1909 | Dunlop U.K. established Japan’s first modern rubber factory. Began production of bicycle tires and tubes and solid rickshaw tires. |
![]() The first Japanese-made automobile tire |
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1911 | Started production of rubber tubing, gloves and water pillows. | |
1913 | Started production of automobile tires. Produced Japan’s first automobile tire. |
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1917 | Incorporated as a Japanese corporation with \1.18 million capital. | |
1930 | Started production of golf and tennis balls. | ![]() DUNLOP 65 (Released in 1935) |
1935 | Started production of motorcycle tires. | |
1944 | Izumiotsu Factory commenced operations. | |
1951 | Started production of blankets for offset printing presses. | |
1954 | Developed Japan’s first tubeless tire. | |
1960 | The Sumitomo Group took a stake in the company. | |
1961 | Nagoya Factory commenced operations. Started production of DUNLOP FORT tennis balls. |
![]() DUNLOP FORT |
1963 | Sumitomo assumed management of company. Changed name to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. |
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1964 | Started production of golf clubs. | |
1966 | Started production of the SP3, Japan’s first radial tire. | ![]() SP3 |
1967 | Started production of marine fenders. | |
1972 | Kakogawa Factory commenced operations. | |
1974 | Shirakawa Factory commenced operations. | |
1976 | Miyazaki Factory commenced operations. Developed Japan’s first Formula-1 racing tire. | |
1981 | Malaysia Factory commenced operations. | |
1984 | Acquired six tire plants in the UK, Germany and France as well as Dunlop Tyre Technical Division in UK. |
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1986 | Acquired Dunlop Tire Corporation in the U.S. Okayama Driving Test Course completed. | |
1994 | New head office building completed. | ![]() Head Office building |
1995 | Kobe Factory closed due to the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake. | |
1996 | Ichijima golf ball Factory commenced operations. | |
1997 | Indonesia Factory commenced operations. | |
1999 | Formed alliance in the tire business with The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company of the U.S. | |
2001 | Zhongshan Factory (China) commenced operations. | |
2003 | Merged with The Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. Established SRI Sports Limited* and SRI Hybrid Limited. |
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2004 | Changshu Factory (China) commenced operations. | |
2006 | Released ENASAVE ES801, 70% fossil resource-free tires. Thailand Factory commenced operations. SRI Sports Limited listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. |
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2007 | Vietnam Factory commenced operations. | |
2008 | Released ENASAVE 97, 97% fossil resource-free tires. | |
2009 | Celebrated the Company’s 100th anniversary. Shirakawa Training Center completed. Tyre Technical Center completed. |
![]() ![]() Tyre Technical Center |
2010 | Integrated Dunlop Falken Tyres Ltd. and SRI Hybrid Limited. Established a natural rubber processing plant in the northern part of Thailand. |
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2011 | Announced the prototype of a 100% fossil resource-free tire. | |
2012 | Launched MIRAIE, a seismic damper for wooden houses. The Group’s second tire factory in China commenced operations. Announced the long-term vision "VISION 2020" Established a tire sales joint venture in India |
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2013 | Established a joint venture for the production and sale of tires in Turkey Brazil Factory commenced operations. Released ENASAVE 100, 100% fossil resource-free tires. Secured a tire production base in South Africa through the acquisition of Apollo Tyres South Africa. |
![]() ENASAVE 100 |
2014 | Thailand Agricultural Equipment Tire Factory commenced operations. Released ENASAVE NEXT, 50% less Rolling Resistance tires, achieved the "AAA-a"rank under Japan's tire labeling system. Established Tire sales corporation in Australia. |
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2015 | Acquired Lonstroff Holding AG a Swiss medical rubber parts manufacturer. Dissolved the alliance agreement and joint ventures with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Turkey Factory began operation. |
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2017 | Acquired the DUNLOP Brand Overseas Business Acquired Micheldever Group Ltd. a leading tire distributor in the UK. USA Technical Ce nter and Europe Technical Center bagan operation. |
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2018 | Integrated Sumitomo Rubber Group's sports business. |
*Renamed Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd. in May 2012.
Sports Division Overview here >>