Dunlop, originating from the innovations of John Boyd Dunlop, is a historic brand associated primarily with tires but extending into various other rubber and rubber-related products. The brand’s ownership has fragmented over the years, leading to a diverse range of products under the Dunlop name.
Automobile and Motorcycle Tires:
- Dunlop Tyres is owned in different regions by various companies:
- Goodyear owns the brand in Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and North America.
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries holds rights in Asia (except Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, owned by Continental AG) and North America for motorcycle tires.
- In Africa, Sumitomo acquired rights from Apollo Tyres of India in 2013.
- In India, the brand is owned by the Ruia Group.
- Dunlop Garage Equipment, a subsidiary in England, manufactures vehicle servicing equipment.
Aerospace:
- Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, based in Birmingham, England, was sold to Liberty Hall Capital Partners.
- Dunlop Aerospace, including equipment and precision rubber divisions, is owned by Meggitt plc.
Construction Materials:
- Dunlop Adhesives, tile adhesive and grouting, owned by Ardex GmbH.
- Dunlop Industries in Kenya, producing PVC floor tiles.
- Ardex’s Ardit Floor Leveler, a cement-based leveler for flooring.
Footwear:
- Dunlop Protective Footwear, specializing in waterproof footwear and safety boots, is owned by the Dutch company Hevea.
Furniture:
- Dunlopillo, a mattress and latex foam brand, is owned by various entities globally, including Steinhoff International in the UK and the Pikolin group in other regions.
Industrial Products:
- Dunlop Conveyor Belting, part of Fenner Dunlop Conveyor Belting Worldwide.
- Dunlop Extrusions, rubber extrusions in Manchester, England.
- Dunlop Fabrications, flexible tanks owned by Trelleborg AB of Sweden.
- Dunlop Hiflex, hydraulic hoses and pipes.
- Dunlop Oil & Marine, marine rubber hoses owned by Continental AG.
- Dunlop Rubber Mouldings, part of Dunlop Industrial Products in South Africa.
- Dunlop Systems & Components in Coventry, England, manufactures air suspension components and other automotive systems.
Sports Equipment:
- Dunlop Sport, a brand for golf, tennis equipment, and other sporting goods, is owned by SRI Sports, a subsidiary of Sumitomo.
History and Ownership Changes:
- Founded in 1888 in Scotland, Edinburgh.
- The brand has undergone numerous sales and acquisitions, leading to fragmented ownership.
- Ownership shifts include the sale of Dunlop Rubber to BTR plc, which then divested various Dunlop-branded companies.
- The Dunlop brand has become reunified under Sumitomo Rubber Industries for some products, while other Dunlop-branded products are owned by different companies globally.