D.C. 20006; Phone: (202) 628-2150. Fax: (202) 331-9348.
Reaching TB...
AKRON-TIRE BUSINESS' telephone area code has changed. The office number is: (330) 836-9180; Fax: (330) 836-2831.