Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) says it plans to position Dunlop as its “core brand” globally.
On Jan. 7, SRI entered into a definitive agreement with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. to acquire the Dunlop brand for a total of $701 million.
The deal, which includes trademarks and “intangible assets necessary for the operations of the brand business in Europe, North America and Oceania,” according to a statement from Goodyear, is expected to close by the middle of 2025.
In a public statement, SRI said that with the acquisition, “except for certain regions and products, we will be able to operate our tire business globally under the Dunlop brand. By leveraging our rich heritage and strong brand recognition, we will set ourselves apart from competitors through innovative products that integrate cutting-edge technologies in addition to meeting the evolving needs of the next-generation mobility society.”
Specifically, SRI said it will focus on new products “that incorporate our innovative Active Tread technology, OE tires for premium vehicles and motor sports.
“In addition, for the Falken brand - which has been deployed in Europe, North America and Oceania - we will utilize the product planning and marketing capabilities we have cultivated in each region to focus on bold, one-of-a-kind products that appeal to its core fanbase. Through a dual-brand approach to business development, we aim to increase sales volume in each region and raise the proportion of premium products.
“Furthermore, we will position Dunlop as our core brand and advance our brand strengthening activities as a joint effort between our tire and sports businesses.”
Here's a look at the history between Goodyear, SRI and Dunlop.
