Agak terkejut apabila mendengar beliau baru berkhidmat selama lima bulan di Goodyear Malaysia Berhad,

memandangkan raut wajahnya yang menampakkan banyaknya pengalaman perniagaan yang berharga

yang dimiliki beliau. Sebenarnya, beliau sudah lama terlibat dalam syarikat ini sejak tahun 1976 hingga

Ogos 2008. Selepas 32 tahun berkhidmat di Goodyear Malaysia, beliau bersara selama tiga tahun.

Ternyata, perkhidmatannya masih diperlukan apabila beliau ditawarkan berkhidmat semula di syarikat ini

bermula November 2011.

Menemui Zakariah Ahmad, Pengarah Urusan Goodyear Malaysia di pejabatnya di Shah Alam, banyak ilmu

dan pengalaman yang yang dapat dikongsikan daripada beliau. Yang paling menarik, pada dekad 1970-an,

beliau satu-satunya korporat Melayu yang berkhidmat di Goodyear Akron, Ohio, Amerika Syarikat, selama

setahun. Dari situlah beliau banyak mengutip pengalaman dan mendapat pendedahan awal tentang

strategi pengurusan dan perniagaan di negara maju.

Menurutnya,  sepanjang penglibatannya dalam dunia perniagaan selama 10 tahun di luar negara dan

selebihnya di dalam negara, beliau pernah menjadi penasihat kepada usahawan syarikat berkaitan dengan

kerajaan (GLC), menjadi pakar rujuk di institusi pengajian tinggi, terlibat dalam bidang pengurusan

perniagaan Goodyear di Malaysia, menjadi Presiden Goodyear Filipina selama tiga tahun dan Goodyear

Indonesia selama lima tahun, dan kembali berkhidmat di Malaysia pada tahun 2006. Sebelum itu, beliau

menjalani latihan pengurusan perniagaan di institusi perbankan dan syarikat Nestle.

Goodyear Malaysia antara syarikat pembuatan tayar yang tertua di negara ini. Menurut Zakariah, syarikat

ini bermula pada tahun 1908 menerusi The Goodyear Orient yang ditubuhkan di Singapura. Syarikat ini

membeli getah secara terus dari ladang getah Malaysia dan Indonesia untuk dibekalkan ke kilang tayar

Goodyear di seluruh dunia. Goodyear juga menjual produk yang berasaskan getah. Penjualan produk

Goodyear di Malaysia bermula sejak tahun 1929 oleh Syarikat Goodyear Sales yang juga ditubuhkan di

Singapura. Harpers dilantik sebagai wakil jualan Goodyear Sales Malaysia yang beribu pejabat di Petaling

Jaya.

Menurut Zakariah yang lebih dikenali sebagai Pak Zek di Goodyear Indonesia, pada tahun September

1972, Goodyear Malaysia Berhad ditubuhkan dengan pembukaan kilang pembuatannya sendiri di Shah

Alam selepas diundang oleh kerajaan Malaysia. Selepas setahun ditubuhkan, kilang ini mengeluarkan

tayar Goodyear untuk kali pertama. Goodyear masih mengekalkan modal berbayar kira-kira RM10 juta dari

dahulu hingga kini.

“Goodyear Malaysia merupakan syarikat usaha sama dengan The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company,

Amerika Syarikat. Ketika penstrukturan semula Goodyear Malaysia pada era penubuhan Permodalan

Nasional Berhad (PNB) pada dekad 1980-an, saham Perbadanan Nasional (PERNAS) dijual kepada PNB

dengan penguasaan kepentingan sebanyak 49 peratus dan Goodyear Amerika Syarikat sebanyak 51

peratus,” terangnya.

GOODYEAR MALAYSIA

Richard J. Kramer

Chief Executive

Officer & President

Goodyear's involvement in Malaysia dates back to 1908 when The Goodyear Orient Company, a rubber buying firm, was established in Singapore to purchase rubber from plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia. The sales of Goodyear products in Malaysia began in 1929 through the office of the Goodyear Sales Company, which was established in Singapore.

In 1972, Goodyear Malaysia Berhad established its own manufacturing plant based in Shah Alam, Selangor and today is one of the leading tyre manufacturers in Malaysia. Working three shifts, the company employs nearly 700 people and produces a wide range of passenger car tyres in three different brands, namely Goodyear, Fulda and Kelly. In addition, the plant also produces light truck tyres for commercial and 4x4 applications, medium commercial and graders/tractors tyres.

As a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, USA, Goodyear Malaysia benefits from research and development support of technical centers located in Japan, Europe, and America. This support has enabled Goodyear Malaysia to produce outstanding tyres along with providing outstanding services. As a result, Goodyear Malaysia has taken the leadership position in the Malaysian tyre market.

Achievements

Goodyear Malaysia is one of the world's top tyre manufacturing company and has achieved excellent performance in both sales and technology. Its parent company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, introduced the pneumatic tyre in 1899, and patented the tubeless tyre in 1903. When the Wright brothers made their first flight Goodyear was with them.

