Frank Seiberling's daughter dies AKRON—Irene Seiberling Harrison, daughter of Goodyear founder Frank A. Seiberling, died Jan. 21 in Akron. She was 108.
Mrs. Harrison, the second of Frank and Gertrude Seiberling's seven children, was born Feb. 25, 1890. At age 8, she played a historic role by pulling the switch that marked the start of Goodyear's Akron operations.
In 1957, Mrs. Harrison and other members of the Seiberling family turned over Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the family's tudor mansion, to a non-profit foundation that now operates the home for public tours, art shows and other events.
``Mrs. Harrison's childhood memories of Goodyear's early days and of her father helped put a personal touch on our history as the company celebrated its centennial last year,'' said Goodyear Chairman Samir Gibara.
She is survived by her son Robert, of Seattle; daughters Sally Cochran, of Akron; Gertrude Clawson, of Martinas, Calif.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Titan estimates 1998 earnings
QUINCY, Ill.—Titan International Inc. expects its 1998 earnings to range between 36 and 39 cents on a diluted earnings per share basis.
The off-highway wheel manufacturer said sales and earnings in 1998 were strong until the United Steelworkers of America declared strikes at the company's Des Moines, Iowa, and Natchez, Miss., tire plants.
``The cost of the strikes has negatively impacted Titan's earnings,'' said President and CEO Maurice Taylor Jr. ``However, for the continued growth and strength of the company, we believe the actions we have been pursuing were necessary and will increase shareholder value over the long term.''
The Des Moines facility currently is operating at 70 percent capacity with full capacity forecasted to be reached in the second quarter. The Natchez plant is nearing its pre-strike output.
Carlisle acquires wheel maker
SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Carlisle Companies Inc. said its Carlisle Tire & Wheel Co. acquired privately held Global Manufacturers Corp. of Paramount, Calif. Jan. 28.
Terms of the transaction weren't disclosed. Global is a manufacturer of stamped steel wheels for industrial and recreational applications and of styled wheels for the automotive aftermarket.
Carlisle also bought Global's affiliate, Acro-Coat Inc., which offers specialty painting and coatings services to the wheel market.
Uniroyal launches Internet site
GREENVILLE, S.C.—Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co., a unit of Michelin North America, has unveiled a new Web site.
The site, www.uniroyal.com, features a product catalog, dealer locator, tire selector and a get-to-know-Uniroyal section.
Accuride intends to purchase JV
HENDERSON, Ky.—Accuride Corp. intends to purchase Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp.'s 50 percent share of AKW L.P.
Accuride is a manufacturer and supplier of wheels for heavy/medium trucks and trailers. The firm also produces wheels for buses, commercial light trucks, sport-utility vehicles and passenger cars.
AKW is a joint venture between Kaiser and Accuride that was formed in 1997 to design, manufacture and sell heavy-duty aluminum wheels.
The proposed sale price wasn't disclosed. The deal is set to close during the first quarter.
Robbins creates Internet site
MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala.—Robbins L.L.C. has established a Web site for product and dealer contact information at www.RobbinsLLC.com.
Robbins is a major producer of curing tubes and envelopes for the retread industry.
Bill would give Y2K tax credits
WASHINGTON—Congress is considering a bill providing tax credits to small businesses seeking to make their computer systems Y2K compliant.
Introduced Jan. 6 by Rep. Karen L. Thurman (D-Fla.), HR 179 would allow small businesses to deduct up to a maximum of $40,000 in Y2K-related expenses from their annual gross income.
The proposal also would permit accelerated depreciation of the cost of computers, peripheral devices and software previously purchased in answer to the Y2K problem.