Whirlpool exec to lead Cooper's North American operations

FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has promoted Phil Kortokrax to senior vice president, global operations and procurement, and hired Whirlpool Corp. executive Christopher Ball to succeed him as senior vice president and president of North America Tire Operations.

Mr. Ball, a 15-year Whirlpool veteran, will be responsible for formulating and driving execution of strategic plans to grow Cooper's business within the dealer-distributor network as well as in new sales channels, Cooper said.

He will partner with the company's operations and technical teams in the U.S., which focus on the design and manufacture of tires in the firm's four tire plants, along with supply-chain operations.

His appointment is effective March 19.

Cooper President and CEO Brad Hughes said Mr. Ball is a "talented global executive with significant commercial experience and the energy and demonstrated leadership capabilities to help us achieve our strategic growth objectives."

Most recently, he was global vice president for Whirlpool's KitchenAid small appliance business and has held leadership positions in Whirlpool's Laundry business, both domestically and internationally.

He also spent two years with General Mills Inc. before joining Whirlpool.

In his new position, Mr. Kortokrax will oversee the company's growing global manufacturing operations, including eight tire plants on three continents, as well as global procurement. He also is responsible for Cooper's emerging global OE and worldwide radial truck and bus tire businesses.

A 30-year company veteran, Mr. Kortokrax was promoted to the North American vice presidency in early 2015, after serving three years as vice president of North American manufacturing.

Mr. Hughes said Mr. Kortokrax, a 30-year company veteran, brings "deep expertise" to his new role.

"We look forward to his contributions as we work to continuously improve product quality, maintain our focus on safety, and continue to enhance efficiencies at our plants around the world," Mr. Hughes said.

Mr. Kortokrax joined Cooper in 1990 as a member of the information technology team, moved into plant operations in 1994, and by 2003, progressed to the position of director – internal audit.

Other posts included general manager of the Mickey Thompson business; vice president — dealer channel sales, North American tire; vice president – strategic marketing and planning.