THE TYRE INDUSTRY.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17411, 25 May 1928, Page 9

THE TYRE INDUSTRY.

WORLD-WIDE OPERATIONS. An American captain of industry, Mr William Stephens, general superintendent of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company, one of the world’s largest motor tyre concerns, arrived in Auckland on the Aorangi a few days ago. He is on a round-the-world tour from the headquarters of the company at Akron, Ohio, which he expects to reach again in November. The purpose of the tour js to inspect the company’s activities in different countries. Besides the enormous central plant at Akron it lias factories in Canada, Los Angeles, Sydney, apd Wolverhampton, England. After visiting Sydney Mr Stephens intends to inspect the company’s rubber plantations in the East indies. These have an area of 30,000 acres, and a further block of 29,000 acres is being developed. Thence he will go to Colombo for a business conference and on lo England. “I am very sorry I cannot stay longer in New Zealand this time,” he said. “There is just a possibility that when I have finished my business i.* Australia I may he able to come across for a short visit.” He docs not think his company is likely to establish a tyre factory in New Zealand, since the volume of business at present does not warrant such a step.