Born In The USA: Tire Brands Founded In America
30 years after Bruce Springsteen's gritty song hit the airwaves, people continue to fixate on the chorus — “Born in the U.S.A. I was Born in the U.S.A.”
America has always retained a pioneering attitude. Mobility was considered synonymous with the American dream. This exploratory spirit of the American persona helped reinvent the wheel. So much so, that the corporate offices of five of the six largest tire companies were located in the United States during the 1950's.
During the late nineteenth century, Ohio emerged as the leader of rubber production in the United States. Dubbed the "Rubber Capital of the World," Akron, Ohio set the standards for the “American-made tire.”
Over time, many foreign manufactures and multi-national conglomerates have gobbled up a majority of these major American brands. As a result, only two tire manufacturers can be sold as American-made: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Each of them having multiple manufacturing plants in the U.S.
Regardless, it’s hard to erase a brand’s legacy. That is why we compiled a list of the top tire brands founded right here in the United States. These brands are responsible for changing the way we drive and continue to maintain a strong culture of innovation deeply rooted in American heritage. In the eyes of the consumer – These brands are a testament to just how far we’ve come in our pursuit of excellence.
United States Rubber Company (Uniroyal)
Year Founded: 1982
Original Headquarters: Naugatuck, Connecticut
Uniroyal has been moving America forward since 1892. With good reason, Uniroyal tires have been on the road longer than most roads have been paved. The company was originally founded in Naugatuck, Connecticut as the United States Rubber Company. At the time, nine companies consolidated their operations in Naugatuck to become the United States Rubber Company.
This company eventually became Uniroyal, Inc. in 1961, debuting one of their most iconic tires, the Tiger Paw, a few years later. This tires popularity skyrocketed when it became original equipment for that decade's muscle cars such as the legendary Pontiac GTO.
In 1986, Uniroyal and B.F. Goodrich merged in a joint venture to become the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company. However, the merger brought about difficulties as incompatible equipment and differences in cost-accounting procedures hampered production and efficiency.
By 1990, Michelin Group completed its purchase of Uniroyal Goodrich valued at about $1.5 billion.
Hoosier Racing Tire
Year Founded: 1957
Founder: Robert Newton
Original Headquarters: Lakeville, Indiana
The history of Hoosier Racing Tire is one of an American Dream come true for a young, Indiana entrepreneur who turned a personal vision into a reality. Bob Newton, the company’s founder, had a successful racing career in the early 1950’s. However, he was not satisfied with driving on street tires due to their limited sizing options and hard tread compounds. This passion is what drove him to produce his own tires – with the sole purpose specifically designed for racing.
Bob, along with his supportive wife Joyce, decided to begin producing their own race tires by re-treading street tires with softer compounds. The Hoosier name was chosen for their company to reflect the origin of Bob's racing roots on the short tracks of the Midwest.
In 1988, Hoosier Tire entered the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. They would eventually go on to capture nine victories while getting their marquee win at the Daytona 500 in 1989.
With hundreds of race winners crowned annually, Hoosier Racing Tire has grown to become the largest race tire manufacturer in the world.
On October 4, 2016 Hoosier Racing Tire was purchased by Continental Tire.
Kelly-Springfield Tire Company
Year Founded: 1894
Founder: Edwin Kelly & Arthur Grant
Original Headquarters: Springfield, Ohio
As part of the Goodyear family, Kelly holds the ranks as the United States oldest tire brand. The brand has built a reputation for providing a value-based option that serves the needs of any driver. The company has the distinction of being the first to develop and manufacture solid rubber tires for carriages and the early automobile.
Since 1935, Kelly has been a Goodyear value brand dedicated to quality that currently manufactures around 54 brands of tires. They also hold the rank as the world's top producer of farm tires. Kelly Tire still maintains its “first class or scrap” mentality, dedicated to offering a good deal on a great tire and making customers feel confident they made the smart decision.
In 2010, the company took the leap from limited distribution to nationwide sales, and Kelly tires became available almost everywhere across the United States. Every Kelly tire comes with the Kelly Tire 30-Day Test Drive. The guarantee says that if a customer decides against a particular set of newly purchased Kelly tires, then that customer has 30 days to exchange the tires for a new set.
Kelly Tire has enjoyed more than 115 years in the tire business.
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
Year Founded: 1900
Founder: Harvey Firestone
Original Headquarters: Akron, Ohio
Since their founding over 100 years ago, Firestone Tires have established a reputation for manufacturing outstanding tires that provide excellent performance and continues to be an industry leader today.
The company’s fortunes changed in 1906, when founder, Harvey Firestone, established a robust personal and business relationship with automobile tycoon Henry Ford. That year, Firestone delivered 2,000 sets of tires to the Ford Motor Company. This would start a business partnership that would last for decades. By 1913, the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company’s sales eclipsed $15 million.
