General Tire

General Tire is an American tire brand whose origins trace to Akron, Ohio, one of the historic centers of the United States tire industry. The business was established on September 29, 1915, as The General Tire & Rubber Company by William Francis O'Neil, Winfred E. Fouse, Charles J. Jahant, Robert Iredell, and H. B. Pushee. Initial financing came from Michael O'Neil, William Francis O'Neil's father, who operated O'Neil's Department Store in Akron. The company developed from William O'Neil's earlier experience in tire retailing and the manufacture of tire-repair materials. The company initially concentrated on rubber repair products, but moved into tire manufacturing in 1916. Its early strategy emphasized higher-value tires rather than an exceptionally broad product range. During the difficult economic conditions surrounding the First World War, General Tire built a dealer network and began national advertising. By 1930, it operated 14 retail stores and held a reported 1.8 percent share of the U.S. tire market. During the Great Depression, it acquired Yale Tire and Rubber Company and India Tire and Rubber Company, increasing its reported market share to approximately 2.7 percent by 1933. General Tire later became much more than a tire manufacturer. In the mid-20th century, the company diversified into broadcasting and entertainment, as well as tennis balls, wrought-iron products, soft drinks, chemicals, plastics, and other industrial activities. Its broadcasting interests expanded through acquisitions including the Yankee Network, Don Lee Broadcasting System, and WOR in New York. In 1955, the company acquired RKO Radio Pictures, primarily to obtain programming content for its television properties. These media holdings eventually operated under RKO General, while the company's aerospace activities developed through Aerojet General, a business connected to rocket-engine and aerospace manufacturing. The corporate structure was reorganized in 1984, when General Tire's industrial, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting activities were placed under GenCorp, Inc. The tire division was sold to German manufacturer Continental AG in 1987 during a broader restructuring intended partly to resist a hostile takeover attempt. Following the transaction, the tire business operated for a period as Continental General Tire Corp. and was subsequently incorporated into Continental's North American tire operations. Today, General Tire is a Continental-owned sub-brand rather than an independent publicly traded tire company. Its range is associated principally with replacement tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, sport-utility vehicles, off-road applications, commercial trucks, and selected specialty uses. The Grabber family is particularly associated with pickup, SUV, all-terrain, mud-terrain, and off-road driving, while the Altimax family serves passenger-car and touring applications. Product availability and naming vary by market. The brand's historical identity is rooted in American manufacturing and dealer distribution, while its present product development, manufacturing, and commercial organization are part of Continental's global tire business.

General Tire began in Akron, Ohio, in 1915, when William Francis O'Neil and four associates established The General Tire & Rubber Company with capital supplied by Michael O'Neil. William O'Neil had previously operated a Firestone dealership in Kansas City, Missouri, and had established businesses making and distributing tire-repair materials. His dissatisfaction with the way Firestone reduced the territories of earlier franchisees encouraged him to compete directly in tire manufacturing and distribution. The new company initially followed the repair-materials model, but entered tire production in 1916. It recruited experienced personnel from the established tire industry and concentrated on higher-end products. In 1917, despite the difficult wartime commercial environment, General Tire created a dealership network and launched an advertising program. The company remained comparatively selective in its product range. By 1930, it had 14 retail stores and approximately 1.8 percent of the U.S. tire market. The Depression created severe pressure throughout the industry, but General Tire used the period to acquire Yale Tire and Rubber Company and India Tire and Rubber Company. Its reported market share reached about 2.7 percent by 1933. After the Second World War, General Tire progressively diversified. Its activities expanded beyond tires into rubber and industrial products, tennis balls, wrought iron, soft drinks, chemicals, plastics, and eventually motion-picture and video production. Broadcasting became especially important. In 1943, the company purchased the Yankee Network and associated radio stations. It acquired the Don Lee Broadcasting System in 1950 and, in 1952, purchased WOR radio and television assets in New York. These properties were combined in General Teleradio. The company then purchased RKO Radio Pictures from Howard Hughes in 1955. General Tire was mainly interested in RKO's film library as a source of television programming; the Hollywood studio lot was sold to Desilu Productions in 1956. The remaining interests were integrated into the RKO General organization. The company also developed a major aerospace connection. Aerojet, founded by California Institute of Technology engineers, partnered with General Tire to obtain capital, materials expertise, rubber-binder knowledge, and chemical manufacturing capability. The resulting Aerojet General business became a significant part of the wider corporate group. By 1984, the broad collection of tire, industrial, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting businesses had been placed under the GenCorp, Inc. holding company. GenCorp undertook a large restructuring in 1987, partly in response to a hostile takeover attempt by General Acquisition, Inc. The tire division, General Tire, was sold to Continental AG. It became Continental General Tire Corp. before being incorporated into Continental's later North American tire structure. Other GenCorp activities followed separate paths: the compounds operation was spun off and became OMNOVA Solutions, while the aerospace business remained within the corporate lineage that eventually became Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings. Under Continental ownership, General Tire continued as a consumer and commercial tire brand rather than as a standalone conglomerate. Its modern assortment is centered on passenger vehicles, light trucks, SUVs, off-road vehicles, and commercial trucks. Grabber products are strongly associated with pickup, SUV, all-terrain, and mud-terrain applications; Altimax products are associated with passenger-car and touring use. The brand's current market presence and product portfolio are managed within Continental's global tire organization, and availability differs by country and vehicle segment.

