Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • LogIn
  • News
  • Technology Focus
    • Features
    • Technical Papers
    • Analysis: Rubber mixing plants of the future
      Analysis: US probes dumping by ESBR suppliers
      Opinion: Tire labels stuck in a rut
      Analysis: NR pricing takes one step forward, two steps back
    • White paper: Role of tire innerliners in improving 'in-use rolling resistance'
      White paper: Why tire air retention matters now more than ever
      Nippon Soda: Use of 1,2-polybutadiene in CSM rubber applications
      Elastomers for Sustainability Top 10
  • Events
    • ERJ Events
    • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Journey to Automation Awards 2020
      Sustainability: Top 10 E4S projects table
  • Maps & Reports
  • People
  • Directory
  • Digital Edition
  • Brainiac
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 03, 2013 12:00 AM

Global tire evolution ongoing, says Tire Business

ERJ Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    ERJ staff report (TB)

    Akron, Ohio – The anniversary of Bridgestone Corp.'s purchase 25 years ago of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. is a reminder that the global tire industry continues to evolve and that more changes in tire company ownership and leadership are likely to continue, according to an editorial in ERJ’s sister publication Tire Business.

    Consider two current happenings – Apollo Tyres Ltd.'s bid to acquire Findlay, Ohio-based Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., and plans by China's GITI Tire Pte. Ltd. to set up technical centres in Akron and Hannover, Germany.

    Regarding the latter, GITI would become the first Chinese tire maker to establish a technical centre in the U.S. Another Chinese tire maker, Triangle Group Co. Ltd., announced in 2011 it would establish a research, development and sales company, also in Akron, but its operating status is unclear.

    A quarter of a century ago, foreign tire companies were on a buying binge, scooping up U.S. tire manufacturers to gain a foothold in this country and to expand their production capabilities globally.

    Those deals included Continental A.G.'s acquisition of General Tire & Rubber Co., Pirelli & C. S.p.A.'s purchase of Armstrong Rubber Co., Group Michelin's takeover of Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co., Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.'s buying Mohawk Rubber Co., and the granddaddy of them all, Bridgestone's purchase of Firestone.

    When the dust finally settled, only Goodyear and Cooper remained among the top echelon of the world's largest tire makers with headquarters in the US

    Gurgaon, India-based Apollo's proposed acquisition of Cooper is just the latest attempt by a foreign tire company to acquire a U.S. firm and leapfrog into the Top 10 ranking of global tire makers.

    At the same time, we are witnessing the beginnings of Chinese tire companies expanding their manufacturing and technical bases beyond their home country.

    Although GITI's move to establish technical centers in two of the world's largest tire markets outside of Asia doesn't involve manufacturing – at least not yet – it's an indicator that the company is seeking to design tires tailored for these specific markets. If this effort proves successful, other Chinese tire manufacturers are likely to follow, so as not to be left behind.

    Bridgestone's surprising bid for Firestone a quarter century ago ultimately propelled it to become the world's largest tire manufacturer. It will be interesting to see what the next 25 years brings.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    ExxonMobil rolls out new TPV challenger to EPDM weatherseals
    ExxonMobil rolls out new TPV challenger to EPDM weatherseals
    Amaplast predicts “negative result” for Italian machinery makers
    Amaplast predicts “negative result” for Italian machinery makers
    Rubber testing firms in UK-US link-up
    Rubber testing firms in UK-US link-up
    Free Newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Get the latest news impacting the European rubber industry, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Logo
    Contact Us

    @ 2019 European Rubber Journal. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us European Rubber Journal, Crain Communication LTD, Ground Floor 11 Ironmonger Lane, London EC2V 8EY, UK

    Customer Service:
    1-313-446-0450

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
    • Technology Focus
      • Features
      • Technical Papers
    • Events
      • ERJ Events
      • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
      • Industry Events
    • Maps & Reports
    • People
    • Directory
    • Digital Edition
    • Brainiac