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Goodyear Moves Forward with Integration of Dunlop Joint Venture

18 May 2000

Goodyear Moves Forward with Integration of Dunlop Joint Venture

    AKRON, Ohio, May 18 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
today took another step in its effort to integrate the Goodyear and Dunlop
operations with the announcement that it will rationalize passenger and light
truck tire production within the company's joint venture with Sumitomo Rubber
Industries Ltd. in Europe.
    This move, which will result in substantial cost savings and synergies for
the Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe joint venture, will involve discontinuing the
production of passenger and light truck tires at the Dunlop Tyres UK plant in
Birmingham, England, and moving it to other joint venture plants in Europe.
Earlier this year, Goodyear's Italian tire plant was closed and commercial
truck tire manufacturing discontinued at Dunlop's Birmingham plant as part of
the company's European rationalization effort.
    "This rationalization is part of our plan to integrate Goodyear and Dunlop
operations in Europe," said Vernon L. Dunckel, Goodyear's senior vice
president of global product supply.  "As we combine the businesses, we will
take full advantage of synergies that allow us to become more efficient and to
grow."
    Passenger and light truck tire production at the Dunlop Birmingham plant
will be phased out by the end of this year.  It is anticipated that up to
600 jobs will be eliminated in the fourth quarter.
    In November 1999, Goodyear announced the closure of its tire plant in
Argentina as part of the overall global rationalization program.