1. 1991RKO General exits broadcasting

   After a long licensing dispute connected with alleged unethical conduct at television stations, RKO General is forced out of the broadcasting business.

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2. 1987Continental AG acquires the tire division

   GenCorp sells General Tire to Continental AG, transforming the brand into part of Continental's tire operations.

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3. 1984GenCorp holding-company structure is created

   General Tire's principal business divisions are reorganized as subsidiaries of GenCorp, Inc.

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4. 1955RKO Radio Pictures is acquired

   The company buys RKO Radio Pictures to obtain film-library content for its television operations.

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5. 1952WOR assets join General Teleradio

   General Tire acquires WOR radio and television interests in New York and combines its broadcasting properties under General Teleradio.

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6. 1950Don Lee Broadcasting System is acquired

   The company expands its radio holdings on the U.S. West Coast through the purchase of the Don Lee Broadcasting System.

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7. 1943Entry into broadcasting

   General Tire purchases the Yankee Network and its radio interests, beginning a major expansion beyond tire manufacturing.

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8. 1933Depression-era acquisitions increase market share

   Acquisitions of Yale Tire and Rubber Company and India Tire and Rubber Company help raise General Tire's reported market share to about 2.7 percent.

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9. 1930General Tire reaches 14 retail stores

   The company operates 14 retail stores and holds approximately 1.8 percent of the U.S. tire market.

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10. 1917Dealer distribution and advertising expand

    General Tire establishes a dealership network and begins an organized advertising campaign.

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11. 1916The company enters tire manufacturing

    After beginning with tire-repair materials, General Tire expands into the manufacture of tires.

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12. 1915The General Tire & Rubber Company is founded

    William Francis O'Neil and four partners establish the company in Akron, Ohio, with financing from Michael O'Neil.

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A Continental-owned tire brand with an American heritage, positioned around durability, dependable road performance, and specialized capability for trucks, SUVs, passenger vehicles, and off-road use.

• GrabberLight-truck, SUV, all-terrain, and off-road tires

  Grabber is General Tire's best-known family for pickup trucks, SUVs, and off-road-oriented vehicles. The range covers applications from highway and mixed-use driving to all-terrain and mud-terrain conditions. Depending on the specific model and market, Grabber tires emphasize traction, casing durability, handling stability, and resistance to the demands of rough surfaces. Product specifications and model availability vary by region.

• AltimaxPassenger-car and touring tires

  Altimax is a passenger-vehicle tire family associated with touring, highway, and everyday road use. Models in the family are intended for drivers seeking a balance of wet and dry-road control, ride comfort, tread life, and year-round usability. The exact lineup differs by vehicle fitment and market, and some versions are designed for seasonal or winter conditions.

• Commercial and semi-truck tiresCommercial vehicle tires

  General Tire has historically manufactured tires for trucks and semi-trucks. Commercial products are designed for heavier vehicle loads, extended road operation, and fleet requirements such as mileage, casing serviceability, traction, and operating-cost control. Specific commercial ranges and branding have changed over time as the business became integrated with Continental's broader North American tire organization.

• 1987Sell the tire division to Continental AGM&A

  GenCorp undertook a large restructuring while also seeking to address a hostile takeover attempt by General Acquisition, Inc.

  What changed. GenCorp sold General Tire to Continental AG.

  Aftermath. General Tire became part of Continental's North American tire business and continued as a brand rather than an independent conglomerate.

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• 1984Reorganize the diversified group under GenCorpStrategy

  General Tire had become a conglomerate with tire, industrial, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting interests.

  What changed. The operating divisions were placed under GenCorp, Inc. as subsidiaries.

  Aftermath. The holding-company structure preceded a major restructuring and the 1987 sale of the tire division to Continental AG.

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• 1943Diversify into broadcastingStrategy

  The company had acquired radio stations for advertising and viewed broadcasting as a way to broaden its business beyond manufacturing.

  What changed. General Tire purchased the Yankee Network and associated radio properties.

  Aftermath. The acquisition initiated a large broadcasting and entertainment portfolio that later included RKO Radio Pictures.

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• 1916Move from repair materials into tire manufacturingStrategy

  The company was initially built around tire-repair materials and the founders' experience in tire retailing and distribution.

  What changed. General Tire began manufacturing tires and focused its early range on higher-end products.

  Aftermath. The move established the tire business that became the company's core industrial division and later its principal asset.

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• 1991RKO General television licensing disputeControversy

  General Tire's diversified corporate group became entangled in a lengthy regulatory dispute over alleged unethical conduct at RKO General television stations. The matter contributed to the loss of broadcast licenses and the eventual exit of RKO General from the television business. This episode concerned the broadcasting division rather than the tire products themselves.

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• 1987General Tire is sold to Continental AG

  GenCorp sold its tire division to German tire manufacturer Continental AG as part of a major corporate restructuring. The transaction transferred General Tire from an independent American conglomerate to Continental's North American tire operations.

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• 1984General Tire's corporate parent reorganizes under GenCorp

  The company's tire, industrial-products, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting activities were reorganized as subsidiaries of GenCorp, Inc.

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• 1955General Tire acquires RKO Radio Pictures

  General Tire acquired RKO Radio Pictures, primarily seeking access to its film library for use by the company's television stations. The acquisition expanded the company's entertainment portfolio.

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• 1943General Tire expands into broadcasting and entertainment

  The company acquired the Yankee Network and related radio assets, accelerating a diversification program that eventually included major radio, television, and film holdings.

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1. General Tire