Hutchinson SA

Bicycle with Hutchinson tires

Hutchinson designs and produces customized materials and connected solutions to respond to the needs of its global customers, on land, in the air and at sea. A global leader in vibration control, fluid management, sealing system technologies, and belt drive systems, our Group stands out with a multiple market offering spanning multiple areas of expertise and delivering synergies and value-added. Hutchinson reported revenues of €4.040 billion in 2016 and has more than 41,000 employees in 25 countries. Our ambition is to contribute to safer, more comfortable and more responsible mobility for the future.

History

Late 19th century

• In 1853, the American engineer Hiram Hutchinson met Charles Goodyear in Paris. Hutchinson obtained patents for Goodyear, based on a technological monopoly, with the first factory in Langlée, near Montargis.
• In 1860, the third plant opened at Mannheim, Germany, which served the Central European markets.
• In 1890, the company began the manufacture of bicycle tires.

1900-1920

• In 1903, Hutchinson diversified their operations from the manufacturing of bicycle tires. Hutchinson provided the coated canvas for airplanes and airships.
• In 1918, Hutchinson headquarters moved to the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
• In 1920, Hutchinson expanded into many sectors, including shoes, clothing, Textile, automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, heavyweights, balloon, heels, mats, belts, gaskets for jars.

1930-1960

• In 1932, the first artificial sponges were invented.
• In 1934, Jean-Felix Paulsen and Stratosky, former colleagues at Citroën, founded the company 'Paulstra' 'to develop a method for adhering rubber to metal.
• In 1948, Mapa was formed, following the acquisition of a latex plant, manufacturing gloves.
• In 1965, fifteen million pairs of gloves were produced and more than six million were exported to sixty countries.

1970-1980

• In 1973, Hutchinson and Mapa merged and Jean-Felix Paulsen sold Paulstra to Hutchinson Mapa (which was renamed Hutchinson in 1981).
• In 1974, the company Total took a majority stake in the company. The new company had 13,500 people in 26 different sites. The Hutchinson Group focused its major markets in automobiles, heavy industry and the general consumer public.
• In 1986, Hutchinson acquired two major companies: Le Joint Français (for rubber manufacturing) and Corduroy Rubber Compagny (antivibration motor activity), marking the beginning of a new globally-focused Hutchinson.
• In 1989, the artificial sponges assumed the brand name Spontex .^[1]

References

External links

• Official web site