Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration

Akron, Ohio – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has named Ryan Patterson as senior VP, business integration to lead the integration of Cooper Tire, following the proposed $2.5 billion (€2.1 billion) deal in February.

Nathaniel Madarang, managing director of Goodyear China, will succeed Patterson as president of Goodyear Asia Pacific with immediate effect, Goodyear announced 4 March.

“As one of Goodyear’s most senior leaders, Ryan Patterson has the depth and experience to lead the integration of our acquisition of Cooper Tire,” said Richard Kramer, chairman, CEO and president. 

Patterson, he went on to say, is a “market-back leader with broad, global perspective,”  who can maximise benefits for shareholders, customers, consumers and associates. 

In his previous roles, Patterson has held leadership positions in Asia, North America and Latin America, is “deeply familiar” with Goodyear customers, Kramer added.

Prior to his position in Asia Pacific, Patterson was president of Goodyear’s North America consumer business, where he developed the company’s consumer strategy and its focus on high-value segments. 

He led the creation and implementation of the company’s “aligned distribution model” in North America, and launched goodyear.com to drive e-commerce sales for distributors and dealers. 

He joined Goodyear in 2002 and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Madarang, who will lead the Asia Pacific business, has been with Goodyear since 2008. 

Prior to his role as managing director of Goodyear China, he was VP finance for Goodyear’s Asia Pacific business, and prior to that, VP China consumer business and finance director for Goodyear China. 

“[Madarang] is a customer-focused leader with deep knowledge of the Asia Pacific region and the tire industry,” said Kramer. 

According to the Goodyear CEO, Madarang was “instrumental” in reshaping Goodyear’s distribution model in China and in designing and launching Goodyear’s direct-to-retail business model. 

“The China market remains a high priority for Goodyear, and Nat [Madarang] is extremely well-positioned to drive growth there and throughout the region,” he concluded.

Goodyear announced the planned acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. on 23 February, and expects to close the deal in the second half of the year.

The merger, according to Goodyear, will create a $17.5-billion-turnover tire maker “with increased presence in distribution and retail channels while combining… strengths in the highly profitable light truck and SUV product segments.”