AKRON—John C. Orr, president and CEO of Akron-based Myers Industries Inc., will retire as an officer effective Dec. 31, the company said in a July 23 news release.
A Myers spokesperson said Orr would remain on the company's board until the 2016 annual meeting. The release said the board of directors will work with DHR International Inc. to find a successor.
“Myers has a great future, and it's important to me to work with the board to find a top rate replacement and to ensure an orderly transition,” Orr said in a statement. “By announcing today, we have time to successfully accomplish this task.”
Myers Industries makes polymers for a variety of industries and is a distributor of tools, equipment and other supplies for the tire, wheel and under-vehicle service markets.
Orr was hired in 2000 as part of Myers' succession strategy and became president and CEO in 2005, according to the release. He helped to transform the company, in part by consolidating the business into its two current operating segments of distribution and material handling.
According to Myers' website, prior to joining the company Orr had a 28-year career with Goodyear, where he served as vice president of manufacturing for the North American Tire Division since 1996.
He joined the tire maker in 1972, holding positions in production and plant management throughout the U.S., Canada and Australia until 1991, when he was named director of manufacturing for Goodyear's Latin American Division. Orr is a graduate of Ohio University, with a degree in organizational communication.
Myers' website said he serves as a director of Akron Children's Hospital, the United Way of Summit County and Libbey Inc.—a producer of consumer and industrial glassware.
Myers is an international manufacturer of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial and consumer markets. Its Myers Tire Supply subsidiary is a wholesale distributor of tools, equipment and supplies for the tire, wheel and undervehicle service industry in the U.S.
Tire Business contributed to this report.