RubberNetwork online

ATLANTA (Feb. 9)—RubberNetwork.com L.L.C., a global electronic purchasing and procurement marketplace created by six leading tire and rubber companies, has put its Web site online in preparation to start business by April. The electronic marketplace initially will focus on the purchasing services of the founding companies and other industry participants, the company said. Service offerings will be tailored to the needs of individual companies through a range of specific consulting offerings. Beyond procurement services, RubberNetwork plans to offer marketplace solutions such as e-catalogs, auctions, reverse auctions, requests for proposals and quotes and supply chain management. RubberNetwork is owned and operated by Continental A.G., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear, Pirelli S.p.A., Groupe Michelin and Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. They represent about half of the industry´s global tire manufacturing capacity. Total purchases for the industry are estimated at more than $50 billion a year on raw materials, equipment, machinery, goods and services.