Goodyear execs detail company efforts in recession

Tire Business staff report

Fort Washington, Maryland - An estimated 1350 independent Goodyear tyre dealers attended the tyre maker's annual dealer meeting in the Washington suburb of Fort Washington, company officials said.

Goodyear chose to go ahead with the meeting during the tough economic times, not only to have face-to-face discussions with its dealers at a crucial time, but also to give dealers a chance to talk to each other, said Goodyear chairman and ceo Robert Keegan in his keynote address.

"We really love our decision to go ahead with this conference, and from your applause I sense you do, too," Keegan said to the audience of dealers 1-4 Feb.

Goodyear is meeting the challenge of a bleak economic forecast through product innovation-introducing 12 new tyres this year in the consumer line alone-and seeking those markets that offer the greatest opportunities. As always, he said, the company looks to the talent within its organization, including its dealer organization, to help the company advance.

"Our goal is to have a successful year, and we can do that," he said. "When the economy rebounds, we want to be positioned for outstanding success. There will be times when we won't be having fun in 2009. But what it will be is a springboard for future success."

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Staff report from Tire Business (a Crain publication)