After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945, Murray M. Jacobs and his new bride, 'Jackie,' left Brooklyn, New York for their new home in St. Petersburg, Florida. They opened "Jackie & Murray's Sunset Beach Playground," where they served hot dogs for 10¢ and a cold beer for only 25¢.
During the 2 years of owning & operating the restaurant, Murray found himself reacquainted with his Uncle Mo Bilchick, who had himself retired from the rubber business in Brooklyn. With Uncle Mo's help Murray established his own rubber business in February of 1948 and Goodyear Rubber Products' first storefront was opened at 2734 Central Avenue.
The business was a family affair: Murray's mother handled the books, Jackie's dad handled the customers, Jackie herself answered the phone, and young Murray loaded up his station wagon each morning with garden hose, matting, rainwear and gloves, and circled his route of 'Mom-Pop' hardware strores. Murray made monthly rounds North to Port Richey, South to Venice, and East to Lakeland heralding his motto, "IF IT'S RUBBER, WE HAVE IT!"
As the years passed, Murray Jacobs offered his wide range of industrial rubber products to the neighboring cities and counties. The emergence of industry along the West Central coast of Florida inspired Murray to become a key supplier of a wide range of industrial rubber products for the region's growing markets.
In 1986 Murray M. Jacobs passed away, and Jackie once again found herself active in the business. With her son, Bob, at her side they began moving toward expansion. Goodyear Rubber Products' first satellite location was opened in 1991 in Clearwater. 1995 saw the opening of the Fort Myers Parker Store, followed by Parker stores in Bradenton and Tampa in 2000. Along the way an exciting new concept was developing: the "Hose Doctor," a mobile van equipped to fabricate and install hoses on the job site!
In 2000 Jackie passed away leaving a legacy behind her. With Bob 'at the helm,' surrounding himself with a hard-working & talented crew, the 'Goodyear Family' lives on.
Partners
Accuflex
Memphis
Glove
Ace Rubber
Midland
Metal
Anchor Swan
R.C.
Musson
Anco
National
Equipment
Angus Fire
Nelson/Weather-Rite
Apache Mills
Nephi
Rubber
Band-It
Neese
Banjo
Noshok
Bayco
Obac
Bee
Valve
Oetiker
Biltrite
Corporation
Pacific
Echo
Boston
Industrial Products
Parker
Hannifin
H.L.
Bouton Company
Penflex
Campbell
Fittings
Precision
Gauze
Cherokee
Rubber Co.
Primtec
Dana
Protexall
Darco
Southern
P.T.
Coupling
Dayco
Purosil
Dixon
Valve & Coupling
Reelcraft
ERB
Safety Inc.
Rivercity
Ever-Tite
Coupling Co.
Rostra
Federal
Hose Mfg. Corp.
Rub,
Inc.
Flexible
Technologies
Rubbercraft
Flexaust
Hose & Duct
Rubatex
Flexible
Metal Hose Co.
Salem
Republic
Gates
Rubber Co.
Snap
Tite
Gilmour
Specialty
Mfg.
Goodyear
Tire & Rubber
Sun
Flow
Home
Rubber
Super
Swivels
Hygenic
Synaflex
Intermetal
Hose
Teleflex
IRPCO
Tennessee
Mat
JA-BAR
Thermoid
KANAFLEX
Titan
Kentak
Trident
Key
Fire Hose
Tridon
KITZ
Trident
Kuriyama
Tomco
LaCross
Unaflex
Lawrence
Industries
U-Nova
Legend
Valve
Webstone
Mantaline
Zone
Distributing
Leadership
We're
Here When You Need Us
Each of our leaders can be reached by telephone
at
Toll Free 866-711-4673
Bob
has been with Goodyear Rubber Products his entire life.
His parents started the business in 1948, and he has
been living Industrial Distribution since his birth.
A USF alumnus, Bob's Dad had him coupling hoses and knocking
on doors with literature at a young age.
Now Goodyear Rubber Products'
President, Bob started out sweeping floors as a toddler,
then working in the warehouse. From there he moved
Into outside sales, became Sales Manager and now oversees
the entire operation. His emphasis on keeping
the company a 'family-style' business is a key to the company's
success.
In his spare time Bob enjoys
boating and playing music. He plays guitar and
sings in a local band.
Dick
has been with Goodyear Rubber Products Company since July
of 1971. A
Marine veteran, Dick joined Goodyear after leaving the
Corps.
Dick has served in almost
every capacity at Goodyear possible. From truck
driver to working the warehouse, to General Manager and
now Vice President, Dick's sunny disposition and long-term
experience are assets to our company in more ways than
can be counted. When the chips are down, Dick will
find a solution.
An avid boater, spare time
for Dick is spent primarily on the water.
An
Auburn University alumnus, Eric got into the Industrial
Distribution business in 1982. A computer programmer
at the time, he was doing some custom software work for
an industrial rubber distributor who ended up hiring him.
In addition to doing computer work for the distributor,
Eric eventually went into inside sales and outside sales.
In May of 1997, Goodyear
Rubber Products Company hired Eric. He spent
time in both inside sales and outside sales before being
appointed General Manager and Corporate Secretary in January
of 1999. Since taking over those positions, Eric has encouraged
growth by bringing in new products and emphasizing training.
He has also spent a lot of time negotiating with
vendors and bringing in new personnel to support Goodyear
Rubber Products' growth.
Boating and fishing are
the ways Eric prefers to spend his spare time.
A
graduate of USF, Glenn has been in this industry since 1980 in
an outside sales capacity. He joined our team as Sales Manager
in January of 2002, and brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm
and a great number of ideas to the table. Emphasizing training
and innovative products, his philosophy fits with the directions
Goodyear is heading. His engineering background lends strongly
towards his ability to come up with solutions to our customer's
application problems.
In a reoccurring theme throughout
Goodyear Rubber's management team, Glenn spends his spare time
fishing and boating.
Michael
came to Goodyear Rubber Products, Inc. in January of 2004
with over 30 years of Industrial Rubber experience. As Marketing
Manager and Sales Coordinator, Michael works with the inside
sales staff and is spearheading many of the internet and
other marketing efforts that Goodyear is undertaking.
Factory trained by Goodyear
Tire and Rubber Company and Garlock Industries, Michael
brings Conveyor Belt, Hose, Seal, Packing and Expansion
Joint experience to the table, to complement his marketing
efforts.
A Tampa native, Michael graduated
Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Florida. His
fluency in Spanish is also an asset.
His hobbies include coaching
high school baseball. An avid fan of the Buccaneers, the
Devil Rays, the Lightning, the Storm and the USF Bulls,
Michael finds his “spare” time full of activity.
