Rumours abound about Merc’s East London plant
More and more rumours are surfacing about the possible sale, or part sale, of Mercedes-Benz’s East London manufacturing plant.
- Industry News
- 11 March 2026
Goodyear South Africa has appointed Paul Gerrad (photo) to the position of Managing Director effective from 1 May 2024.
Gerrard takes over from Richard Fourie, who led the company for two years from April 2022.
A seasoned leader with deep experience in operations and supply chain gained from the automotive industry in South Africa and abroad, Gerrard joined Goodyear in 2010 as Group Procurement and Supply Chain Director for South Africa.
In 2016, he moved to Dubai, as Director of the company’s Supply Chain Function for Emerging Markets (Middle East & Africa, South Africa and Turkey). In 2020, he returned to South Africa and took on the role of Manufacturing Director of the Kariega Plant. He will still be based at the Kariega plant for his new role.
“Goodyear South Africa has a proud legacy of being a key contributor to South Africa’s tyre manufacturing industry,” says Gerrard. “I look forward to continuing our successful delivery of high-quality tyre products to the drivers in the country.”
Gerrard holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree in Business Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
More and more rumours are surfacing about the possible sale, or part sale, of Mercedes-Benz’s East London manufacturing plant.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday (10 March) they would not let any oil and other related products out of the Middle East until United States (US) and Israeli attacks cease, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten to hit Iran "twenty times harder" if it blocked exports.
With tensions and conflict in the Middle East raising concerns about global energy supplies, attention has again focused on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil shipping routes in the world.