Goodyear names retreading GM
AKRON—Goodyear has appointed Armond Boyes general manager of its North American retreading operations.
Mr. Boyes is responsible for overseeing Goodyear's Next-Tred retreading program, including the design, development and sales of Next-Tred products and the installation of retread plants throughout North America. He replaced JB Jaboor, who became director of original equipment tires for commercial accounts.
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Boyes served as manager of retread engineering and Q-tech support for Goodyear's North American operations.
CGT profits fall in 3rd quarter
HANNOVER, Germany—Continental General Tire Inc.'s operating profits for the first nine months of 2000 fell 43 percent from 1999 levels to $26 million, while sales rose 5 percent to $1.23 billion.
The U.S. unit's experience was in keeping with the rest of parent Continental A.G.'s tire operations, which suffered from the effects of rising raw material prices and competitive pricing worldwide.
To counteract these forces, Continental is raising tire prices globally, effective Jan. 1.
The downturn in profits from its tire business offset double-digit growth in sales and earnings by its automotive systems business. Conti's nine-month operating earnings stayed flat at $363 million although overall sales climbed 11 percent to $7 billion.
Ford considering tire warranties
DEARBORN, Mich.—Ford Motor Co. is looking at the possibility of offering tire warranties, a spokeswoman for the auto maker said. No additional details were available.
General Motors Corp., since 1996, is the only car maker that offers a warranty on its original equipment tires.
Monro to add Goodyear lines
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Monro Muffler Brake Inc. is adding Goodyear as a second line of tires at its 529 Monro Muffler and Speedy Muffler locations, said Robert G. Gross, president and CEO.
The change from a Firestone-only product offering is part of the firm's plan to broaden its business and attract new customers, he said.
Monro will start carrying the Goodyear Integrity line the week of Dec. 4. The chain has offered Firestone lines exclusively since 1997. Publicity from the Firestone recall played a role in the decision to add Goodyear, Mr. Gross said.
He expects the second line will help the company expand its tire revenues to 10 to 12 percent of sales from 7 percent.
Cooper, Michelin settle with union
AKRON—The United Steelworkers of America has reached three-year master contract agreements with Michelin North America Inc. and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
The Michelin agreement covers about 4,000 workers at three union-organized Uniroyal Goodrich plants—in Tuscaloosa and Opelika, Ala., and Fort Wayne, Ind.—and provides for wage and pension benefit increases. Michelin operates seven other non-union tire plants in the U.S.
The contract, which runs through April 23, 2003, calls for an increase in wages of 65 cents an hour, carried out in three steps in December each year, the USWA said. The previous contract expired in April, but workers stayed on the job as the two sides bargained on day-to-day extensions. It also calls for wage and pension benefit increases.
Cooper's settlement covers 960 active employees and 500 retirees at its Findlay, Ohio, plant
The USWA still must handle a mid-term reopener for workers at Yokohama Tire Corp.'s Salem, Va., tire factory.
TB subscription prices going up
AKRON—Tire Business is raising its subscription price by $3, to $68 a year, in response to higher newsprint and postage costs. The change is effective Jan. 1.
In Canada, the price of a one-year subscription will rise to $93, including GST. Subscriptions to the Middle East and Europe will increase to $163, while those to all other countries will be $228.
Paid subscribers, besides receiving the newspaper every other week, also have full-access to the Tire Business Web site—www.tirebusiness.
Next issue...
Tire Business will publish its next issue Jan. 1, 2001. To keep up with industry news over the holidays, be sure to check out the Tire Business Web site at www.tirebusiness.com, which will be updated daily with the latestnews.