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Headquarters: 200 Innovation Way Website: http://www.goodyear.com Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is one of the world's largest tire companies. Goodyear manufacturers and markets tires, several lines of belts, hose and other engineered rubber products for the transportation industry and various industrial and consumer markets, as well as rubber-related chemicals for various applications. Goodyear employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 52 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, OH and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. It is also the world's largest operator of commercial truck service and tire retreading centers. In addition, Goodyear operates more than 2,000 tire and auto service center outlets. Goodyear is probably best known to Americans for its blimp, which soars above major sporting events. In the United States, there are three Goodyear blimps: the Spirit of Goodyear, based in Akron, OH; the Spirit of America, based in Carson, CA; and the Spirit of Innovation, based in Pompano Beach, FL. In 2013, Goodyear reported revenues of $19.5 billion, down 7% from the previous year, and net income of $600 million. The company sold 61.7 million tires in 2013, down from 62.6 million. "Our outstanding fourth quarter and full-year earnings confirm that our strategy is working and demonstrate Goodyear's ability to deliver sustainable earnings growth and strong free cash flow," said Richard Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our North America business achieved record earnings in all four quarters of 2013." The company said it has ceased production at its Amiens North plant in France, which produced consumer and farm tires. The facility will close during the first quarter of 2014. The timing of the company's exit from the Europe, Middle East and Africa farm tire business will be determined later in the year. History The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by 38-year-old Frank Seiberling. The company was named after Charles Goodyear, who developed the vulcanization process of rubber. Goodyear was not involved with the company. Seiberling purchased the first plant which made bicycle and carriage tires with a $3,500 down payment using money he borrowed from a brother-in-law. On Aug. 29, 1898, Goodyear was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. The company's winged-foot trademark was inspired by a newel-post statuette of the Roman god Mercury in the home of Goodyear founder Frank Seiberling. The blimp tradition began in 1925 when Goodyear built its first helium-filled public relations airship, the Pilgrim. The tire company painted its name on the side and began barnstorming the United States. Over the years, Goodyear built more than 300 airships, more than any other company in the world. Akron, OH, the company's world headquarters, was the center of blimp manufacturing for several decades. During World War II many of the Goodyear-built airships provided the U.S. Navy with a unique aerial surveillance capability. Often used as convoy escorts, the blimps were able to look down on the ocean surface and spot a rising submarine and radio its position to the convoy's surface ships. . . in essence acting as an early warning system. Modern surveillance technology eventually eclipsed the advantages of the airship fleet, and in 1962 the Navy discontinued the program. Today, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company no longer mass-produces airships but is known for its blimps that soar above major events. Benefits Some of the benefits offered include: - Medical Coverage Updated February 18, 2014 |