In October 1992, the company became the first Goodyear tyre plant to be certified for ISO 9002 standards, in 2002 it obtained the QS9000 and ISO14001 certifications followed by ISO / TS 16949 certification in 2003.

The company is a market leader in tyre making and it is a preferred brand by Malaysia's Original Equipment Manufacturers. Having fulfilled their high quality standard, Goodyear tyres now comes as a standard tyres for passenger and recreational vehicles for local brands - Naza, Perodua and Proton as well as the world's leading manufacturers such as BMW, Daihatsu, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Range Rovers, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen. Goodyear received multiple awards from leading automotive companies, such as, the Toyota's Outstanding Quality Performance in 2003, and Proton's Best Overall Performance as well as Perodua's Quality Performance Award for year 2008/2009. This year, for the second time in two consecutive years, Goodyear Malaysia was recognized as the Most Trusted brand for the tyre category by Reader's Digest.

In the replacement market segment, Goodyear tyres are today available throughout the country through a comprehensive network of one-stop professional tyre and car-care centers known as Goodyear Servitekar and Goodyear Autocare stores. In fact, Goodyear Malaysia takes pride in the fact that it took the lead in developing the tyre retailing business to the high level so commonly found today. Started in 1979, the Goodyear Servitekar has today grown to over 252 outlets serving the needs of motorists throughout the country.

To satisfy growing needs of different market segments, Goodyear Malaysia also imports a substantial number of tyres from its sister plants in other ASEAN countries and is becoming well positioned to take full advantage of the market liberalization under AFTA.

HISTORY AND INNOVATION

"Innovation, quality and a sharp market focus continue to drive Goodyear in the right direction. We believe we are taking the required steps to drive improving future performance."

"Innovative products are the lifeblood of our company."

"Thanks to the capabilities of our scientists, engineers and marketers, we are creating relevant technology that consumers want."

"We believe that we win if we aggressively innovate across all activities of our business."

Robert J. KeeganChairman, Chief Executive Officer & President

HISTORY OF THE BRAND

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company started in 1898 when Frank Seiberling purchased the company's first plant using money he borrowed from a brother-in-law. The rubber and cotton had to be transported from halfway around the world, to a landlocked town that had only limited rail transportation. Seiberling named the company after the courageous pioneer Charles Goodyear, the discoverer of vulcanisation. He also determined the distinctive winged-foot trademark that remains a symbolic link with the company's past.

From rubber company...

With just 13 workers, Goodyear production began with a product line of bicycle and carriage tyres, horseshoe pads and poker chips. After the first full month of business, sales amounted to $8,246. Since the first bicycle tyre in 1898, Goodyear has pedalled its way towards becoming the world's largest tyre company, a title it earned in 1916 when it adopted the slogan "More people ride on Goodyear tyres than on any other kind". It became the world's largest rubber company in 1926. These legendary early years set the tone which continues to be felt in all aspects of the company and in its relationship with its customers.

...to global brand

When you look today at the global Goodyear brand, with its thousands of breakthroughs, innovations, new inventions, firsts and groundbreaking improvements, you're seeing a reflection of the bold, innovative and down-to-earth character of the company's founders. Today, Goodyear is among the world's largest tyre company, with a presence on six continents. In addition to Goodyear brand tyre, it produces several other well-respected brand names including Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda, Lee, Sava and Debica, while its non-tyre business units provide rubber products and polymers for a variety of automotive and industrial markets.

INNOVATION

Innovation - the continuous flow of creative new ideas, products and materials - has always been at the very core of Goodyear's activities. The company established a major research facility in 1943, which has since received thousands of patents. Major inventions by Goodyear's scientists and technicians have been used not only in tyre and automotive products, but also in artificial hearts and joints, adhesives, artificial turf for playgrounds and food packaging, to name only a few. Goodyear Research was the training ground for Paul Flory, a Nobel laureate in the field of polymers. Two research associates have been awarded the Goodyear Medal, the highest award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which honours scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations. Goodyear Research scientists and engineers today come from all over the world and continue working at the cutting edge of rubber and polymer science. They have also branched out into such diverse fields as

computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering mechanics, metallurgy and others to create a myriad of unique materials and processes.

Cutting-edge research

Goodyear Research was the training ground for Paul Flory, a Nobel laureate in the field of polymers. Two research associates have been awarded the Goodyear Medal, the highest award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which honours scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations.

Rubber and polymer science

Goodyear Research scientists and engineers today come from all over the world and continue working at the cutting edge of rubber and polymer science. They have also branched out into such diverse fields as computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering mechanics, metallurgy and others to create a myriad of unique materials and processes.

