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125 years of Fulda Gummiwerke: cheers and farewell for 1,050 jobs!
Find out the history of the Fuldaer Gummiwerke, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2025, and the upcoming factory closure.
125 years of Fulda Gummiwerke: cheers and farewell for 1,050 jobs!
This year, Fuldaer Gummiwerke is celebrating a remarkable anniversary: 125 years of successful company history. Founded in 1900 by engineer Gustav Becker and businessman Moritz Hasenclever, the company has developed into an important player in the tire industry. The location in Fulda was strategically chosen on Künzeller Straße in order to take advantage of the direct connection to the rail network and the low wages. Initially, production focused on a wide range of rubber products, including shoe heels, tobacco pipes and sealing rings, until the first bicycle tires were manufactured in 1906. Travelers in 1910 were amazed at the introduction of the successful “Diadem” bicycle tire. As early as 1913, the plant had 300 employees.
The history of Fulda tires is characterized by technological innovations. In particular, the “Parabel” tires from 1925 and the first pneumatic truck tire “Elastic” from 1929 set standards in the industry. Despite the devastating destruction of the Second World War, the factory managed to restart production in temporary facilities in 1946. The fact that the company was able to survive through several world wars, mergers and technological changes speaks for its resilience.
Current challenges and changes
But the 125th anniversary celebrations come at a trying time. In November 2023, it was announced that the plant would be closed until the third quarter of 2025 due to economic difficulties, declining utilization and global production relocations. This means the end of over 1,000 jobs, many of which have spent a large part of their working lives at this plant.
In addition to these local developments, the entire tire industry is facing major changes. 5min.at reports on change caused by technological innovations and new market requirements. In recent years, demand for all-weather tires has increased significantly, especially in regions with milder winters. These tires combine the properties of summer and winter tires and are particularly cost-effective. The tire industry cannot escape modern trends: electric vehicles require specific tires with higher load capacity and low rolling resistance. These new requirements, together with the digitalization that is driving online tire sales, present manufacturers with new challenges and opportunities.
Although Fulda Tires operates as part of the Goodyear Dunlop Group and the tire development team is based at the Goodyear Innovation Center in Luxembourg, the future remains uncertain. The brand remains independent despite being taken over by Goodyear in 1962. From 2025, however, all production in Fulda will be discontinued, which poses a major challenge for the traditional brand.
Outlook into the future
The challenges are significant, but the tire industry is proving adaptable. Consumers can look forward to innovations like self-healing tires and smart tires with sensors that monitor tire pressure and temperature. However, the company could no longer shape its future in Fulda, but as part of a larger, dynamic market in the tire sector, where flexibility and strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly important.
The 125 years of Fuldaer Gummiwerke have had a lasting impact on the tire landscape, and despite the painful closure, the company's legacy remains strongly linked to the region.