The Dunlop Tyres brand is a household name in South Africa, having been present in the country for many years and established with a major production facility as well as huge involvement in local motor sport so the fact its parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has acquired the Dunlop trademark may not seem like much.
What it does mean is Dunlop Tyres is set for greater global expansion, following the acquisition of the Dunlop trademark and other rights for four-wheel tyres in Europe, North America and Oceania from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
SRI signed a purchase agreement of $526 million (about R10-billion), which enables it to operate its tyre business globally under the Dunlop brand, cementing its presence in nearly every corner of the world.
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Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Dunlop Tyres SA, says: “We are extremely excited at the developments at the parent group level of SRSA, as it shows their continued confidence in the Dunlop brand in all regions. Through this acquisition, SRI is reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class tyres that live up to Dunlop’s legacy of performance, reliability, and cutting-edge technology.
“Just more than a year ago, SRI backed our South African operations with a multibillion investment in our uMnambithi (Ladysmith) plant for the manufacture of premium quality tyres for the SA market, with a focus on expanding the manufacturing capabilities of our premium Sport, SUV and 4x4 ranges for African and international markets.”
Dunlop has been a trusted and iconic name in the tyre industry, established 137 years ago in 1888 after John Boyd Dunlop changed the tyre world with his pneumatic tyre invention. Today, Dunlop is backed by SRI bringing the precision of Japanese engineering technology to a premium tyre brand.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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