Charles J. Pilliod Jr. (October 20, 1918 – April 18, 2016) was an American business executive and diplomat. He was ambassador to Mexico from 1986 to 1989.[1][2]
Charles J. Pilliod Jr.
right, on Air Force One in 1988, with President Ronald Reagan, left.
Pilliod was the CEO of the Goodyear tire company from 1974 to 1983.[3] Pillion began his career at Goodyear in 1941 as a trainee, where he worked double shifts and enrolled in management training courses. His first promotion came within a year, when he was chosen to supervise production of fuel tanks for military aircraft.[5] He eventually moved to export sales, living in Panama, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and England.[4]
When Pilliod became CEO in 1974, he faced a major investment decision regarding the radial tire, which today has a market share of near 100%.[6] As a result of his actions, today only Goodyear, of the five biggest U.S. tire firms, remains independent.[7]
At the time, the U.S. tire industry built tires based on bias ply technology, dating to 1888. In 1946, Michelin developed the radial tire method of construction, which quickly spread in France, Michelin's home country. Because of its superiority in tread life, handling, safety from blowouts, and fuel economy, use of this technology quickly spread throughout Europe and Asia.[6] In the U.S., the bias-ply tire construction persisted, caused by tire and automobile manufacturers in America "concerned about transition costs."[6][8] In 1968, Consumer Reports, an influential American magazine, acknowledged the superiority of radial construction, and in 1971 the Lincoln Continental Mark III became the first American made car with standard OEM radial tires.[9]
Radial tires required different methods of construction, and the U.S. manufacturers were not set up to produce this product.[10] Industry estimates of this investment were substantial, and Goodyear eventually invested close to $3 Billion in this new technology.[11] For comparison, Michelin bought competitor Uniroyal-Goodrich in 1989 for just $1.5 Billion.[12] The workforce also needed to be retrained, since radials required greater "accuracy and consistency" in construction.[13] Despite heavy criticism at the time, Pilliod invested heavily in new factories and tooling to build the radial tire.[4]
Sam Gibara, who headed Goodyear from 1996 to 2003, has noted that without the bold action of Pilliod, Goodyear "wouldn't be around today."[4]
When Pilliod was appointed Ambassador in 1986, the U.S. and Mexico were experiencing tensions over the illegal drug trade. He favored behind the scenes discussions with Mexican authorities about the issue. He wished to improve relations, "and you won't do that by bashing" he said in 1987.[4]
Awards and honorsedit
1972: Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Two awards of merit from Luxembourg and two from Brazil
Honor of the Officer in the Order of Leopold II in Belgium
Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle
Automotive Hall of Fame
National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association Hall of Fame
^"Charles Pilliod, Cuyahoga Falls native who became U.S. ambassador and Goodyear CEO, chairman, dies at age 97". Ohio.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
^. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
^ ab. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
^ abcde "Charles Pilliod Kept Goodyear Out of Rivals' Hands: 1918-2016 World War II bomber pilot led tire maker when it was besieged by Japanese and European competitors". Wall Street Journal. 1 May 2016. p. A6. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
^. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
^ abc. Archived from the original on 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
^Sull, Donal (27 November 2000). "The Dynamics of Standing Still: Firestone Tire & Rubber and the Radial Revolution". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
^. Archived from the original on 2016-07-11. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
^Vaughan, Daniel Conceptcarz.com 1969 Lincoln Continental news, pictures, specifications, and information September 2008 Retrieved July 26, 2015
^Ajami, Riad; Cool, Karel; Goddard, Jason. "International Business Theory and Practice 2nd Edition". Page 408. Case Study #1. 15 November 2006. ISBN978-0765617804
^JONATHAN P. HICKS (23 September 1989). "Michelin to Acquire Uniroyal Goodrich". New York Times. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
^Tedlow, Richard. "Denial: Why Business Leaders Fail to Look Facts in the Face---and What to Do About It". Chapter 3. Portfolio Hardcover. 4 March 2010. ISBN1591843138
