Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

In 1914, two brothers-in-law, John F. Schaefer and Claude E. Hart, purchased the M and M Manufacturing Company in Akron, Ohio, a business that made tire patches and repair kits. A year later, they bought The Giant Tire & Rubber Company, a tire rebuilding business, and eventually moved the entire operation to Findlay, Ohio in 1917. This collection of assets formed the foundation of what would become a major American tire manufacturer. The company was renamed The Cooper Corporation in 1926 in honor of I.J. Cooper, a director who had established the 'Cooper Creed' of 'good merchandise, fair play, and a square deal.' This philosophy guided the company's focus on producing high-quality replacement tires. By not focusing on original equipment for new cars, Cooper carved out a durable niche in the automotive aftermarket. For decades, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company operated as an independent force in the tire industry, going public on the New York Stock Exchange and building a global presence. The most significant event in its recent history occurred in 2021 when the company was acquired by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. This move combined two of the largest American tire manufacturers, creating a stronger U.S.-based leader in the global tire industry. The acquisition marked the end of an era for Cooper as an independent entity but integrated its century of expertise into a larger American automotive legacy.