At the start of the year Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) confirmed its intention to acquire the Dunlop tyre brand from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and since that time we’ve awaited official approval from competition authorities. Earlier this month, the European Commission gave its blessing.
In the USA, 120 Dunlop GPR-300F tyres in size 110/70R17M/C 54H have been recalled due to a problem with the breaker edge. The tyres in question were produced in the Sumitomo Rubber Industries factory in Nagoya (1EU) during production week 3924, that is 29 September to 5 October 2025.
Thanks to the recent agreement to transfer of brand rights, Dunlop is a name that’s been mentioned a lot lately. But one company may wish to hear less of it. In a refreshingly honest statement, Australia and New Zealand’s largest independent tyre importer and distributor has described its most recent financial results as “poor and unacceptable,” and while the Dunlop brand isn’t solely responsible for this predicament, it certainly hasn’t helped.
Although Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) achieved a 2.9 per cent increase in sales revenue and business profit for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2024, operating profit and profit attributable to owners of the parent company dropped significantly year-on-year. The Japanese company nevertheless anticipates an increase of both sales and profit in 2025.
The team at Tyrepress.com was puzzled when, as announced late in 2023, Goodyear strategists relegated Dunlop to the status of pan-European value tyre brand. The stated aim of positioning Dunlop within Tier 2 was to capitalise on projected growth within this segment, not to mention a wish to avoid cannibalising the Goodyear brand’s market share, but by this time Goodyear was already pursuing “strategic alternatives” for Dunlop as part of efforts to “optimise” its portfolio. Why devalue a brand you intend to sell? This logic remains opaque, but it hardly seems to matter now – Dunlop is destined to regain its premium status across Europe.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ (SRI) purchase of the Dunlop tyre brand has huge implications for the European tyre markets and beyond. Within that, the SRI-owned Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) tyre wholesale operation finds itself at the centre of ambitious plans to triple sales volumes in the UK.
Following its acquisition of Dunlop from Goodyear, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has detailed how it plans to deploy a new “dual-brand” strategy, with Dunlop positioned as its “core” and “premium” global tyre brand. SRI was always the front-runner to acquire the brand since it already operates Dunlop in various market segments. While Dunlop rights remain somewhat complex thanks to Goodyear holding on to such segments as Dunlop-branded motorcycle tyres in Europe and Oceania, SRI will now have an almost global focal point in the four-wheel car tyre segment (the deal excludes India, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in this segment). By adding the Europe, North America, and Oceania regions to its four-wheel Dunlop business, SRI wants to advance “premiumisation globally through differentiated products and enhancing brand strength” via the brand’s sporting heritage.
Goodyear has agreed to sell its Dunlop tyre brand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries in a deal worth an estimated $701 million. The definitive agreement will see the “trademarks and intangible assets necessary for operations of the brand business in Europe, North America and Oceania for consumer, commercial and other specialty tyres, together with certain associated intellectual property” transferred to SRI. The terms of the deal are relatively complex, including a Transition Offtake Agreement in Europe that will last for five years, as well as Goodyear immediately licensing back Dunlop trademarks for use on commercial vehicle tyres. Goodyear will also retain its rights to Dunlop trademarks for use on motorcycle tyres in Europe and Oceania. Goodyear expects the transaction to close by mid-2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and consultations.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has selected Rockwell Automation, Inc. to support the company’s digital transformation efforts, beginning with the installation of a Rockwell manufacturing execution system (MES) platform at its largest domestic plant, the Shirakawa City facility in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture. The factory will begin operations using the new platform in the second half of 2025.
Synthetic rubber producer Synthos has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI), manufacturer of the Falken tyre brand and Dunlop tyres for many markets outside Europe. Under the terms of this MoU, the partners will promote the development and use of high-performance rubber powders for the production of sustainable tyres.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has announced its financial results for the nine months ending 30 September 2024, showcasing moderate revenue growth and a significant increase in business profit, despite ongoing challenges in the global economic landscape and sluggish tyre sales in key markets.
The days of Falken and Dunlop tyre manufacture in North America are numbered. During a Board of Directors meeting held today, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) resolved to end production at the Tonawanda, New York-based plant operated by its Sumitomo Rubber USA, LLC (SRUSA) subsidiary, and to dissolve the subsidiary after “making the necessary preparations.” This decision affects up to 1,555 employees.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries is placing an increased emphasis upon protecting the reputation of its Dunlop tyre brand in China and is communicating with both dealers and consumers about how to identify the genuine item.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has released its consolidated financial results for H1 2024. For the six months ended 30 June, SRI reported a sales revenue of ¥587,041 million (£3.18 billion), marking a 4.6% increase from the ¥561,161 million recorded in the same period of 2023. The company’s business profit surged by 147.6%, reaching ¥42,294 million (£229.21 million), while operating profit experienced a 149.6% increase to ¥41,951 million (£227.39 million).
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is partnering with leading experts in Japan on a significant project unrelated to tyres but with substantial societal benefits. Together, they are working on developing a new cancer therapy using a “cancer cell absorption kit” that employs a unique polymer developed by Sumitomo Rubber.
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