GOODYEAR MALAYSIA

Richard J. Kramer

Chief Executive

Officer & President

Goodyear's involvement in Malaysia dates back to 1908 when The Goodyear Orient Company, a rubber buying firm, was established in Singapore to purchase rubber from plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia. The sales of Goodyear products in Malaysia began in 1929 through the office of the Goodyear Sales Company, which was established in Singapore.

In 1972, Goodyear Malaysia Berhad established its own manufacturing plant based in Shah Alam, Selangor and today is one of the leading tyre manufacturers in Malaysia. Working three shifts, the company employs nearly 700 people and produces a wide range of passenger car tyres in three different brands, namely Goodyear, Fulda and Kelly. In addition, the plant also produces light truck tyres for commercial and 4x4 applications, medium commercial and graders/tractors tyres.

As a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, USA, Goodyear Malaysia benefits from research and development support of technical centers located in Japan, Europe, and America. This support has enabled Goodyear Malaysia to produce outstanding tyres along with providing outstanding services. As a result, Goodyear Malaysia has taken the leadership position in the Malaysian tyre market.

 




Achievements

Goodyear Malaysia is one of the world's top tyre manufacturing company and has achieved excellent performance in both sales and technology. Its parent company, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, introduced the pneumatic tyre in 1899, and patented the tubeless tyre in 1903. When the Wright brothers made their first flight Goodyear was with them.

In October 1992, the company became the first Goodyear tyre plant to be certified for ISO 9002 standards, in 2002 it obtained the QS9000 and ISO14001 certifications followed by ISO / TS 16949 certification in 2003.

The company is a market leader in tyre making and it is a preferred brand by Malaysia's Original Equipment Manufacturers. Having fulfilled their high quality standard, Goodyear tyres now comes as a standard tyres for passenger and recreational vehicles for local brands - Naza, Perodua and Proton as well as the world's leading manufacturers such as BMW, Daihatsu, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Range Rovers, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen. Goodyear received multiple awards from leading automotive companies, such as, the Toyota's Outstanding Quality Performance in 2003, and Proton's Best Overall Performance as well as Perodua's Quality Performance Award for year 2008/2009. This year, for the second time in two consecutive years, Goodyear Malaysia was recognized as the Most Trusted brand for the tyre category by Reader's Digest.

In the replacement market segment, Goodyear tyres are today available throughout the country through a comprehensive network of one-stop professional tyre and car-care centers known as Goodyear Servitekar and Goodyear Autocare stores. In fact, Goodyear Malaysia takes pride in the fact that it took the lead in developing the tyre retailing business to the high level so commonly found today. Started in 1979, the Goodyear Servitekar has today grown to over 252 outlets serving the needs of motorists throughout the country.

To satisfy growing needs of different market segments, Goodyear Malaysia also imports a substantial number of tyres from its sister plants in other ASEAN countries and is becoming well positioned to take full advantage of the market liberalization under AFTA.

HISTORY AND INNOVATION

"Innovation, quality and a sharp market focus continue to drive Goodyear in the right direction. We believe we are taking the required steps to drive improving future performance."

"Innovative products are the lifeblood of our company."

"Thanks to the capabilities of our scientists, engineers and marketers, we are creating relevant technology that consumers want."

"We believe that we win if we aggressively innovate across all activities of our business."

Robert J. Keegan
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President


 

HISTORY OF THE BRAND

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company started in 1898 when Frank Seiberling purchased the company's first plant using money he borrowed from a brother-in-law. The rubber and cotton had to be transported from halfway around the world, to a landlocked town that had only limited rail transportation. Seiberling named the company after the courageous pioneer Charles Goodyear, the discoverer of vulcanisation. He also determined the distinctive winged-foot trademark that remains a symbolic link with the company's past.

From rubber company...

With just 13 workers, Goodyear production began with a product line of bicycle and carriage tyres, horseshoe pads and poker chips. After the first full month of business, sales amounted to $8,246. Since the first bicycle tyre in 1898, Goodyear has pedalled its way towards becoming the world's largest tyre company, a title it earned in 1916 when it adopted the slogan "More people ride on Goodyear tyres than on any other kind". It became the world's largest rubber company in 1926. These legendary early years set the tone which continues to be felt in all aspects of the company and in its relationship with its customers.

