Cooper integration milestone – production begins in Goodyear plant

Half a year after acquiring Cooper Tire & Rubber, Goodyear reports reaching a “historic integration milestone.” It has begun producing Mickey Thompson ET Front tyres at its Innovation Center Manufacturing (ICM) facility in Akron, Ohio. These are the first Cooper tyres manufactured at a Goodyear facility in the USA.

“Throughout the integration process, our teams have remained committed to working together, and this is a great example of how quickly and efficiently our motorsports groups were able to collaborate and leverage Goodyear’s manufacturing footprint,” comments Dominick Wycoff, president of Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels.

“Goodyear and Mickey Thompson have each played a monumental role in the history of drag racing,” adds Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager of global race tyres. “Now, as a combined organisation with over 100 years collectively in the sport, we’re excited to continue that momentum and innovative product development as we look to the future of drag racing.”

8 new brands

Eight tyre brands entered the Goodyear fold upon the acquisition’s finalisation. In addition to the Mickey Thompson racing and performance range, Goodyear is now linked to Avon, Cooper, Dean, Dick Cepak, Mastercraft, Roadmaster and Starfire. Its pre-acquisition portfolio included Debica, Dunlop (in selected markets), Fulda, Goodyear, Kelly and Sava.