Davis retiring; McLenithan in at Goodyear
Jim Davis, director of Manufacturing at Goodyear’s Gadsden Plant has announced that he will retire effective Dec. 31.
Mark McLenithan will take his position.
Davis retires after 41 years of service, six of those years at the Gadsden Plant. He has served in leadership positions in Goodyear plants in Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina and Canada.
During his time at Goodyear-Gadsden, among his many accomplishments, he oversaw the modernization project that included a building expansion and new tirebuilding, extrusion and finishing equipment.
“Jim has made a lasting, positive impact on the Gadsden Plant,” said Steve Pauly, Goodyear’s North American Tire director of consumer tire plant. “We appreciate his contributions and all his hard work over the past four decades.”
Davis said it has been an enjoyable career.
“I have been provided many opportunities to establish friendships and build relationships across the U.S. Canada and Latin America,” he said. “I extend thanks and appreciation to the many people who have helped, supported, coached and mentored me over my tenure.”
Davis’s successor is a graduate of Michigan Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. McLenithan has 27 years of manufacturing experience in the steel, soap and food processing industries.
He comes to Goodyear from Nestle in Laurel, Md., where he has been plant manager for four years.
During his tenure, he led the expansion of the plant while reducing the manufacturing cost conversion by $34 million.
McLenithan also spent a decade overseeing the upstart of two of the world’s largest dairy processing factories.
“Whether you manufacture ice cream or tires, you must build your foundation on three elements: safety, quality and culture,” McLenithan said during a meeting with the salaried staff at the plant recently.
“What are we doing to create capability in the organization safely and effectively with our customers as the priority?
“What are we doing to improve ourselves and our factory?
“I can already see the level of commitment from our team at the Gadsden Plant. I see opportunity for growth and development as well.
“We just have to keep up with the rate of change.”
McLenithan said he looks forward to the opportunity that being the director of manufacturing in Gadsden brings.
“Your history is a great indication of future success, and Gadsden has a great history,” he said.
“My job is to build on that history to make sure we are even better in the future.”
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