Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 19, 2016 02:00 AM

Despite sales slumps, 'big 3' top list of North American rubber product makers

Bruce Meyer
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    As expected, the big three tire makers of the world continued to hold those same spots among North American rubber product makers based on 2015 sales, though all three showed a drop in revenue on the continent last year.

    In fact, the top 10 rubber product makers remained the same for 2015, with the top six retaining their positions and a bit of a shuffling among the bottom four members of the group.

    Bridgestone Americas Inc. held onto the No. 1 position in Rubber & Plastics News annual ranking of North American rubber goods producers, though its estimated $10.1 billion in sales for the year was 3.7 percent lower than the $10.5 billion it posted in 2014.

    That dip in revenue, however, was not caused by lower business levels but by a stronger dollar and continued depreciation of the yen in 2015. RPN uses the average annual currency exchange rate in figuring final revenue data.

    Bridgestone reported that its North America tire unit posted steady unit growth in 2015 for passenger and light truck tires, with a strong uptick in truck and bus tire units. According to its annual report, sales in the Americas—which also include its Latin and South American businesses—accounted for 50.6 percent of company revenues last year, up from 47.5 percent in 2014.

    Michelin North America Inc. stayed in the No. 2 slot with North American sales of $8.85, down 3.3 percent from its 2014 mark of $9.14 billion, with Goodyear again No. 3 at $7.74 billion last year, off 3.8 percent from the prior year.

    Like Bridgestone, Michelin's North American sales were hurt by currency fluctuation. In its annual report, the French tire maker said that sales in North America jumped 17.4 percent in terms of euros, and that the continent's share of its global business rose to 38.1 percent from 35.2 percent in 2014.

    Goodyear, despite its lower North American sales in 2015, said its business was strong on the continent, pointing to record segment operating income of $1.11 billion in North America last year.

    The next three companies also remained in their positions for the 2015 rankings, with Continental Tire North America again No. 4 at an estimated $4.2 billion, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. next at $2.69 billion and Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. at $1.78 billion.

    Continental's figures, which were 8.9 percent higher than 2014, include that of its ContiTech non-tire rubber product business, which got a boost by closing its acquisition of the former Veyance Technologies in January 2015.

    Rounding out the top 10 was Toyo Tire (USA) Corp., moving up a spot to No. 7 at $1.78 billion; Yokohama Tire Corp., up one to No. 8 at $1.47 billion; Gates Corp., up a spot to No. 9 at an estimated $1.38 billion; and Parker-Hannifin Corp., down three spots to No. 10 at an estimated $1.14 billion.

    Six of the top 10 firms showed sales drops, with the top 10 accounting for a combined $41 billion in North American revenue for 2015, down 2.1 percent from $41.9 billion a year earlier. There were 14 firms that posted $1 billion or more in rubber product sales on the continent, one more than in 2014.

    Two showing the most substantial drops were Titan International Inc., with its North American tire sales down an estimated 26.4 percent to $535.8 million, and Fenner Dunlop Americas Inc., off 42.7 percent on the continent to $254.1 million.

    The top newcomer to the list was Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. at No. 12. It became eligible for the rankings when it dissolved its global joint venture agreements with Goodyear and took control of the tire making plant in Tonawanda, N.Y.

    Also new to the list were Boge Rubber & Plastics Group at No. 41, Wabtec Corp. at No. 49 and EnPro Industries at No. 50.

    One firm likely to join the top 50 next year is Timken Co., based on its purchase of the former Carlisle belting business from Carlstar Group, an operation that posted $150 million in sales for the year ended June 30, 2015. Timken took control of the firm on Sept. 1. Kumho Tire U.S.A Inc. also will become eligible as it opened its first North American product facility in Georgia earlier this year.

    Global non-tire top 50

    Continental A.G. strengthened its hold on the ranking of the world's top 50 non-tire rubber product firms, as its sales—bolstered by the Veyance acquisition—jumped 13.7 percent to $5.34 billion. It and Cooper Standard Automotive, which rose two spots to No. 4 and was once again the top ranked U.S.-based firm, were the only two of the top 10 to see a sales increase in terms of dollars for 2015.

    Hutchinson S.A. remained at No. 2, with Freudenberg Group again No. 3. Rounding out the top 10 were Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. at No. 5, followed by Bridgestone Corp., Gates, NOK Inc., Parker Hannifin and Trelleborg A.B.

    Newcomers to the top 20 included two Chinese firms—Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology Ltd. at No. 16 and Anhui Zhongding Sealing Parts Co. Ltd. at No. 10—along with Japan's Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. at No. 17.

    Related Articles
    Bridgestone plans Nashville office
    Gault led Rubbermaid, Goodyear to new heights
    Bridgestone appoints new EU replacement tire sales boss
    Michelin chooses Mexico for plant
    Goodyear rolls out Armor Max Pro Grade
    Michelin adding agricultural tires in Brazil
    ContiTech to build new hose plant in China
    Latin America tire market looks bright
    Cooper refreshes Zeon high performance line
    Execs say retreading rebounding in Latin America
    Parker Hannifin fined after worker's death in 2015
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Bolder, Liberty Tire collaboration sets stage for more circular industry
    2
    Formula DRIFT proving Giti's prowess, raising innovation bar
    3
    'Made in America': Giti bringing premium tires, in-demand sizes to U.S. plant
    4
    Goodyear to halve capacity at German plant, cut jobs
    5
    Enviro's Sorensson, Blomqvist named to JV Board of Directors
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION