Avon road tyres roll on despite UK plant closure
Owner Goodyear moves production of Avon tyres to France but drops classic racing hoopsThe 2023 closure of the original 100-year-old Avon Tyres factory has had no consequences for the firm’s DOT – or road-legal – tyres after Goodyear purchased Avon Tyres’ parent company, Cooper Tires.
Established in Melksham in the UK county of Wiltshire in 1904, Avon Tyres was purchased by Cooper Tires in 1997, but then acquired by Goodyear in 2022. Production of motorcycle road tyres was then subsequently moved to France.
Related: Understanding road bike tyres
Classic racing tyres dropped
The decision to close the original century-old factory was one based on efficiency, with the original site unable to be modernised to meet the demands of current production.
One adverse effect of the restructure has meant the firm’s popular classic racing tyres are no longer being produced, but as far as its large range of road tyres go, nothing has changed.
Road tyres continue
Greg Parker, the Avon spokesperson at the brand’s Brisbane-based distributor, Pro Accessories, told bikesales there’s still some stock left of Avon racing tyres, but said production tyres remain unaffected.
“As far as production tyres are concerned, the only thing that’s changed is the factory they’re produced in,” he said. “We’ve been bringing in containers every month from France, we’ve got a container on the water now.”
Ben Hoge, General Manager for Goodyear’s motorcycle division – which also owns Dunlop – said both brands have proud histories and exciting futures.
“As we plan for 2024 and beyond, we will reveal new product lines, technology upgrades and clear market positioning for both brands,” he said.
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