Cooper Drops Starfire Brand in North America
FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber has reportedly ceased production of its Starfire associate tire range in North America, and the company may further reduce the number of brands it sells. Manufacture of Starfire tires ended last year and, as inventories are now mostly depleted, Cooper has begun recommending ‘suitable alternatives’ for dealers that
Cooper Promotes Five in Sales, Marketing
From TireReview.com Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. made changes to its sales and marketing group, including the addition of new posts within the company. Phil Kortokrax was promoted to the newly created position of vice president of dealer channel sales. Previously he was general manager of Cooper’s Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels unit. Adam
Cooper to Close Athens, GA, Race Tire Plant
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has taken the first steps toward closing its Athens, GA, retread rubber and racing tire plant by the end of summer. The tiremaker filed paperwork with the Security and Exchange Commission yesterday outlining the write-down it expects to take as a result of the action. Cooper said it would close the plant within “two to three months,” putting some 140 employees out of work. The tiremaker said its own evaluation showed the plants production of race tires and retread stock could be absorbed by its other facilities.
Cooper Appoints Keller to Head Motorsports Program
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has named James Keller to vice president, competition and enthusiast products, effective August 15.
Cooper Tire to Begin Race Tire Production in the U.S.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced today that it plans to begin production of racing tires at its Athens, Ga., manufacturing facility. The facility currently produces retread materials. The company said it will invest $11 million into the project during the next two years. Conversion to motorsports tires should begin immediately with developmental tire production beginning in early 2005.