THE LEGACY GROWS

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is founded in Akron, Ohio by Frank A. Sieberling. The famous Goodyear ‘winged-foot’ trademark is also born, inspired by a statuette of Mercury.

Following the great bicycle craze of the late 1890s and the birth of the automobile, Goodyear grows into the world’s largest tyre company, just three years after opening offices in London.

Goodyear first journey into the agricultural world after Florida farmers begin fitting tractors with Airwheel tyres. A journey that continues to this day, more than three generations later.

The perfection of the open-centre tread for tractor tyres provides further in-roads into the farming industry.

Ever committed to innovation Goodyear develops tubeless tractor and earthmover tyres, helping to increase stability and minimise the risk of costly punctures.

Following two decades of constant invention, including the development of the first nylon tyre in 1947, Goodyear announces the launch of Super-Torque farm tyres.

Following several years of intensive research into the problems of soil compaction and the need to reduce the impact of farm tyres, Goodyear Terra-Tyres are trialled with the Forestry Commission with overwhelming success.

Goodyear builds the world’s largest tyre, measuring an impressive 11.5ft in height and 7,000 pounds in weight. The company’s commitment to innovation also reaches spectacular new heights as Goodyear tyres become the first to land on the moon.

Following a further two decades of continual growth and product development, the UK range of Terra-Tyres expands to over 80 different options.

The industry’s first non-directional radial farm tractor tyre is developed. Goodyear also celebrates its first 100 years as a business, marking the occasion with a number of high-profile business expansions.

Titan International Inc. purchases Goodyear’s North American farm tire assets, which includes the manufacturing facility in Freeport, Illinois. Titan ensure the brand remains at the forefront of the industry in terms of performance, reliability and innovation.

Titan International Inc. acquires Goodyear’s Latin American farm tire business in Sao Paulo, Brazil, including Sao Paulo’s manufacturing plant, property, equipment and licensing agreement. Titan also purchase Physical assets of Goodyear’s Union City, TN plant. This purchase includes land, building and mixing equipment. A portion of this facility is used for rubber mixing plant for the tire locations.

Titan enters into a licensing agreement with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company allowing Titan to distribute and sell Goodyear-brand farm tires in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries.