Goodyear has appointed a new Managing Director for the next phase of its growth in Australia and New Zealand.

Effective 1 December 2013, Thierry Villard was appointed Managing Director of Goodyear and Dunlop Tyres, Australia and New Zealand, replacing Mike Martens who will move to fully focus on his responsibilities as Vice President of Goodyear’s Asia Pacific OTR (Off The Road) tyre business. Villard will report to Dan Smykta, President of Goodyear Asia Pacific, and relocate to the company’s Melbourne office.

 

Villard joined Goodyear in 2007 as Sales and Marketing Director, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 2010, he was promoted to Managing Director, Central and South East Europe where he has led the growth and success story of this important cluster over the last three and half years. Prior to Goodyear, Thierry gained general management, operations, business development, sales and marketing experience at companies such as Eastman Kodak and Danone.

 

“Throughout his career, Thierry has developed a strong track record of successfully developing and executing strategic plans that result in significant business gains,” said Dan Smytka, President of Goodyear Asia Pacific. “His leadership and experience make him an ideal fit for this position and I am confident he will bring even greater momentum to our efforts to accelerate growth in the Australia and New Zealand cluster.”

 

Recognising the growth and importance of both the Australia and New Zealand and Asia Pacific OTR tyre businesses, Goodyear Asia Pacific has separated the two units, which Martens previously had oversight on.

“Mike has been instrumental in helping develop the current Australia and New Zealand strategy and model, and has been a strong leader for the business. He will now dedicate all of his time to leading the Asia Pacific OTR function, which continues to achieve successive record breaking performances. Mike will build upon his more than eight years with OTR to continue growing this world class business unit,” Smytka concluded