Cooper tires are made by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, with manufacturing in Findlay, Ohio, Texarkana, Texas, and additional facilities in the United Kingdom and Serbia.
Cooper Tire is known for delivering competitive quality at accessible prices, a reputation built over more than a century of production in Findlay, Ohio, and a particularly strong position in the all-season and all-terrain tire segments.
Cooper Tire is a brand under The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an American publicly traded corporation headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Goodyear acquired Cooper Tire in June 2021 for approximately $2.5 billion.
Knowing who makes Cooper tires helps buyers understand the company behind a brand that has been a staple of American independent tire dealers for generations and how its Goodyear ownership affects supply and distribution.
This article covers Cooper Tire’s founding, the Goodyear acquisition, where Cooper tires are manufactured, the current product range, and how Cooper compares to Hercules and Michelin.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Cooper Tires?
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is owned by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which completed the acquisition in June 2021 for approximately $2.5 billion.
Goodyear acquired Cooper to expand its product portfolio at lower price points and to strengthen its position with independent tire dealers, who had long been loyal Cooper customers that Goodyear had not previously served as effectively.
Cooper continues to operate as a distinct brand with its own product lineup, distribution channels, and dealer relationships, though it now has access to Goodyear’s global manufacturing, research, and supply chain resources.
When Was Cooper Tire Founded?
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1914 in Akron, Ohio, by brothers John and Claude Cooper, making it one of the oldest tire manufacturers in the United States.
The company relocated its headquarters to Findlay, Ohio, in 1917 and has maintained a major manufacturing presence there ever since. For most of the 20th century, Cooper was headquartered just 40 miles south of Goodyear’s home city of Akron.
Cooper grew steadily as an independent company for over a century, resisting multiple acquisition attempts before eventually agreeing to the Goodyear deal in 2020, with the transaction closing in June 2021.
Where Are Cooper Tires Made?
Cooper maintains significant US manufacturing operations. The Findlay, Ohio plant is the company’s flagship facility and has produced tires there since the company relocated from Akron over 100 years ago. The Texarkana, Arkansas plant is a second major US facility.
Cooper also operates the Melksham, England facility, which produces Cooper tires for the European market. A plant in Kruševac, Serbia serves as an additional production site for the European region.
Through the Goodyear acquisition, Cooper’s manufacturing footprint integrates with Goodyear’s global network, though Cooper-branded tires are still produced at Cooper’s own facilities.
What Tires Does Cooper Currently Offer?
Cooper’s US lineup covers passenger, light truck, and SUV applications across several product families. The CS5 series covers grand touring all-season tires for passenger cars. The Discoverer series covers all-terrain, highway terrain, and all-season options for trucks and SUVs.
The Discoverer AT3 is one of Cooper’s most popular all-terrain truck tires, well regarded for its balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability. Cooper also offers the Zeon line for high-performance passenger cars.
The full current Cooper lineup is available through Goodyear’s dealer network and at major tire retailers. Product details are at Cooper Tires’ official website.
Cooper vs Michelin vs Goodyear: Who Makes Each?
All three are major tire brands but at different market tiers and from different corporate structures. Cooper is now a subsidiary of Goodyear. Goodyear is an independent American publicly traded company. Michelin is owned by Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin, a French publicly traded company, and is the world’s largest tire manufacturer by revenue.
The fact that Cooper is owned by Goodyear creates an unusual situation where the parent company competes with its own subsidiary in the tire market. Goodyear positions its own brand at a higher price point while allowing Cooper to serve more price-conscious buyers.
Michelin leads globally in premium tire technology and consistently tops performance rankings. Goodyear competes at mid to premium tiers. Cooper positions as a value alternative with a strong track record, particularly for truck and SUV tires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Cooper Tires Are Made
Is Cooper a good tire brand?
Cooper is widely regarded as a solid mid-tier tire brand offering dependable performance at prices below premium brands like Michelin and Bridgestone. The Discoverer AT3 in particular earns consistently strong reviews from truck and SUV owners for its combination of off-road capability and everyday drivability.
Does Goodyear own Cooper tires?
Yes. Goodyear acquired Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in June 2021 for approximately $2.5 billion. Cooper operates as a Goodyear subsidiary with its own brand identity, product lineup, and dealer network.
Are Cooper tires made in the USA?
Yes. Cooper manufactures tires at its Findlay, Ohio, and Texarkana, Arkansas plants in the United States. These two US facilities have been producing tires for over a century and remain operational under Goodyear’s ownership.
When was Cooper Tire founded?
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1914 in Akron, Ohio, by brothers John and Claude Cooper. It relocated to Findlay, Ohio, in 1917 and operated as an independent company for over 100 years before being acquired by Goodyear in 2021.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.