DUNLOP history, profile and history video
DUNLOP is one of the most iconic tire brands in the world. It was also a British multinational company, known as Dunlop Ltd. (formerly Dunlop Rubber), involved in manufacturing various natural rubber goods. Dunlop Ltd. was acquired by BRT plc in 1985 and then became a brand operated by different companies worldwide.
HISTORY
Dunlop’s origins date back to 1887, when John Boyd Dunlop invented the world’s first pneumatic tire. While watching his son ride a tricycle, John Boyd Dunlop noticed the discomfort his son has whenever he rode over cobbled ground. He knew the tricycle’s solid rubber tires were the problem and came up with the idea to wrap a rubber tube inflated with air around the rims of the tricycle, creating the first pneumatic tire.
In 1888, Dunlop knew his invention had endless potential and patented his chamber of rubber to contain air under pressure and then fastened it to a rim.
In 1889, the “Pneumatic Tyre and Booth’s Cycle Agency Co. Ltd” was incorporated.
In 1896, Dunlop opened its first tire plant in Dublin. Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company (SA) Limited started the first tire distribution depot (60 Strand Street) in Cape Town for tires manufactured in the United Kingdom.
From the late 1890s, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre began to acquire its own rubber mills, and began to process rubber.
In 1901, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre renamed “Rubber Tyre Manufacturing” to “Dunlop Rubber”.
In 1953, Dunlop provided the aviation industry with the first anti-lock braking device, called “Maxaret”, which allowed pilots to apply the brakes fully the moment the wheels touched down.
In 1962, Dunlop discovered the aquaplaning phenomenon and soon developed aquajet tires, the first ever aquaplaning-resistant tires.
In 1967, Dunlop Rubber Company Ltd. changed its name to Dunlop Ltd.
In 1972, Dunlop pioneered RunOnFlat Technology, which allows vehicles to keep driving even after a blowout.
In 1983, the European tire business was sold to its former subsidiary, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.
In 1985, the company was acquired by BTR plc, a British multinational industrial conglomerate (a multi-industry company).
In 1998, Dunlop developed the Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology (DSST) system, enabling vehicles to drive on flat tires.
In 1998, BTR plc sold its share of the South African subsidiary, Dunlop Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited, a private equity consortium. Dunlop Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited was renamed Dunlop Africa Ltd.
In 1998, BTR sold BTR Aerospace Group, including Dunlop Aviation and Dunlop Precision Rubber, to Doughty Hanson & Co to form Dunlop Standard. Dunlop Standard was sold to Meggitt plc in 2004. Meggitt has inherited the original English company, now named Dunlop Holdings Ltd, incorporated in 1896.
In 1999, Sumitomo Rubber Industries and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company formed a joint venture. Goodyear obtained the Dunlop tire assets in Europe and the U.S., and Sumitomo Rubber Industries continued to sell Dunlop tires in other countries.
In 2006, the tire business, Dunlop Tyres International was acquired by Apollo Tyres.
In 2013, Sumitomo Rubber Industries acquired the Dunlop Tyre trademark rights in Africa from Apollo Tyres. Sumitomo Rubber Industries changed its name to Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (Sumitomo Rubber South Africa) in 2014.
In 2018, Dunlop’s original equipment (OE) relationships continued to grow, with the Dunlop Grandtrek AT25 selected as the OE tire on certain Toyota models. Other local OE relationships include the following brands: Volkswagen, Nissan, UD Trucks, Tata Motors, Isuzu, and Iveco.
TIRES
TIRES BY VEHICLE
- Car tires
- 4×4 tires
- Van tires
PARTNERSHIPS: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, Jaguar, and Renault.
MOTORCYCLE TIRES
- Track
- Hypersport
- Sport & Touring
- Crossover
- Adventure & Trail
PARTNERSHIPS: Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, Fantic Motor, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Husqvarna, and Aprilia.
TRUCKS TIRES
- Truck Interregional
- Truck Regional
- Truck Mixed On/Off Road
- Truck Off road
- Bus
*Information from Wikipedia.org, www.dunloptyres.co.za, and www.dunlop.eu.
**Video published on YouTube by “Companies History“