History

Hutchinson was founded in Châlette-sur-Loing (France) in 1853 by American entrepreneur Hiram Hutchinson, who had immigrated to France and registered the first French patent for vulcanized rubber – our initial product was the Aigle rubber overlay, designed to keep shoes dry.

Hutchinson’s factory in Langléé (France), burns down. A new facility is built in its place, designed by Gustave Eiffel, architect of the Eiffel tower.

Hutchinson begins the manufacture of pneumatic rubber tires for bicycles. To this day, we continue to create some of the most high-performance cycling tires in the world.

By 1905, Hutchinson had shifted focus toward the automotive sector, recognizing the growing demand for high-quality rubber components. The Group began supplying parts to automobile manufacturers, laying the groundwork to become the world’s leading supplier of sustainable automotive seals, hoses, and antivibration components.

In 1910, Hutchinson enters the aeronautics industry, with the manufacture of a canvas specifically for inflatable hot air balloons. In the 100+ years since, we have continued to build our aeronautics expertise and expanded our activities into spaceflight.

Hutchinson welcomed young Chinese students participating in the “Work-Study Movement” in Châlette-sur-Loing (France). Among them was Deng Xiaoping, who later became the leader of China.

1934 marked a further innovation in aeronautics, when Hutchinson developed the Dynaflex engine suspension system, which reduced vibration transmission and fatigue loads within an aircraft’s structure. Initially used in the Bloch MB.200 aircraft, the innovation delivered a major improvement in aeronautic reliability.

In the 1970s, Hutchinson embarked on a series of strategic acquisitions to bolster our capabilities and market presence. We rapidly diversified our product offerings and entered new industries, including the energy sector, ultimately positioning ourselves as a comprehensive solutions provider in advanced materials and engineering.

The 1990s marked a period of significant international expansion as the Group established manufacturing facilities and partnerships in key global markets, including North America and Asia. This strategic approach enabled our teams to serve multinational clients better while adapting our products and services to meet local demands.

At the start of the new millennium, we intensified our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The Group invested in research and development to create innovative, eco-friendly materials and processes, enhancing our competitive advantage and aligning our strategy with the growing global emphasis on corporate responsibility.

By 2013, Hutchinson has 40,000 employees across 100 sites in 25 countries, delivering expertise for clients in the most demanding industries. All our subsidiaries are brought together under one Hutchinson brand, united by the same vision, as exemplified by our motto: “We make it possible.”

Today, Hutchinson is recognized as a leader in engineered solutions, with a diverse portfolio that spans automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. Drawing on our rich entrepreneurial background and world-leading expertise in multiple fields, we address our clients’ evolving needs while helping them pivot to a low-carbon future.