Editing BTR plc (section)

===Early years===
BTR can trace its origins back to 1924, at which point the American rubber specialist [[Goodrich Corporation|B.F.Goodrich Company]] formed a UK-based subsidiary, British Goodrich Rubber Co. Ltd. During 1934, Goodrich opted to sell the majority of its shares in the company, which promptly changed its name to the British Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd. Shortly thereafter, it was successfully [[Initial public offering|floated]] on the [[London Stock Exchange]].<ref name="cc85"/> The company primarily focused on the manufacture of tyres for road vehicles, conveyor belts, and industrial hoses. It benefitted considerably from several innovations developed during the [[Second World War]], such as [[synthetic rubber]] and [[plastics]].<ref name="cc85"/> By 1955, British Tyre & Rubber was one of eleven tyre manufacturers operating in the UK.<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119185105/www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1950_1959/fulltext/012c05.pdf Competition Commission Report c. 1955] para 68.</ref>

During 1956, the company opted to cease production of tyres in favour of its other activities as this business unit was becoming increasingly unprofitable.<ref name="cc85"/> To reflect the company's changing product line, its name was changed to BTR Limited. The late 1950s and early 1960s were marked by efforts towards diversification and rationalisation, however, BTR achieved poor fiscal performance up until the mid-1960s.<ref name="cc85">{{usurped|1=[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119203942/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1982/fulltext/152c02.pdf Competition Commission report 1982]}}</ref>