FINDLAY, Ohio (Jan. 16, 2002)—Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. announced several new tires, including its first ultra-high performance tires, at the company's 50th anniversary stockholder/sales meetings Jan. 3-6 in Cincinnati.
The ultra-high performance tires include the Hercules G5000Z and Merit Metric XSE-Z, available in nine 40- and 45-series sizes, and the Hercules G3000V and Merit XSE-V available in eight 50- and 55-series sizes. The new tires are available now.
Prior to the introduction of the two tires, the highest speed rating on Hercules brand products had been H, a company spokesman said.
Hercules also introduced the Ultra Touring TR-T speed-rated line. The tire has a 620 AB UTQG rating and highlighted new sizes, including the P225/55R17 that will fit the current Chrysler LHS and 300M cars. It also will be available for delivery March 1, the company said.
In addition, the new Merit Mystic Touring TR will be available in late spring, Hercules said. The Ultra Touring TR and Merit Mystic Touring TR will come in 23 sizes and be available in March.
Hercules also added two performance lines. The Hercules H/P 4000 and the Merit XR 6000, both of which have S speed ratings, will will be available in March in 34 50- through 70-series sizes, and have a 440 AB UTQG rating, the company said.
The three-day event featured a “tailgate party” to coincide with the NCAA national championship college football game, stockholders meetings, business seminars and an awards banquet.
At the awards banquet, former and original board members were recognized. Among them were original members Roger Coll of Coll Tire Distributors in the Pittsburgh area, Rene Therrien of Central Tire Co. Inc. in Sanford, Maine, and Mike O'Shea of Robbins & Franke in Cliffside, N.J. The 50-year stockholder anniversary awards were presented by Hercules president Craig Anderson.
The weekend culminated with a 1950's style party to commemorate the era in which Hercules started. A costume party and '50s style entertainment highlighted the celebration.
As part of the festivities, local artist John Whitman was commissioned to paint a mural depicting the company's 50th year in business. The company spokesman said copies are being made of the work, which will hang in company headquarters in Findlay. Hercules had similar paintings done at its 20th and 40th anniversaries.