MILESTONES

For well over 100 years Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre technology and innovation, from Charles Goodyear creating vulcanisation in 1839 to the introduction of Bubble Blade technology in 2004. Through advanced research and manufacturing practices, Goodyear continues to produce tyres that revolutionize the industry and push the boundaries of innovation.

For over a hundred years, Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre technology. Through advanced research and manufacturing practices, Goodyear continues to push the boundaries of innovation and remains One Revolution Ahead.

1898 Frank Seilberling founded the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and chose the name "Goodyear" to honour Charles Goodyear.

1908 Henry Ford's Model T, fitted with Goodyear tyres, is a sensation with middle class consumers and car registrations skyrocket.

1964 Using Goodyear tyres, Craig Breedlove becomes the first man to top 600 miles (960km) an hour.

1969 Goodyear Aerospace helps send astronauts to the moon and return them safely to earth.

1971 Goodyear tyres were the first tyre tracks to land onto the Moon.

1992 The Goodyear Aquatreds revolutionary design makes it a hit with consumers and designs.

1998 Goodyear celebrates its 100th year anniversary.

2001 Goodyear launches Trinuum Technology, the integration of its 3 main engineering and technical centres from around the world, including Europe, the USA and Japan.

2003 Goodyear stands at the pinnacle of drag racing, winning the most championships in both the professional and sportsman categories, in the National Hot Rod and International Hot Rod Association competitions.

2004 Marks Goodyear's 50th anniversary of involvement with NASCAR, and as the longest-running sponsor of the sport.

2005 As a cutting-edge technology, RunOnFlat is still undergoing heavy development. While the basic system, consisting of reinforced tyre together with a TPMS system, has been developed, tested and is now commercially available, there are more technical innovations and enhancements that are just around the corner.

2007 Goodyear introduces Eagle F1 Asymmetric in Germany, garnering multiple accolades.

2008 Launched Goodyear Assurance – passenger tyre made with DuPontTM KEVLAR ® .

2009 Introduced the New Goodyear DuraPlus which offers mileage up to 130,000km.

2009 Goodyear and NASA invent “Spring Tyre” for moon – an energy efficient tyre that won't go flat.

Peneraju dalam teknologi tayar dan inovasi, Goodyear Malaysia melanjutkan program ‘Worry Free Assurance’

dengan matlamat untuk memberikan pemandu ketenangan ketika pemanduan.

Pertama kali dianjurkan pada tahun 2013, progam anjuran Goodyear ini akan menggantikan tayar pelanggan yang

mengalami kerosakkan yang tidak boleh dibaiki semasa memandu dijalan raya dengan tayar terpilih* .

Menurut Pengarah Urusan Goodyear Malaysia, Ivy Peng, “Goodyear Malaysia sentiasa berusaha memenuhi

keperluan pengguna, bukan sahaja melalui produk yang ditawarkan tetapi juga dengan perkhidmatan yang diberikan.

Melalui program ‘Worry Free Assurance’, ia merupakan sebahagian dari bukti syarikat untuk memberikan nilai

tambah dan jaminan kepada pemandu.”

Melalui program yang ditawarkan ini, jika berlaku kerosakan pada tayar akibat dari keadaan jalan raya yang bahaya,

Goodyear akan memberikan tayar ganti percuma bagi corak tayar dengan kedalaman lebih dari 6.7 milimeter, dan

bagi corak tayar dalam yang memiliki kedalaman anggaran 5.6 hingga 6.6 milimeter,separuh bayaran akan

dikeluarkan untuk pembelian tayar Goodyear baharu yang sama saiz dan bentuk.

Sah dalam tempoh enam bulan berkuatkuasa dari tarikh pembelian, antara corak tayar yang termasuk dalam

program jaminan ini adalah Goodyear Assurance TripleMax, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2, Eagle F1 Directional 5, Eagle

EfficientGrip dan EfficientGrip SUV.

GOODYEAR Tire & Rubber (Goodyear) disenaraikan dalam 100 syarikat global inovatif terbaik oleh Thomson Reuters 2011 apabila dikategorikan sebagai syarikat peneraju dunia bidang perlindungan, inovasi, komersial dan penggunaan teknologi masa depan bagi penghasilan produk.

Pengarah Urusan Goodyear Malaysia, Zakariah Ahmad berkata, Goodyear adalah jenama tayar terkemuka Malaysia dengan fokus kepada inovasi, keselamatan dan prestasi.

Selama lebih 40 tahun, syarikatnya menunjukkan komitmen dalam pasaran Malaysia bagi memastikan perkembangan positif ia di negara ini seperti pengilangan kelengkapan asal (OEM) jenama tempatan dan penajaan sukan drift.

“Goodyear di Malaysia sentiasa berusaha memacu dalam bidang pembangunan penyelidikan (R&D) pembuatan produk bagi menggalakkan penggunaan berkualiti di kalangan pengguna menjadi peneraju pasaran pembuatan tayar. Setakat ini, pengguna Goodyear menunjukkan reaksi positif menggunakan produk kami,” katanya.