Cooper Tire Europe names new OE director

Melksham, UK – Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has appointed a former Apollo Vredestein executive René Delonge as sales director, global OE light vehicle tires, the company announced 12 March.

Delonge will be responsible for overseeing and managing sales of original equipment (OE) motorcycle tires, as well as global sales of OE light vehicle tires.

He will build relationships with OE manufacturers and grow Cooper’s business portfolio with global OE partners.

The move is part of Cooper Tire’s strategy to partner with global OE manufacturers to develop high performing products, explained Glenn Arbaugh, executive director, global light vehicle OE strategy & business development.

“We continue to enhance our capabilities in a number of areas to position us for further success in the global OE segment,” he added.

Delonge joins Cooper from Apollo Vredestein BV Amsterdam where he was director of sales for original equipment tires, responsible for Europe and the Americas region.

Prior to this role, Delonge spent 14 years at Hankook Tire as senior manager of its global original equipment business division.

Before entering the tire business, Delonge worked in the auto parts industry, as well as aerospace engineering research.

Delonge holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Applied Science in Aachen in Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.