BUSINESS BRIEF

Appeal in Cooper Tire merger hastened in Del.

11/16/2013

DOVER, Del. — A judge in Delaware on Friday agreed to an expedited timetable to hear an appeal filed by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. of Findlay in a case centered on its pending merger with Apollo Tyres Ltd. of India.

The Findlay company had appealed a partial ruling issued Nov. 8 by Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock of Delaware Chancery Court. The ruling concluded that Apollo did not breach its obligation to quickly reach a pact with the United Steelworkers union, a condition necessary for the merger to be finalized. The expedited hearing is set for Dec. 19 in Dover.