...to global brand

When you look today at the global Goodyear brand, with its thousands of breakthroughs, innovations, new inventions, firsts and groundbreaking improvements, you're seeing a reflection of the bold, innovative and down-to-earth character of the company's founders. Today, Goodyear is among the world's largest tyre company, with a presence on six continents. In addition to Goodyear brand tyre, it produces several other well-respected brand names including Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda, Lee, Sava and Debica, while its non-tyre business units provide rubber products and polymers for a variety of automotive and industrial markets.

 

INNOVATION

Innovation - the continuous flow of creative new ideas, products and materials - has always been at the very core of Goodyear's activities. The company established a major research facility in 1943, which has since received thousands of patents. Major inventions by Goodyear's scientists and technicians have been used not only in tyre and automotive products, but also in artificial hearts and joints, adhesives, artificial turf for playgrounds and food packaging, to name only a few. Goodyear Research was the training ground for Paul Flory, a Nobel laureate in the field of polymers. Two research associates have been awarded the Goodyear Medal, the highest award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which honours scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations. Goodyear Research scientists and engineers today come from all over the world and continue working at the cutting edge of rubber and polymer science. They have also branched out into such diverse fields as computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering mechanics, metallurgy and others to create a myriad of unique materials and processes.

Cutting-edge research

Goodyear Research was the training ground for Paul Flory, a Nobel laureate in the field of polymers. Two research associates have been awarded the Goodyear Medal, the highest award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which honours scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations.

Rubber and polymer science

Goodyear Research scientists and engineers today come from all over the world and continue working at the cutting edge of rubber and polymer science. They have also branched out into such diverse fields as computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering mechanics, metallurgy and others to create a myriad of unique materials and processes.

MILESTONES

For well over 100 years Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre technology and innovation, from Charles Goodyear creating vulcanisation in 1839 to the introduction of Bubble Blade technology in 2004. Through advanced research and manufacturing practices, Goodyear continues to produce tyres that revolutionize the industry and push the boundaries of innovation.

For over a hundred years, Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre technology. Through advanced research and manufacturing practices, Goodyear continues to push the boundaries of innovation and remains One Revolution Ahead.

1898 Frank Seilberling founded the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and chose the name "Goodyear" to honour Charles Goodyear.

1908 Henry Ford's Model T, fitted with Goodyear tyres, is a sensation with middle class consumers and car registrations skyrocket.

1964 Using Goodyear tyres, Craig Breedlove becomes the first man to top 600 miles (960km) an hour.

1969 Goodyear Aerospace helps send astronauts to the moon and return them safely to earth.

1971 Goodyear tyres were the first tyre tracks to land onto the Moon.

1992 The Goodyear Aquatreds revolutionary design makes it a hit with consumers and designs.

1998 Goodyear celebrates its 100th year anniversary.

 2001 Goodyear launches Trinuum Technology, the integration of its 3 main engineering and technical centres from around the world, including Europe, the USA and Japan.

 2003 Goodyear stands at the pinnacle of drag racing, winning the most championships in both the professional and sportsman categories, in the National Hot Rod and International Hot Rod Association competitions.

 2004 Marks Goodyear's 50th anniversary of involvement with NASCAR, and as the longest-running sponsor of the sport.

2005 As a cutting-edge technology, RunOnFlat is still undergoing heavy development. While the basic system, consisting of reinforced tyre together with a TPMS system, has been developed, tested and is now commercially available, there are more technical innovations and enhancements that are just around the corner.

2007 Goodyear introduces Eagle F1 Asymmetric in Germany, garnering multiple accolades.

 2008 Launched Goodyear Assurance – passenger tyre made with DuPontTM KEVLAR ® .

 2009 Introduced the New Goodyear DuraPlus which offers mileage up to 130,000km.

2009 Goodyear and NASA invent “Spring Tyre” for moon – an energy efficient tyre that won't go flat.