Seiberling Rubber Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Tire manufacturing |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founder | Frank Seiberling |
| Defunct | 1965 |
| Fate | Acquired by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company |
| Successor | Firestone Tire and Rubber Company (later Bridgestone) |
| Headquarters | Barberton, Ohio , United States |
Area served | United States; later overseas markets |
Key people | Frank Seiberling (founder) |
| Products | Tires |
| Parent | Firestone Tire and Rubber Company (from 1965) |
The Seiberling Rubber Company was a United States-based tire producer established in 1921 by Frank Seiberling, who was also the founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. In 1965, the company was purchased by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and subsequently became part of Bridgestone after its acquisition of Firestone.
History
Frank A. Seiberling created Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio in 1898. After leading as president for 15 years, he and his brother Charles departed from Goodyear in 1921 to start the Seiberling Rubber Company located in Barberton, Ohio. Within a span of six years, Seiberling climbed from the 330th position to become the 7th largest tire manufacturer. During World War II, the firm produced tires for heavy artillery and introduced innovations including the Saw-Tooth Tread and tire Heat-Vents.
From the 1940s through the 1950s, Seiberling’s marketing campaigns highlighted its tagline, "A name you can trust in Rubber." In the mid-1960s, the company unveiled the SuperWideSport line, a bias-belted tire designed for the expanding Muscle Car segment. This tire featured a whitewall on one side and a redline on the other, competing with offerings such as Goodyear's Polyglas, Firestone's Wide-Oval, Uniroyal's Tiger Paw, Atlas Plycron 2plus2, and BFGoodrich's Radial T/A. By the early 1970s, some Seiberling tires were selected as original equipment by prominent automobile manufacturers.
Although achieving notable milestones, Seiberling faced challenges adjusting to market changes, especially with the emergence of radial tires introduced by international rivals. The company was absorbed by Firestone in 1965 and later integrated into Bridgestone’s portfolio. While Seiberling tires are no longer available in the U.S., they continue to be manufactured at Firestone facilities for cost-conscious buyers in certain overseas markets.
See also
- Frank Seiberling
- Seiberling Mansion
- Bridgestone
- Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
- Dayton Tires
- Tire manufacturing
- List of tire companies
- Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
References
- The Goodyear Tire and Rubber website
- Seiberling visual history organization
- Ohio history central organization
- Archived history of Barberton (1912–1929)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Tire manufacturers of the United States
- Companies based in Akron, Ohio
- 1921 establishments in Ohio
- 1965 mergers and acquisitions
- American brands
- American companies established in 1921
- Automotive companies established in 1921
- Automotive companies of the United States
- Bridgestone
- Manufacturing companies based in Nashville, Tennessee