FINDLAY, Ohio (May 17, 2007) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has named Ron Shield as interim vice president and general manager for the tire maker's Asian operations to replace the unit's retiring president.
Mr. Shield recently retired from Cooper's European operations after 20 years with Cooper, the company said. He was named vice president, European Operations and managing director for Cooper Tire Europe in 2001.
He will replace Gene Arnold, who will retire May 31. As president of Cooper Asia Pacific, Mr. Arnold helped negotiate the company's outsourcing relationship with Chinese tire maker Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd., formulated the joint venture relationship with Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., played a role in Cooper's acquisition of Shandong Chengshan Tire Co. Ltd. and set up Cooper's Asian Trading Co. for selling the Cooper brand in China.
“All of these activities set the stage for Cooper to be more competitive around the globe and to capitalize on the growing market for tires in China,” the company said in a statement.
Cooper said Mr. Shield's experience in Europe make him qualified to continue the efforts in Asia.