History and Heritage of Vredestein

2023 was a highly successful year for our brand, Vredestein. We fully introduced our European high-quality tyres to the Indian market. Establishing exclusive retail outlets with a diverse range of tyres, Vredestein paved the way for the future of global tyre technology. Vredestein tyres have been continuing to gain traction in North America as well, achieving podium positions across its tyre categories whilst maintaining its superior position in the European market.

Beginning as a rubber factory and transitioning to tyre production, Vredestein has weathered significant historical events such as World Wars and severe economic turmoil, emerging as a premier tyre manufacturer. Shaped by over a century of European craftsmanship and driven by innovation, the Apollo Vredestein Banden B.V has brought a synergy in R&D, manufacturing and market reach. 

Below, we delve into how it all began, from the start of the 20th century, achieving pioneering milestones, becoming a brand of firsts, and furthering the legacy riding into the future.

Origins 

Towards the end of 1908, Emile Louis Constant Schiff became the owner of the Nederlandse Guttapercha Maatschappij, a company for the raw material gutta-percha, a hard rubber-like substance in Delft, the Netherlands. The following year, in 1909, Schiff moved the company to the village of Loosduinen, setting up N.V. Rubberfabriek Vredestein. The name of the company came from the name of the farm he bought, where he began the production of all kinds of rubber products ranging from shoe heels to tennis balls, boots, and floor coverings.

A fire destroyed most of the factory in Loosduinen in 1934, and a bicycle tyre factory was set up in Doetinchem. 13 years later, the Schiff laid the foundation for Vredestein’s plant in Enschede. By 1962, amid a period of oil crisis across the tyre industry, a merger with N.V. Rubberfabrieken Hevea accelerated the company’s growth. Riding on the wave of globalisation in the 70s, the Vredestein brand began to gain a foothold in the automotive industry by producing tyres across cars, agricultural, industrial and two-wheeler segments. Over the next decade, Vredestein tyres made their way into overseas markets, with products available in over 125 countries.

Meanwhile, building on the remarkable growth of Apollo Tyres under my father’s vision and furthering the company’s global aspirations, 2009 marked a pivotal moment in our business. The acquisition of Vredestein opened the doors to the European market for us, enriching our product mix. This move expanded Apollo Tyres’ foothold in the international market and enabled Vredestein to benefit from a reservoir of resources and market insights.

A brand of many firsts

The vision at Vredestein has always been to redefine the driving experience with innovation at its heart. Through investments in research and development, Vredestein has achieved pioneering milestones throughout the century since its inception.

1965 saw the introduction of the first Vredestein Winter car tyre, M&S 187. A decade later, in 1979, the Vredestein Snow + was revealed, gaining an excellent reputation and remains the foundation of Vredestein’s global market position as a leading winter tyre brand. The addition of Wintrac in 1996 enabled safe, high-speed driving in cold weather conditions.

The 90s also marked the introduction of the Quatrac, and Vredestein became one of the pioneers of the all-season tyres in Europe. Vredestein’s all-season tyres solved a crucial problem by eliminating the need to invest in an extra set of tyres and wheels for the changing seasons while ensuring ultimate safety. The all-season tyres performed almost as well in the snow as winter tyres and occasionally outperformed summer tyres on wet roads.

Since the introduction of their all-season tyres, their Quatrac range, in particular, has achieved significant developments. Many Quatrac tyres pioneered their innovations, with the Quatrac 3 winning the title of ‘World’s first all-season tyre with ‘RunFlat’ technology, the Quatrac 5 as the ‘World’s first all-season tyre with Y speed rating,’ and the Quatrac Pro as the ‘first all-season tyre fully dedicated to the UHP/UUHP segment.’

Driving into the future

The Vredestein timeline is a testament to our dedication to transformation and excellence. The rich 115-year heritage serves as a solid foundation, and our commitment to R&D is what will guide us into the future. 

By seeking out opportunities in the ordinary and reinventing the norm, Vredestein is poised to create exceptional driving experiences, not just for today but for generations to come.

As we continue our growth journey into the future, innovation, quality, and a passion for driving excellence steer our path.