It’s been a fast-paced 100-plus years since Harvey Firestone became an American pioneer for mass tire production. In 1988, Firestone was purchased by the Japanese Corporation Bridgestone. This purchase placed Firestone under the Bridgestone umbrella as a subsidiary company and brought a large number of Firestone global production sites into the Bridgestone organization.
B.F. Goodrich
Year Founded:1870
Founder:Benjamin Goodrich
Original Headquarters:Akron, Ohio
When B.F. Goodrich merged with Uniroyal in 1986, it became one of the largest tire and rubber manufacturers in the world. Due to advanced research and cutting edge scientific innovation, B.F. Goodrich separated themselves from the competition. Innovations such as tire wear evaluation and longevity testing, gave them the leading edge of the industry becoming a household name.
The company's founder, Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, helped make Akron, Ohio the "Rubber Capital of the World" during the late 1800s. He was largest stockholder in the Hudson River Rubber Company in New York, becoming involved in the rubber industry in 1869.
Soon after, he moved his company to Akron, Ohio hoping to dominate the rubber industry in the Midwest. With the invention of the automobile skyrocketing demands for tires, his company quickly developed tires suitable for cars.
Throughout its rich history, B.F. Goodrich has been credited with accomplishing extensive industry leading innovations. They developed America’s first tubeless radial car tire along with North America's first radial-ply touring tire. They also constructed the world’s first all-terrain tire as well.
In 1988, the B.F. Goodrich Tires brand was sold to Michelin.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Year Founded: 1914
Founder: John F. Schaefer & Claude E. Hart
Original Headquarters: Findlay, Ohio
The Cooper Tire & Rubber Company traces its origins to 1914, when two Ohio businessmen launched the M and M Manufacturing Company, a producer of tire patches, tire cement, and tire repair kits. Through steady growth, an acquisition and a timely merger, a new company emerged in 1930, taking on its current name in 1946.
During the Second World War, Cooper was an important contributor to the war effort. As a result, the federal government recognized Cooper’s contribution. This lead to unprecedented sales growth that continued for the rest of the century and by 2000, the company had 60 manufacturing plants located in 13 countries.
In 2013, Cooper announced its first U.S. passenger car equipment contract, providing Ford Motor Company with original equipment tires for its Ford Focus SE and Titanium models
Cooper Tire and its subsidiaries have a growing presence in the U.S. market, selling original equipment tires to auto manufacturers and replacement tires to consumers. Their subsidiary brands include Mastercraft, Dick Cepek and Mickey Thompson.
Cooper Tire is the fifth-largest tire manufacturer in the United States and sits in twelfth place in the world. If you’re looking for high-quality, well-priced tires from an American company, be sure to include Cooper Tires in your search.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Year Founded: 1898
Founder: Frank Seiberling
Original Headquarters: Akron, Ohio
Goodyear is a company based on firsts. They emerged as a leading producer of rubber items in the early 20th century. By 1926, Goodyear was the largest rubber company in the world. Coupled with their unique “winged foot” trademark and floating blimps, Goodyear's presence and brand recognition continues to span the globe today.
Founded by Frank Seiberling in 1898, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has been located in Akron, Ohio ever since. The company was named after the man who developed vulcanized rubber, Charles Goodyear (born in New Haven, Connecticut). In the winter of 1839, Goodyear accidentally discovered that the addition of heat and sulphur alters the consistency of rubber.
This would later be known as the vulcanization process. Sadly, at the time of his death in 1860, he was penniless and $200,000 in debt. Neither Goodyear nor his family was ever connected with the company named in his honor.
Thirty years after Goodyear’s death, the bicycle craze of the 1890s was booming. The timing couldn’t have been better for the Goodyear company. The popularity of their tires on the racing circuit led to an increased demand for the brand. By 1916, Goodyear earned the title as the world’s largest tire company.
Goodyear is also known for the Goodyear Blimp. They’ve been manufacturing airships and balloons since the early 1900s, flying the first Goodyear advertising blimp in 1925. Today it is one of the most recognizable advertising icons in the U.S.
For the next sixty years Goodyear prospered. The company continued to lead the industry in creating new products throughout the twentieth century.
Today, Goodyear measures sales of more than $20 billion. Goodyear innovation can be found across industries and applications around the world. They have more starts, wins, and championships than any other tire supplier in Formula One history.
Over 150 years have based since the death of Charles Goodyear and one thing remains the same. None of these vehicles would be operational if it hadn't been for his pioneering discovery.
Rubber Capital of the World
It should be mentioned that it wasn't a coincidence that many tire manufacturers were from Ohio. The state's strategic advantages, such as a well-established rubber industry, proximity to major automotive markets like Detroit, and robust transportation infrastructure, created an ideal environment for tire production.
Additionally, Ohio's skilled labor force and innovation in rubber processing and tire manufacturing attracted and supported the growth of these companies. These factors combined to make Ohio, particularly Akron, an ideal location for early tire manufacturers because it provided easy access to raw materials and expertise.