TEXARKANA, Ark.—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. employees at the Texarkana light truck tire plant had plenty to celebrate when the 400 millionth tire was manufactured on site last month.
The tire, a Discoverer STT Pro, was produced Feb. 8 at the 55-year-old plant and marked a major milestone for the facility, which has produced more tires than any other Cooper Tire facility.
"For perspective, 400 million tires, stacked end-to-end, would stretch nearly 200,000 miles or the equivalent of eight trips around the world," Texarkana Plant Manager Scott Cole said in a statement. "We have been committed to building quality products for more than 50 years in Texarkana, and that dedication and drive has been essential to the plant's success."
Employees, local dignitaries and community members gathered Feb. 21 to celebrate the plant's achievement. As part of the celebration, which was organized around the theme of sustaining excellence, Cooper donated 19 sets of tires to local teachers and other educators, an expression of gratitude for the excellence they exhibit daily.