As of Feb. 1, 2008, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will combine some of its once separate overseas business units into one. The new region combines Goodyear operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Arthur de Bok, former president of Goodyear’s European Union unit, was named president of the new business unit, and Michel Rzonzef, former vice president of sales and marketing for the Eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa unit, was appointed president of that segment of the combined unit.

The new region is Goodyear's largest geographic business region and second largest, after North America, in annual sales. Annual combined revenue for the new region in 2006 was $6.5 billion.

"While the two former regions are different in terms of approach to the market there are also many similarities which are increasing, especially with the introduction of the new EU member states,” said Goodyear Chairman and CEO Bob Keegan. “This new organization is structured to accelerate growth and maximize earnings through simplicity, speed and an intense focus on our customers and markets."