Events Calendar
In This Section
Hospital connects to patients online
AutoZone to replace Blockbuster in West Akron
Gains in financials, material stocks lift market
Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak
Citigroup shuffles executives, former CFO leaving
GM, Chrysler fight reopening of closed dealerships
YRC, Teamsters reach tentative deal on concessions
Most Read Stories
Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
Woman, 75, charged with beating fawn to death
Akron woman found dead at Brimfield Township store
Man shot outside his Akron home during robbery attempt
Man shot in back near Akron park
Suspect sought in Portage Path bar robbery
Tragic day puts man on path to be Pinnacle owner
Blogs:
Pets:
Dogs' Bark: Not fair! Study shows pups get jealous
The Heldenfiles:
Who Will Get the Michael Media Treatment Next?
Patrick McManamon:
More on Varejao
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State
Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies
Tribe Matters:
Wedge challenges relievers
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN
All Da King's Men:
Does Medicare Have Lower Administrative Costs ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Akron Law Café:
Breaking Story: CIA Lied to Congress about Secret Program
Varsity Letters:
East basketball update
See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?
Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
First 24 'Guitar Hero 5' songs announced
New unit covers Europe, Mideast, Africa and will have $6.5 billion annual revenue
Published on Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007
Beacon Journal staff report
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is combining two of its overseas business units to help take advantage of the markets created in new European Union nations.
Goodyear is putting together its European Union and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa divisions.
At $6.5 billion annually, the new unit will be the Akron-based company's second largest in terms of revenue after the North America tire division and its $9.1 billion annual sales.
The new Europe, Middle East and Africa division will be Goodyear's largest geographic territory and have about 25,000 employees out of a company total of 60,000.
Arthur de Bok, president of the European Union division, will head the larger unit. He will report to Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Keegan. De Bok joined Goodyear in 2005 after 13 years with Procter & Gamble.
Jarro Kaplan, president of the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa business unit, will retire after a 38-year career, the company said.
The division headquarters will be in Brussels, Belgium.
The new organization was designed to accelerate growth and maximize earnings through simplicity, speed and a focus on customers and markets, the company said.
The changes are effective as of Feb. 1. Many service functions, including legal, communications and purchasing, are already shared by the two regions, Goodyear spokesman Keith Price said.
Shares of Goodyear rose 12 cents to $28.56 Monday. Shares are up 36.1 percent since Jan. 1 and are up 61.2 percent from a year ago.
Get the full article here.

