Akron was the tire capital of the world while I was growing up here. All the big names manufactured tires 24-7, leaving a perpetual tire smell if the wind came from the east.
B.F. Goodrich in the heyday
The first companies started up in the late 1800s, right before the auto and tire boom.By 1950, 130 rubber-related companies set up shop here. The companies produced over 30% of tires in the US and 90% of all rubber balloons. In high school, we all joked about “rubbers” city, but I don’t think they made those here.
After I left home in the 1970s, the rubber industry declined in Ohio. Cheaper labor in the south and west drew companies away. In the meantime, the University of Akron became a leader in polymer science. The University of Akron is home now to the Goodyear Polymer Center, the National Polymer Innovation Center, and the College of Polymer Science. This, in turn, is fueling a revival of the Akron rubber industry! I just read the following:
“Chinese tiremaker Triangle recently set up shop in Akron. The Triangle Group, the largest tire manufacturer in China, has a new home here in Akron. Along with new research company A3T LLC, the tiremaker has partnered with The University of Akron (UA) and the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) on rubber research, technology development and licensing. Visiting scientists with the Triangle Group and UA College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering faculty members will conduct joint research at the National Polymer Innovation Center and other facilities on the UA campus. These activities will be coordinated through Akron-based A3T.”
Goodyear is making a comeback as well: In April 2011 the company broke ground for Goodyear’s new global headquarters – right here in Akron,
‘This was truly a remarkable team effort and a good example of the public and private sectors working together for the common good,’ says Goodyear Chairman, CEO and President Richard Kramer. ‘Goodyear is proud to be a global company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Both Goodyear and the city have changed and grown over the years, but our commitment to Akron remains constant. Goodyear will continue to be a vital part of this community’s future.’
The new building will connect with Goodyear’s Innovation Center and serve as a central campus for the company. The Innovation Center currently has more than 800 associates. As part of the agreement, Goodyear will lease the office space through 2038 and have potential options through 2093.
What was old is new again!
