Cooper’s Dattilo Named Industry Executive of the Year

Thomas A. Dattilo, CEO of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Findlay, Ohio, is hailed as Industry Executive of the Year by Rubber & Plastics News, an industry publication.
Dattilo has served as the Chairman, President and CEO of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company since April 2000, in addition to serving as chairman of the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) and vice chairman of the Manufacturer’s Alliance (MAPI). Dattilo has led the company’s growth of nearly 25%, has accelerated the Cooper brand into the mainstream of flag brands in North America and aligned the company with high-performance products.
During the past five years, the company has successfully integrated three acquisitions, launched a line of ultra-high performance products, entered into several racing circuits, elevated the Cooper brand image through cutting-edge advertising, and is near closing on the divestiture of its automotive segment, to position itself better in the fast-growing Chinese market in addition to other growth strategies.
Identifying Dattilo as the first “outsider” to lead the company, Rubber & Plastics News noted that he has provided the company “international experience and a better understanding of outside forces that influence companies in today’s economy.”
Cooper’s products include automotive, motorcycle and truck tires, inner tubes, tread rubber and equipment, as well as sealing, trim, NVH control systems and fluid handling systems. Cooper has more than 20,000 employees and 52 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries.