Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America recently announced important organizational and operational changes in the motorcycle division. Effective Jan. 1, 2013, select business functions of the company will relocate from Buffalo, N.Y., to the Akron, Ohio, headquarters of Goodyear. These will include non-field-based sales positions, marketing, customer service, supply chain and non-plant-related human resources.
The company says the move aims to enhance quality customer service, while also adding resources to the motorcycle division. To capitalize on the benefits of being close to the production facilities, Dunlop’s research and development department will remain in Buffalo.
From an organizational standpoint, Mike Buckley has been promoted to senior vice president — sales, marketing and R&D, and will assume the additional management responsibilities for R&D at the Buffalo plant.
In addition, Mike Manning has been promoted to the newly created position of general manager — marketing. In his new expanded role, Manning will oversee all aspects of marketing in each of the targeted market segments. He will report directly to Buckley.
“Dunlop has always delivered market-driven, industry leading products to powersports customers,” said Chuck Mick, president and chairman of Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America. “These organizational changes will lead to even better and more timely new products.”
