Major Commercial Tire Dealer, Retreader Expands Agreement with Goodyear

AKRON, Ohio, July 30, 2009 - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announces that it has been selected by Piedmont Truck Tires, Inc. as the sole provider of tire retreading systems for the Greensboro, N.C.-based company.

Under the new agreement, Piedmont will immediately install Goodyear retreading equipment in its state-of-the-art facility in Graham, N.C., replacing another supplier. Goodyear’s Unicircle and pre-cure retreading technologies will be used to produce tires for the many Piedmont customers in the region.

Prior to this business extension, Goodyear supplied Piedmont commercial tire service outlets with new Goodyear truck tires. The new tire supply relationship will continue, but is supplemented with the growth in Goodyear retreaded tire production.

In addition to operating retail automotive centers throughout North Carolina, Piedmont specializes in sales and service to commercial truck fleets. Piedmont’s fleet services include new and retreaded tires, fleet maintenance surveys, a mounted wheel program, tire management programs, contract maintenance, truck repair, rim refurbishing, emergency road service and more.

“Piedmont has been a valued Goodyear customer, and this agreement extends that relationship further,” said Joseph Copeland, vice president of Goodyear Commercial Systems. “We are pleased to broaden Goodyear’s industry-leading commercial tire and service offerings with a key provider in this region.”

Dan Rice, president of Piedmont Truck Tires, said, “We recognized the quality and value of Goodyear’s retreading systems, and wanted to be a part of it. The Goodyear name is strong with our customers, and we see the entire Goodyear package of new tires, retreading systems, fleet support and training as a solid package for commercial tire dealers and retreaders.”

Privately held and operated, Piedmont Truck Tires Inc. operates commercial truck centers in seven North Carolina locations - Asheville, Charlotte, Graham, Greensboro, High Point, Raleigh and Warsaw. Details about the company can be found at the Piedmont Truck Tires Web site.

Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems offers products and services to the trucking industry, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tires and retreads. In addition, the company offers FleetHQ business solutions to fleets of all sizes. This includes the 24/7 FleetHQ Solution Center, national programs, tire management tools, on-line information access and business problem-solving for tomorrow’s trucking fleets. For more information on Goodyear’s commercial tire capabilities, go to the Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems Web site.