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Those infamous tires The world's largest rubber manufacturer and the nation's largest maker of car and truck tires, Goodyear has the most famous dirigible since the Hindenberg spreading its name across the sky. Founded in 1898 by an Akron inventor, Goodyear initially produced bicycle and carriage tires. Quickly targeting the nascent automobile industry, the company was already the world's leading maker of tires for cars by 1916. During the course of the 20th century, Goodyear has expanded worldwide and currently boasts 49 plants in 30 countries and six rubber plantations in Guatemala and Indonesia. The company has also expanded into new industries - it now produces automotive belts and hoses, and operates an extensive chemical division. Rolling along In 1997, Goodyear formed a strategic alliance with Sumitomo Rubber Industries of Japan. It was a move that eased market pressure on the company, since Sumitomo owns Dunlop, Goodyear's top U.S. competitor. Goodyear bought 75 percent of Sumitomo in 1999 to heighten its presence in Japanese and European markets where Sumitomo is strong. The company has also announced a technology sharing agreement with competitor Michelin for "no-flat" tires. Under the agreement, the companies will have access to each others' research but will keep whatever profits they make. Goodyear knows how to cut costs too. The company laid off 2,800 employees worldwide because of its alliance with Sumitomo and sold its Celeron subsidiary to Plain Resources for $420 million in order to concentrate more on its core tire business. Celeron operated the All American Pipeline, the longest crude oil pipeline in the U.S. Furthermore, Goodyear and Sumitomo plan to open six joint ventures in Europe, Japan, and North America by fall 1999, with an expected increase in profit of $300 million. Goodyear will control the North American and European divisions, while Sumitomo will control the Japanese division. The joint ventures are part of Goodyear's plan to achieve savings of $300 million a year by 2002. To accomplish this, Goodyear has decided to elect a separate president to oversee each Strategic Business Unit and to split the current European Unit into two parts - the European Unit business and the Eastern Europe, Africa, and Middle East Region business. Goodyear is also suspending the construction of a new tire factory in Brazil until 2001 due to declining car sales and has scrapped a $25 million expansion of its Akron headquarters. Repairs at the top When Bill Sharp, president of Goodyear's North American operations, retired in 2000, the company took the opportunity to ravamp senior management. The tire company had been struggling recently with supply difficulties, low earnings and plant closings.
A truly international company, Goodyear personnel range from Indonesian plantation workers to Akron corporate officers. Although much hiring is done by the various divisions within the country, applicants can send resumes to the human resources department at the corporate headquarters. In America, Goodyear conducts campus interviews, and promising applicants are often asked to visit a Goodyear facility where they undergo a series of further interviews. One contact says all interviewees must take an hour and a half "multiple choice personality test to assess integrity, willingness to work, and degree of management potential." Most college graduates should expect to start work in the company headquarters based in Akron. Goodyear insiders note that once hired, a person can "try out several areas in the company before picking which department to work for." The company also offers a co-op and summer internship program for college students pursuing engineering, marketing, or technically related degree programs. Applicants can visit the company web page to view a listing of available positions within the company. In 1997, Goodyear settled a 15-day strike with their plant workers, resulting in an average working wage of $18 per hour supporting some contacts claims that the pay is "above average."
The working world Corporate employees say that Goodyear fosters a "team-oriented" approach to problem-solving in a "formal" atmosphere. Goodyear employees frequently work "Monday through Saturday workweeks." One Goodyear insider reports that "the work is hard and the pay is good." Managers can expect to work 45 to 55 hour weeks but may have the option to work at home using the internet and Local Area Networks. Some contacts claim they "love working at Goodyear." Others, however, are sick of the constant change the company has been experiencing and say "the administration is sometimes a nightmare." "We've had a lot of cut backs over the last two years and it's hard to keep up with the work" reports one Goodyear insider. Parks and blimps Overall, most Goodyear insiders agree that the company "prides itself on people of different backgrounds working together to achieve a common goal." The company even offers training programs to promote diversity. Contacts claim the "austere" workplace provides "few perks," but employees do receive "one set of tires each year at store cost" as well as the "occasional" chance to "catch a free ride" when the Goodyear Blimp comes to town. Other insiders note that "there is a gym facility, a travel agency, and an employee activities office on site." Employees are also granted access to Wingfoot Lake Park which one contact described as "a very nice family park."
Human Resources
Car and truck tire;Rubber;Chemicals;Conveyor belts;Oil transportation
Continental AG;Midas;Pep Boys;Pirelli Tire More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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