Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled until 2022
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
    • Sumitomo adds treadwear-detection to 'Sensor Core' toolkit
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
      U.S. high-performance tire sector hit harder than overall market
      New McLaren supercar incorporates Pirelli's Cyber Tyre system
    • TravelCenters plans 6 TA Express sites in California in 2021
      Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
      Execs: Goodyear acquisition of Cooper will benefit dealers
      Cooper's 2020 operating income up 33% despite lower sales
    • TravelCenters plans 6 TA Express sites in California in 2021
      Carlisle TyrFil broadens recycling technology options
      U.K. retreader Vaculug to promote tread rubber supplier Vipal
      TMC moves spring conference online, sets trade show for September
    • Cooper expands recall of Cooper, Mastercraft grand-touring tires
      DOT issues 13 tire plant ID codes in 2020
      Commerce reduces import duty for Cheng Shin/Maxxis
      Hankook to boost capacity at U.S. plant
    • U.K. retreader Vaculug to promote tread rubber supplier Vipal
      Execs: Goodyear acquisition of Cooper will benefit dealers
      Cooper's 2020 operating income up 33% despite lower sales
      Sumitomo adds treadwear-detection to 'Sensor Core' toolkit
    • Bridgestone World Solar Challenge canceled due to pandemic restrictions
      Pirelli, Goodyear ink sedan racing series contracts in Canada, Europe
      Goodyear extends partnership with Nürburgring race circuit
      BFG to support ATV/UTV racers in WORCS series
    • Carlisle TyrFil broadens recycling technology options
      New McLaren supercar incorporates Pirelli's Cyber Tyre system
      Hunter Engineering teams with Xtime inspection platform
      Yokohama claims AI-based compounding advancement
    • NPW hires Switzer as national sales manager
      Tire dealers see possibilities in Goodyear, Cooper deal
      Cooper expands recall of Cooper, Mastercraft grand-touring tires
      Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
    • Marinucci: Effective road test may eliminate issues
      Our View: Shops must alter ways to attract, retain talent
      Openbay integrates messaging platform with Shop Boss
      'Talent magnets' lure quality applicants to job
    • SEMA scholarships and loan forgiveness now available
      WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
    • Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
    • Tire dealers see possibilities in Goodyear, Cooper deal
      USW: Goodyear-Cooper deal elicits concern, optimism
      Execs: Goodyear acquisition of Cooper will benefit dealers
      Timelines: Goodyear and Cooper Tire
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
      Sponsored By AppointmentPlus
      Three Important Lessons Learned for the Tire Business During a Pandemic
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
      Choosing the right balancing equipment
    • Video: Demounting
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
      Staying safe when demounting and mounting tires
      Demounting Equipment
    • Video: Safety
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
      Protecting your people with proper hygiene
      Making friends with OSHA
    • Video: Tire Repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
      Tire repair: Shining a light on visual inspections
    • Video: TMPS Service
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
      Decoding sensor data for TPMS diagnosis
    • Video: Training
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
      Shop Floor: Scholarships
      Advantages of apprentice program partnerships
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
      Recommendations for using a jack
      Jack stands for commercial tire service
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
      Using torque sticks to speed service times
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Awards
    • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
May 11, 2001 02:00 AM

Cooper's John Fahl looks to retirement

Sherri Begin, Crain News Service
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    FINDLAY, Ohio (May 11, 2001)–John Fahl has grand plans of visiting faraway lands when he retires June 1 as president of the tire group at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., but he won't sever his ties to the region he's always called home.

    Born and raised in Arlington, Ohio, 10 miles south of Cooper's Findlay base, the 46-year Cooper veteran attended Denison University after graduating from high school but returned to his native city a short time later. “There was this young lady back home, and I was just in love,” he said. Mr. Fahl married when he was 19. He had begun attending the local college but soon quit to take a job working in the labs at Cooper. “What I really wanted was to get into coaching and teaching,” he said. “But obviously, I needed to get a job.”

    He worked his way through the company, becoming director of purchasing a decade later in 1965. Times were tough then as consolidation in the tire industry took off. Cooper's suppliers often asked Mr. Fahl whether the company would survive. “Then here comes Bill Fitzgerald and Pat Rooney,” the first two presidents of Cooper's tire group, he said. “By 1993 when Pat turned it (the tire group) over to me, we were probably one of the most successful tire makers in the world,” with tire sales of $999 million and $154 million in operating profit.

    As the third president of Cooper's tire group, Mr. Fahl said it was a little intimidating to follow in their footsteps. Like them, he advanced tire sales, up to $1.8 billion last year. But he also took the group down a global path through the 1997 acquisition of Avon Tyres Ltd. and the 1999 strategic alliance with Pirelli S.p.A.

    Mr. Fahl was instrumental in signing Arnold Palmer as Cooper's spokesman. “What Arnold did was bring instant recognition to Cooper Tire,” he said. “The Cooper brand, since we signed him (in 1997), has grown almost four-and-a-half times what the industry has grown.” In 1993, 46 percent of all of the tires the firm sold were Cooper brand. Last year, 62 percent were, Mr. Fahl said. “I have said internally that's probably the one thing I'm proudest of.”

    Perhaps the greatest legacy Mr. Fahl feels he will leave behind is the people at Cooper. “I'm probably more optimistic about the future of Cooper today than I've ever been,” he said

    During a recent visit with one of his friends, John T. Lampe–Bridgestone/ Firestone Inc. chairman, president and CEO–Mr. Fahl said the two discussed what has changed most about the tire industry over the past four-and-a-half decades. Consolidation, certainly, has honed the number of U.S.-owned tire makers from about 12 in 1960 to two today. And the number of plants also has dwindled. “But the biggest change that I've seen in this industry is the quality of products,” Mr. Fahl said. “There's absolutely no question that the quality of the products produced by our industry is absolutely the best it's ever been.”

    Although he will resign his position on Cooper's board of directors at the end of May, Mr. Fahl will remain on three non-rubber boards and will keep busy helping out with the small, family-owned travel business his daughter-in-law runs in the area. “I've also been asked to continue to do some consulting work in the rubber industry,” he said.

    Under the heading of fun, Mr. Fahl is drafting a list of 100 things he wants to do “before the Good Lord says, 'Why don't you come up here with me?' ” Items on the list include playing more golf with his 14-year-old grandson; enjoying the home he and his wife are building in Naples, Fla.; remaining a resident of Findlay; and taking a trip to Africa with his wife Janet, Dick White, the former president of Bayer Chemical, and Mr. White's wife Joan.

    “I really want to do some fun things because I think that's part of what keeps you young,” he said.

    Not surprisingly, he also plans to stay in touch with his friends at Cooper. “I'm not going to miss getting on another plane or spending the night in another hotel, but I'm desperately going to miss the people I worked with, (and) the dealers I came in contact with,” Mr. Fahl said. “I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss them.”

    Ms. Begin writes for Rubber & Plastics News, a sister publication of Tire Business.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • Awards
      • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award