Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Business Management

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is a manufacturer of tires and rubber products, engaging in operations in most regions of the world. Its operating sections are North American Tire; European Union Tire; Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire (Eastern Europe Tire); Latin American Tire; Asia/ Pacific Tire; Engineered Products, and Chemical Products. On January 1, 2005, the Company integrated Chemical Products into North American Tire.

Despite a worldwide alliance with Sumitomo Rubber Industries designed to dominate the tire industry, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is the #3 tire maker in the world, behind Bridgestone and Michelin. Other Goodyear products include automotive hoses and belts and industrial chemicals. It operates about 90 plants worldwide, and has nearly 1,700 retail tire and auto centers. Goodyear sells tires for the replacement market, as well as to automakers and agricultural equipment makers. In addition to its own brand of tires, Goodyear makes Dunlop tires for sale in North America and Europe through its alliance with Japan's Sumitomo.

In the current market, there are 30 competitors in the tire industry that compete against Goodyear, however Bridgestone leads the way. Bridgestone is the world's largest tire maker, but in addition to supplying tires to most major car manufacturers, the company also makes tires for heavy equipment such as off-road mining vehicles and aircrafts. Some of their non-tire products include but are not limited to building materials such as roof tiles, sporting goods, conveyor belts, marine components, and switches.

Runner up to Bridgestone would be the Michelin Man him self, whose name we found out, is really Bibendum. Michelin produces more than 190 million tires a year. Compagnie GÐ"©nÐ"©rale des Ð"‰tablissements Michelin sells about 36,000 products, including tires, wheels, and inner tubes used on passenger cars and trucks, aircraft, bicycles, and agricultural vehicles. Included in Michelin's joint ventures, there are tire brands recognized all over the world BF Goodrich and Uniroyal, as well as more regional lines Kleber in Europe and Warrior in China. Other company products include travel publications such as road maps and travel guides. A versatile corporation, Michelin owns rubber plantations and factories around the world.

Yet another company that's catching up to good year rather quickly is Continental AG. Continental AG keeps their reputation as Germany's largest manufacturer of tires for cars, trucks, bicycles, and agricultural products. Continental sells its tires under the Continental, Uniroyal, and General brands, to automakers such as BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and Porsche. Through its ContiTech division, the company produces power transmission systems, engine and suspension mounts, and vehicle interiors. Continental also makes electronic brake and traction control systems Continental Teves. Continental has acquired