Goodyear secures off-take Russian supplier, streamlining European brand lineup

NEW YORK (Feb. 16)—As part of its efforts to streamline operations and control costs, Goodyear has secured an off-take manufacturing source for supplying tires to Russia, and said it will eliminate eight brands it uses in Europe. Goodyear declined to identify its off-take supplier, but said the deal covers Goodyear-brand tires for both the replacment and original equipment tire markets in Russia. The European brands to be dropped are Delta, Diplomat, Durant, India, Ohtsu, Seal, Trident and Voyager. Instead, Goodyear will devote more resources to promoting eight remaining brands: Goodyear and its associated brands of Fulda, Kelly and Sava, and Dunlop and its associated brands Debica, Falken and Pneumant. The Ohtsu and Falken brands are owned by Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., which is Goodyear´s partner in the global Dunlop alliance.