Cutting a ribbon featuring the pattern of a tire tread, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. held the “Grand Opening” of its new global headquarters in Akron, Ohio, on May 9, 2013.
Goodyear Chairman, CEO and President Richard Kramer played host to Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and other people responsible for the new headquarters.
Kramer said the company’s new global headquarters represents many positive attributes of both Goodyear and its hometown.
“It represents our commitment to Akron and northeast Ohio…not just to the Akron of old, but to a revitalized, and progressive Akron that continues to evolve and prosper in groundbreaking ways. It represents genuine collaboration. Our new home was made possible by a true partnership between the public and private sectors and serves as a model for other cities to follow.
“With its advanced technology and collaborative work environment, the new headquarters is providing our associates with great opportunities to come together as one team," he said.
One of the Goodyear associates participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Paul Sandstrom, who joined the company in 1967. He was selected to represent Goodyear’s 69,000 associates at the event due to his embodiment of the company’s heritage and innovative spirit.
A polymer chemist, Sandstrom holds nearly 1,400 patents worldwide, including 285 in the United States.
The 639,000-square-foot headquarters building is home to nearly 2,000 corporate and North American Tire associates. The new building is connected to Goodyear’s existing Innovation Center and serves as a central campus for the company in Akron. The Innovation Center is currently home to almost 1,000 associates.
The Akron Innovation Center was built as a factory known as “Plant Two” in 1916 and renovated in 1978 to become the company’s global technical center.
Goodyear also manufactures tires for the NASCAR and NHRA racing series at the complex.
(To read more about what Kramer had to say at the event, especially to Modern Tire Dealer, read Editor Bob Ulrich's latest blog, "In step with Rich Kramer.")
