Cooper names Mexico JV team

Findlay, Ohio -- Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has named the core managers at its joint venture in Mexico.

Cooper in October formed the company Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. de Mexico to market and distribute the Cooper and Pneustone brands with Llanti Systems.

The joint venture will be led by Jim Smith as general manager. Most recently he served as plant controller at Cooper's Texarkana, Arkanss, plant. Mr. Smith was succeeded in Texarkana by Kerry Barnett, director of financial planning and commercial analysis.

Chris Barbara, formerly manager of sales training, will serve as director of marketing. Hugo Ybarra, director of sales, will join the other two as the joint venture's “core team,” Cooper said.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)