Cooper picks interim VP of Asian operations

Findlay, Ohio - Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has named Ron Shield interim vice president and general manager for Asian operations, succeeding Gene Arnold, who is retiring.

Shield recently retired from Cooper´s European operations after 20 years with Cooper, the company said. He was named vice president, European Operations and managing director for Cooper Tire Europe in 2001.

He will replace Arnold, who will retire May 31. As president of Cooper Asia Pacific, Arnold helped negotiate the company´s outsourcing relationship with Chinese tire maker Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd., formulated the joint venture relationship with Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. and played a role in Cooper´s acquisition of Shandong Chengshan Tire Co. Ltd.

He also set up Cooper´s Asian Trading Co. for selling the Cooper brand in China.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)