Goodyear and Exel Partner to Transform Supply Chain

July 1, 2003
(COLUMBUS, Ohio, 11 June 2003) - Exel, the global leader in supply chain management, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, today announced a formal

(COLUMBUS, Ohio, 11 June 2003) - Exel, the global leader in supply chain management, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, today announced a formal Supply Chain Management (SCM) partnership enabling the world's largest tire company to increase the efficiency of its supply chain and enhance service to its customers.

Exel, which was named Goodyear's lead logistics provider last July, has been providing distribution center solutions to the company for more than six years in five locations across the United States.

Through the SCM partnership, the two organizations have established a roadmap of opportunities that will create operational efficiencies and raise Goodyear's standard of superior customer service. The SCM team has already initiated transformation solutions to enhance transportation capabilities and distribution models, and to optimize fleet management.

"Transforming Goodyear's supply chain is at the foundation of the company's strategy to differentiate itself from its competition," said Patrick Hurley, vice president, supply chain, North American Tire. "Exel's expertise will lead to improvements in several areas, including network design, stocking strategy, order management and freight routing, which will enhance Goodyear's service to its customers."

A steering committee, comprised of eight key executives from Goodyear and Exel, oversees the SCM operation to ensure that core business strategies are being executed. Integrated efforts, such as the steering committee and Exel SCM team members on-site with Goodyear, are critical to the partnership's success, said Bruce Edwards, chief executive, Exel Consumer, Retail, Healthcare - Americas.

"Goodyear and Exel have a long, successful relationship built on trust, teamwork and performance," said Edwards. "As a strategic partner with Goodyear, we are committed to leveraging our global best practices to create innovative supply chain solutions."