Goodyear honors associates for inventions, patents

Pit & Quarry, July, 2004

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has recognized more than 350 of its technical associates for their inventions and innovations. The associates, who work in the company's Technical Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, were responsible for more than 260 U.S. patents and 68 trade secrets in 2003.

In addition, 32 associates were named "Inventors of the Year" for 2003 and 12 were awarded special honors in recognition of their contributions over the course of their careers with the tire maker.

"You are definitely our celebrities," Robert J. Keegan, Goodyear's chairman and CEO, told the Akron group at a ceremony held in their honor on April 29. "I have tremendous respect for what you do."

Special awards include:

Inventors of the Year

Akron, Ohio: Kirk Cottman, Robert Pelle, Rajender Manthani, David Wismer, Aaron Puhala, Mike Crawford, Lenny Reiter, Jeremy Miracle, Marty Cohen, Sam Landers, David Poling, Robert Losey, Charlie Schmalix, Walt Allen, Chris Mantheiy, Karl Sundkvist, Benny Bexilla and Don Abbot.

Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg: Pascale de Briey, Richard Heinen, Marc Weydert, Olivio Pagliarini, Jeffry Mathews, Fernand Bode, Roland Boes, Daniel Paquay, Albiin Pochet, Bauke Schaap, Thierry Royer, John Roedseth, Wolfgang Buerling and Francis Bartholome.

Distinguished Corporate Inventor

Rene Zimmer, R&D Fellow, Luxembourg, is a recipient of the Distinguished Corporate Inventor Award. This select group now totals 42 inventors who have earned a total of 40 or more patents or trade secret awards, including a minimum of 20 issued patents and at least one patent of commercial significance to the company.

Silver Coin Awards

The Silver Coin Award is given to inventors who achieved various ingenuity milestones through their career. Zimmer will be recognized at the 40 level, while new recipients at the 20 level are George Balogh, Michel Constant, Georges Feider, Jean-Michel Gillard, Chris Johenning, Gia-Van Nyuyen, Bill Rayman, Michel Robert, Bob Schisler, Charlie Schmalix and John Verthe.