Taylor takes helm at Titan Wheel QUINCY, Ill.—Maurice Taylor Jr. has assumed the post of president of Titan Wheel Corp. following the resignation of Michael Samide.
Mr. Samide, who also served as vice president of Titan International Inc., resigned for personal reasons connected with a family illness, Titan said.
Mr. Taylor's top priority as president of Titan Wheel is the continued development of the LSW assembly program.
``This will be a smooth transition as I have worked closely with Mike in our wheel operation,'' Mr. Taylor said.
Cooper aligns itself with TRIB
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has joined the Tire Retread Information Bureau.
The Findlay, Ohio-based tire maker is the sixth tire manufacturer to support TRIB, joining Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., Goodyear, Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Michelin North America and Sumitomo Tire.
``We are very pleased that Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has decided to support TRIB,'' said Managing Director Harvey Brodsky. ``They, along with other new-tire manufacturer members, realize that TRIB's efforts on behalf of retreading benefit the entire truck tire industry.''
Goodyear closes Brad Ragen deal
AKRON—Goodyear has finalized its purchase of Brad Ragan Inc. and is now sole owner.
Goodyear acquired the remaining 556,924 shares of Brad Ragan common stock it didn't own previously at $37.25 per share, or approximately $20.7 million.
Brad Ragan operates 116 retail stores in the southeast and 53 commercial outlets in 19 states.
Toyo returns as NIRA sponsor
LOS ANGELES—Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. is one of the first sponsors of the National Import Racing Association's 1999 racing series.
Toyo returns as a sponsor and will be represented prominently during the events scheduled for the 1999 season at venues throughout the U.S.
Hunter, SPX sign agreement
BRIDGETON, Mo.—Hunter Engineering Co. and SPX Corp.'s Vehicle Service Solutions have signed a recent agreement to benefit both companies' sales and service efforts in North America.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hunter's U.S. service organization will provide service for SPX's wheel service customers in most of the U.S. SPX will make its customer list, service parts and documentation available to Hunter's U.S. service organization and will conduct training sessions.
Hunter also will be licensed to use SPX wheel alignment patents and trademarks related to wheel service in the U.S. and Canada.
In Canada, SPX will become the sole agent for distributing Hunter equipment.
RPN honors Denman's Wright
AKRON—Rubber & Plastics News, a sister publication of Tire Business, has named Denman Tire Corp.'s Charles R. Wright as its 1998 Rubber Industry Executive of the Year.
Since joining Leavittsburg, Ohio-based Denman as president and CEO in 1993, Mr. Wright has turned around a sputtering tire manufacturer into a strong, growing company, RPN reported.
Denman's sales have doubled since 1991 to $70 million in 1997.
Tire Rack gets award nomination
SOUTH BEND, Ind.—The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences has nominated The Tire Rack's "Inside Track" Web site for a Webby Award.
The award recognizes Web sites for creativity and innovation. Tire Rack's site at www.tirerack.com features tire and wheel product information, and an interactive, visual wheel fitment guide.
Tire Rack has been nominated in the commerce category along with four other Web sites: amazon.com, CDNOW, e-bay and Gap Online. Web users can vote online until Feb. 19 for the People's Voice portion of the awards at www.webbyawards.com.