About Us

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
866-711-4673


E-mail Bob Jacobs

 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.