Topping ceremony held for new Goodyear HQ

On 18 November Goodyear Tire & Rubber held a topping ceremony for its new corporate and North American headquarters in Akron, Ohio, seven months to the day after its groundbreaking. A steel beam signed by hundreds of Goodyear’s Akron employees was put in place today as many of them, along with chairman and CEO Richard J. Kramer, watched the event live via video feed. The Goodyear blimp was also on hand to provide aerial coverage.

Goodyear has been headquartered in Akron since 1898. “The building represents a significant milestone in Goodyear’s long history, so it is important – and fun – to recognise such a big moment,” said Kramer. “Just as the company has evolved into a modern global business, we are transitioning from our 85-year-old headquarters to a state-of-the-art campus.”

Explaining the rationale behind the November 19 event, Goodyear notes that a topping ceremony is a tradition – much like the christening of a ship – held when a new building is erected. An evergreen tree, a symbol of growth and good luck, is placed on the beam as it is hoisted in place.

The headquarters project is scheduled to be completed in early 2013.  At that time, Goodyear will relocate about 2,000 employees into the building, which will serve as headquarters for the company’s global operations and its North American tyre business. The new building will connect with Goodyear’s existing Innovation Center and serve as a central campus for the company in Akron. As part of the company’s agreement with the project’s developers, Goodyear will lease the office space through 2038 and have potential options through 2093.