charles, pilliod, october, 1918, april, 2016, american, business, executive, diplomat, ambassador, mexico, from, 1986, 1989, right, force, 1988, with, president, ronald, reagan, left, united, states, ambassador, mexicoin, office, november, 1986, april, 1989pre. Charles J Pilliod Jr October 20 1918 April 18 2016 was an American business executive and diplomat He was ambassador to Mexico from 1986 to 1989 1 2 Charles J Pilliod Jr right on Air Force One in 1988 with President Ronald Reagan left United States Ambassador to MexicoIn office November 4 1986 April 7 1989PresidentRonald ReaganPreceded byJohn GavinSucceeded byJohn D NegropontePersonal detailsBorn 1918 10 20 October 20 1918Cuyahoga Falls Ohio U S DiedApril 18 2016 2016 04 18 aged 97 SpouseNancy J ConleyAlma materMuskingum College Kent State UniversityOccupationDiplomat Executive Contents 1 Biography 2 Awards and honors 3 References 4 External linksBiography editPilliod served in World War II from 1942 to 1945 as a pilot in the 20th Air Force 3 He flew the Boeing B 29 Superfortress over China and Japan 4 Pilliod was the CEO of the Goodyear tire company from 1974 to 1983 3 Pillion began his career at Goodyear in 1941 as a trainee where he worked double shifts and enrolled in management training courses His first promotion came within a year when he was chosen to supervise production of fuel tanks for military aircraft 5 He eventually moved to export sales living in Panama Peru Colombia Brazil and England 4 When Pilliod became CEO in 1974 he faced a major investment decision regarding the radial tire which today has a market share of near 100 6 As a result of his actions today only Goodyear of the five biggest U S tire firms remains independent 7 At the time the U S tire industry built tires based on bias ply technology dating to 1888 In 1946 Michelin developed the radial tire method of construction which quickly spread in France Michelin s home country Because of its superiority in tread life handling safety from blowouts and fuel economy use of this technology quickly spread throughout Europe and Asia 6 In the U S the bias ply tire construction persisted caused by tire and automobile manufacturers in America concerned about transition costs 6 8 In 1968 Consumer Reports an influential American magazine acknowledged the superiority of radial construction and in 1971 the Lincoln Continental Mark III became the first American made car with standard OEM radial tires 9 Radial tires required different methods of construction and the U S manufacturers were not set up to produce this product 10 Industry estimates of this investment were substantial and Goodyear eventually invested close to 3 Billion in this new technology 11 For comparison Michelin bought competitor Uniroyal Goodrich in 1989 for just 1 5 Billion 12 The workforce also needed to be retrained since radials required greater accuracy and consistency in construction 13 Despite heavy criticism at the time Pilliod invested heavily in new factories and tooling to build the radial tire 4 Sam Gibara who headed Goodyear from 1996 to 2003 has noted that without the bold action of Pilliod Goodyear wouldn t be around today 4 When Pilliod was appointed Ambassador in 1986 the U S and Mexico were experiencing tensions over the illegal drug trade He favored behind the scenes discussions with Mexican authorities about the issue He wished to improve relations and you won t do that by bashing he said in 1987 4 Awards and honors edit1972 Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Two awards of merit from Luxembourg and two from Brazil Honor of the Officer in the Order of Leopold II in Belgium Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle Automotive Hall of Fame National Tire Dealers amp Retreaders Association Hall of Fame 1982 Horatio Alger Award Winner 1982 Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement 14 References edit Charles Pilliod Cuyahoga Falls native who became U S ambassador and Goodyear CEO chairman dies at age 97 Ohio com Retrieved 26 June 2016 The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Charles J Pillord Jr Archived from the original on 27 September 2007 Retrieved 15 January 2011 a b Council of America Ambassadors Members Charles J Pillord Jr Archived from the original on 11 December 2010 Retrieved 15 January 2011 a b c d e Charles Pilliod Kept Goodyear Out of Rivals Hands 1918 2016 World War II bomber pilot led tire maker when it was besieged by Japanese and European competitors Wall Street Journal 1 May 2016 p A6 Retrieved 27 June 2016 Charles J Pilliod Hall of Fame Inductees Archived from the original on 24 June 2016 Retrieved 27 June 2016 a b c History Archived from the original on 2015 03 06 Retrieved 2016 06 26 Sull Donal 27 November 2000 The Dynamics of Standing Still Firestone Tire amp Rubber and the Radial Revolution Harvard Business School Retrieved 27 June 2016 Find Agricultural Tires MICHELIN COMMERCIAL TIRES Archived from the original on 2016 07 11 Retrieved 2016 06 26 Vaughan Daniel Conceptcarz com 1969 Lincoln Continental news pictures specifications and information September 2008 Retrieved July 26 2015 A Tale of Two Tires Bloomberg Ajami Riad Cool Karel Goddard Jason International Business Theory and Practice 2nd Edition Page 408 Case Study 1 15 November 2006 ISBN 978 0765617804 JONATHAN P HICKS 23 September 1989 Michelin to Acquire Uniroyal Goodrich New York Times Retrieved 12 August 2016 Tedlow Richard Denial Why Business Leaders Fail to Look Facts in the Face and What to Do About It Chapter 3 Portfolio Hardcover 4 March 2010 ISBN 1591843138 Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement www achievement org American Academy of Achievement External links editEntry in the Council of American Ambassadors membership database Entry in the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans database Charles J Pilliod Jr at Find a Grave Diplomatic posts Preceded byJohn Gavin U S Ambassador to Mexico1986 1989 Succeeded byJohn Negroponte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charles J Pilliod Jr amp oldid 1186957417, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
