Growth Track: Seawell Says New-Look Hercules Now Ready For Expansion
Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. was formed in 1952 by a group of 21 retreaders looking to work together to bring better pricing and greater impact to their individual businesses. Over the years, Hercules expanded to become one of the top private branders in the U.S., a major player in the retreading industry, a customer
Running Silent: Denman’s New President Quietly Yet Decisively Charts a New Course
Career changes come in many forms, just as challenges do. When Manny Cicero took over as president of Denman Tire Corp. in May, he took on a very challenging career change. Like all small specialty firms, Denman, based in tiny Leavittsburg, Ohio, battles much larger but less agile competitors for sales and share. The tiremaker
Out of the Ordinary: Cooper’s Top Exec Discusses Recent Transformation, Global Ambitions
To get a sense of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and its chairman, president and CEO, you need look no further than Tom Dattilo’s corner office. Unlike the vistas other captains of industry enjoy from their lofty perches, Dattilo’s third-floor office overlooks Oler’s Drive Thru, a convenience store that stands as a stark reminder of
United to Dynamic: Despite Family History, Dynamic’s Sherkin Not Looking Backward
The Sherkin family has a prominent place in the Canadian tire industry. Harry Sherkin started United Tire back in 1944 buying and selling retreads. Brothers Morris, Charles and Joseph joined the company as it grew into a major retreader, private brander and, finally, a manufacturer. The family business was sold to Pensler Capital Corp. in
Change at the Top: Future Looks Bright, But Much Work Left Say Lampe, Emkes
Just hours before John Lampe formally announced his impending retirement as chairman, president and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Tire Review was granted an industry-exclusive interview with Lampe and Mark Emkes, the incoming head of both BAH and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT). This interview, in its original form, was posted seconds after Lampe’s announcement
Poised and Ready: With OE Presence and R&D, ‘Quiet’ Hankook Looks Forward
Jin W. (J.W.) Choi became president and CEO of Hankook Tire America Corp. in 2001, capping a career with Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. that began in 1975. Choi served in a wide variety of management positions for Hankook Tire Co., including international assignments in Iran, Germany and the U.S. Prior to his current assignment with
Growing Up Fast: Focus on Hot Segments Helps Federal Build N.A. Business
Federal Tire President Jamie Ma is only 29 years old, but he has been relentless in working to build up the company his grandfather started in Taiwan almost a half century ago. Ma, who joined Federal in 1998, majored in accounting and finance at the University of California at Berkeley. Federal has expanded its distribution
Playing to Strengths: Yokohama Looks to Technology to Bolster Its Global Position
As the man ultimately in charge of Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC) tire efforts, Hisao Suzuki is in a unique position to see the global tire industry from multiple perspectives. Suzuki has been instrumental in Yokohama’s recent worldwide successes and growth, and in the recovery of Yokohama Tire Corp. here in the U.S. Suzuki, 63, was
Getting it Right: TCI’s Careful Selection of Dealers and Program Offerings is Paying Off
David Snyder, vice president of small tire marketing and sales, has been with Tire Centers LLC (TCI) since the company was formed in January 1986. Back then, TCI was focused on the commercial side of the industry – garnering less than 10% of its overall business from the retail side. All of that changed, however,
Time To Grow: New Home, New Products, New Focus Mannino Says Now is The Time
A year ago this month, Gaetano "Guy" Mannino, 45, became president and CEO of Pirelli Tire North America, and in a whirlwind 12 months he has reshaped Pirelli’s presence in North America. New headquarters and automated manufacturing in Rome, Ga., have given PTNA a fresh start. The end of its alliance with Cooper gave it
The Big Picture: Kumho Wants to be Reliable, Long-Term Supplier
Kyu Cho, 54, has been president of Kumho Tire USA since February 2001, having served previously in variety of global management positions with Kumho operations in Australia, England and Panama, as well as in South Korea. In fact, his international experience started at the beginning; his first job with Kumho Group, which he joined in
Fixed and Focused: Johnson Talks About ATD’s Long Road Back to Shareholder Value
Dick Johnson of American Tire Distributors (formerly Heafner Tire Group) took on quite a task when he was named president and CEO of the Huntersville, N.C., company in February 2001. Massive debt, a highly diversified operation, upset customers and concerned ownership plagued the company and threatened its very existence. Quietly, Johnson and his team have