US auto association enlists Goodyear executive

Detroit, Ohio-The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has appointed Tom Bender, director, information technology-North American Tire (NAT) for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., to its board of directors.

Bender's "extensive experience in information technology will be beneficial to AIAG as we continue to develop standards and processes that improve the automotive industry,” said Linda Plawecki, acting AIAG executive director, in a statement on the appointment.

Bender joins an AIAG board which represents a cross-section of member companies, including automakers, truck manufacturers and suppliers. “The board provides strategic direction and oversees AIAG's collaborative efforts to enhance the global automotive supply chain, including initiatives in automatic identification, collaborative engineering and product development, e-commerce, electronic data interchange, early warning signs, finance, materials management, occupational health & safety, quality, regulatory issues, returnable containers, telecommunications and truck & heavy equipment,” said AIAG.

Founded in 1982, Detroit-headquartered AIAG's member companies include vehicle makers from Europe and Asia-Pacific as well as North American OEMs, and also number automotive suppliers among its members, which have combined annual sales of more than $850 billion.

The not-for-profit association claims its primary goals are reducing “cost and complexity within the automotive supply chain” and improving “speed to market, product quality, employee health-and-safety and the environment.”