Thierry Villard, Managing Director of Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires, said that the certification is a great recognition of excellent Human Resources practices for both Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe and Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires. "Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires is aware that the best tyres can only be innovated, manufactured and marketed by employing the best associates whose work is based on knowledge, experience and professionalism. The certification recognises our commitment to provide our associates with a motivating, development-oriented and inclusive environment ..."

The company's Human Resources Business Partner Alenka Arlič adds: "Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires employs about 1400 associates that have numerous opportunities for career growth and development. Great emphasis is placed on developing appropriate leadership that promotes the development of individuals and the organisation. One of the many advantages of a global environment of course are the talent development programmes, which Goodyear associates from the entire EMEA region are involved in, offering them the opportunity to develop a global career. Special development programmes for middle and top management are also in place."

Ms. Arlič emphasises that the concern for the safety, health and well-being of its associates definitely constitutes one of the company's priorities: "One of our priorities - as a manufacturing company - is to continuously improve in the area of safety. During the 15 years of our operations, we have, for example, managed to reduce the occupational accident rate by as much as 96%. Special emphasis is placed on ergonomics by reducing the health disorder risk as early as during the working process, equipment and machinery planning phase. Our efforts for the health and general well-being of our associates are further developed by the Pozor(!)ni na zdravje (Attention(!) to Health) campaign, which promotes a healthy lifestyle and combines a series of activities - from organised recreation to the promotion of a healthy diet. In order to make our working environment even more pleasant and to strengthen the bonds between our associates, many awards are also given out (Workers of the Month, Workers of the Year, Best Teams, etc.). Gatherings for our associates and their families, such as Family Day, are also organised, and the children of our associates receive a visit from Santa Claus every year."

The Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe, with its headquarters in Brussels, brings together almost 25,000 associates in the EMEA - Europe, Middle East and Africa - Region. The certificate was awarded to 10 companies in the Group - in addition to Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires in Slovenia, Goodyear Dunlop in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom were also awarded.

The independent CRT Institute evaluates organisations across Europe and awards the Top Employer certificate on the basis of assessing the most critical areas of HR management - Compensation and Benefits, Working Conditions, Human Resources Development, Career Opportunities and Working Climate. The CRF Institute works with the independent accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton to provide an additional audit of specific areas. To qualify as a Top Employer Europe, a multinational organisation must be certificated as a Top Employer in at least five European countries. CRF was founded in 1991, with the objective of offering independent Human Resources assessment and acknowledgement.