Sumitomo establishes Australian tyre sales company

Sumitomo Rubber Industries is saying g’day to Australia through a joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation to establish a tyre sales corporation in the country. Sumitomo Rubber Australia Pty. Ltd. is expected to begin operating in March 2015 and strengthen Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ replacement market consumer tyre sales in Australia. The Sydney-based office is being set up with a capital investment of AU$20 million (£10.6 million), with Sumitomo Rubber Industries and Sumitomo Corporation respectively holding a 75 per cent and 25 per cent share in the operation. Representative Kenichi Furuhama will manage approximately 60 Sumitomo Rubber Australia employees.

“The newly-established Sumitomo Rubber Australia will strive to improve customer satisfaction while expanding sales of replacement tyres in Australia through various sales and franchising activities and by introducing new products with a keen grasp of local market needs,” shares Sumitomo Rubber Industries.