2014 Newsmakers a diverse group

AKRON (Dec. 23, 2014) — Tire Business' Newsmakers for 2014 is a diverse group, selected for their impact on the North American marketplace, both short- and long-term.

The 2014 Newsmakers — as determined by the editorial staff of Tire Business — are:

Giti Tire Group Executive Chairman Dr. Enki Tan, who led the company's search for an appropriate site for the firm's first U.S. tire plant. Giti settled on Chester County, S.C., for a $560 million tire plant that will turn out 5 million tires annually at full capacity.

Former tire dealer and auto repair shop owner Matt Curry, who has turned a service recharging hybrid vehicle batteries into a separate business, The Hybrid Shop L.L.C., that is now franchising the concept to other car repair shops and tire dealerships nationwide as well as internationally.

Ricky Brooks, CEO of Express Oil Change & Service Center L.L.C., is transforming the fast lube chain into a tire retailing and auto service provider, following the acquisition in late 2013 of Tire Engineers Car Care Centers.

United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard led the union's efforts to get elevated import duties imposed on consumer tire imports from China — for the second time in five years.

American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc. President Bill Berry, who oversaw ATD's acquisition spree — gobbling up four more major competitors, pushing the wholesaler to the $5 billion annual sales threshold — and beyond.