Goodrich and Uniroyal to Combine Tire Businesses

B. F. Goodrich Co., the nation’s third-largest tire maker, and No. 5 Uniroyal Inc. announced today they have agreed to combine their tire businesses into a joint venture that they will own equally.

The combination, which will have $2 billion in sales, will be the second-largest producer of automobile and light truck tires in North America, the companies said in a statement made available here.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is the biggest tire maker and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. is now the second largest.

The joint venture will manufacture and sell tires for both the original equipment and replacement markets, Goodrich and Uniroyal said.

Other Lines Untouched

The venture, which will not affect any of the remaining businesses of either company, will be called Uniroyal-Goodrich Tire Co. It will be headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with original equipment headquarters and technical facilities remaining in Troy, Mich., they said.

Together Akron-based Goodrich and Uniroyal, which has headquarters in Middlebury, Conn., will operate nine tire plants in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Named as chairman and chief executive officer of Uniroyal-Goodrich will be Patrick C. Rose, who currently is president of B. F. Goodrich. Sheldon R. Salzman, now Uniroyal’s group vice president of tires worldwide, will be vice chairman and chief operating officer.

All Brands Continued

Both Uniroyal and Goodrich brand tires, as well as private brands, will continue to be sold by the new company.