AKRON, OH -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has hired Kevin Olifiers, a logistics and supply chain management professional, to lead those efforts within its North American Tire (NAT) business unit.

Olifiers, most recently director of supply chain and logistics for SVP Worldwide, a leading maker of sewing machines and accessories, has been named vice president, supply chain-NAT. Olifiers will report to Richard Kramer, president of NAT and Chris Clark, Goodyear's senior vice president for global sourcing.

"An advantaged supply chain is one of Goodyear's Seven Strategic Drivers and has been identified for 2007 as a focus area to drive a competitive advantage," said Kramer. "Kevin has the experience in supply chain transformation to lead NAT to the next level of performance in the areas of cost, customer service and inventory management."

Prior to joining SVP Worldwide, Olifiers had a lengthy career with Kodak in a variety of management positions in logistics and supply chain, including several international assignments.

Olifiers holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology.

He replaces Patrick Hurley, whose new assignment within Goodyear will be announced at a later date. Hurley will work closely with Olifiers during the transition period.