Becky MacDicken to leave TIA
BOWIE, Md.-Becky MacDicken, director of government affairs with the Tire Industry Association (TIA), is leaving the group Dec. 2 after 5 1/2 years.
Ms. MacDicken is moving to Harrisburg, Pa., to take over the business community outreach function of the newly created Office of Financial Education within the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
Joining the former Tire Association of North America in May 2000, Ms. MacDicken spearheaded the organization's efforts to revive its government relations efforts after a period of dormancy and stayed on after the group merged with the International Tire & Rubber Association to become TIA.
Tirecraft gets new CEO, owner
EDMONTON, Alberta-Jean Michel Locarnini has replaced David E. Cosco as president and CEO of Edmonton-based Tirecraft Auto Centers Ltd.
Mr. Cosco retired from the company Oct. 7 and is serving as a consultant to the firm, according to Ivan Bakkan, Tirecraft's human resources director.
Additionally, Tirecraft's ownership has changed, but the company declined to comment on the sale.
Titan, Goodyear extend deadline
QUINCY, Ill.- Titan International Inc. and Goodyear have extended the deadline to close on the sale of Goodyear's farm tire unit to Dec. 1.
The $100 million deal includes Goodyear's Freeport, Ill., farm tire plant, where Titan must reach collective bargaining agreements with the United Steelworkers prior to purchasing Goodyear's farm tire business.
Yokohama creating holding firm in China
TOKYO-Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. is setting up a holding company in Shanghai, China, to oversee control of its growing business operations in China.
The new company, Yokohama Rubber (China) Co. Ltd., will oversee three existing production and sales companies and two others to start operating next year, Yokohama said.
By establishing a holding company, Yokohama said it expects to improve efficiency by integrating duplicate businesses among its companies and strengthening their functions, including sales promotion and marketing efforts. Yokohama Rubber (China) will be capitalized at $30 million.
TBC shareholders OK Sumitomo deal
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.-TBC Corp.'s shareholders have approved the plan for Sumitomo Corp. of America (SCOA) to buy the retail and wholesale company for about $1.1 billion.
The transaction was expected to close soon, TBC said.
The companies announced the proposed buyout in September.
Goodyear names retail store VP
AKRON-Goodyear has named Brett Ponton vice president of Goodyear North American Consumer Retail, where he will be responsible for all company-owned stores in North America.
Mr. Ponton, who joined Goodyear in 1992, most recently served as the tire maker's vice president of channel marketing. Kelly, associate and custom brand operations reported to him, and he led efforts to drive simplification and improve productivity across all brands, the company said in a statement.
The tire maker's retail operations group oversees 763 company-owned tire stores, 139 of which are under the Just Tires retail format.
Goodyear said it will yet name a successor to Mr. Ponton's former position. His new post is a newly created position, a Goodyear spokesman said.
Senate OKs anti-counterfeiting bill
WASHINGTON-Under a unanimous consent order, the Senate passed the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act, six months after the House passed its own version of the legislation.
The bill strengthens existing anti-counterfeiting law by requiring the forfeit and destruction of all machinery and equipment used to make counterfeit products, as well as banning the unauthorized sale of labels, patches or medallions bearing a registered trademark.
The Senate bill contains an amendment not in the House bill that exempts parties who unknowingly sell counterfeit products over the Internet from seizure of their computer equipment. The bill now goes to House-Senate conference for resolution.
The Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association estimates that product counterfeiting costs the U.S. auto parts industry alone about $12 billion annually.