Over the more than 110 years since our founding, we have leveraged our proprietary rubber technology as a tire maker to expand our field of business into sports and industrial products, thereby helping to achieve a sustainable society.
*Business profit = Sales revenue – (Cost of sales + Selling, general and administrative expenses)
Helping to achieve a sustainable society by leveraging our proprietary rubber technology
John Boyd Dunlop commercialized the world’s first pneumatic tire
Commenced operation of the Kobe Factory
U.K.-based Dunlop Rubber Company established and began operating Japan’s first modern rubber factory
Started tire manufacturing, producing the first Japanese-made tire
Started production of Japan’s first golf and tennis balls
Developed Japan’s first tubeless tire
In 1963, Sumitomo assumed management of the Company and changed its name to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
Started production of golf clubs
Started mass-production of Japan’s first radial tire “SP3”
Entered into a full business tie-up with The Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., a precursor of the FALKEN brand.
Commenced the operation of the Malaysia Factory
Acquired European tire business from U.K.-based Dunlop Rubber Company
Acquired six plants in the U.K., Germany and France as well as Dunlop Tire Technical Division in the U.K.
Acquired Dunlop Tire Corporation in the U.S.A., becoming the global owner of the Dunlop brand
Formed an alliance in the Tire Business with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the U.S.A. This alliance led to the creation of a joint venture structure under which the manufacture and sale of Dunlop brand tires was assumed by the Company in Japan and Asia and by Goodyear in North America and Europe.
Released first-generation “XXIO” golf clubs and golf balls
Merged with The Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
Spun off the Sports Business
Acquired Cleveland Golf
Celebrated the 100th anniversary
Completed Tire Technical Center
Released “MIRAIE” Vibration Control Units for Detached Housing
Released “ENASAVE 100,” the world’ s first* 100% fossil resource-free tire
* Since the use of synthetic rubber became the industry standard (based on Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ own research)
Acquired fitness company Kitz Wellness Co., Ltd. (current Dunlop Sports Wellness Co., Ltd.), making it a subsidiary
Released “ENASAVE NEXT” tires boasting 50% less rolling resistance and the coveted “AAA-a” ranking—the highest possible—under Japan’s tire labeling system
Acquired the Switzerland-based Lonstroff AG, which manufactures and sells rubber parts for medical applications, to expand the scope of operations
Dissolved the Tire Business-related alliance agreement and joint ventures with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the U.S.A
Completed the New Materials Development Technology “ADVANCED 4D NANO DESIGN”
Acquired trademark rights to the Dunlop brand in countries overseas as well as Dunlop brand sports equipment and licensing businesses from Sports Direct International plc in the U.K.
Acquired Micheldever Group, a major tire sales company in the U.K., stepping up the marketing of FALKEN brand tires
Launched the European and U.S.A. Tire Technical Centers
Announced the “SMART TYRE CONCEPT” for tire technology development
Consolidated the Sumitomo Rubber Group’s Sports Business-related operations
The 130th anniversary of the commercialization of the pneumatic tire
Signed an official sponsorship agreement with the Australian Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments
Celebrated the 110th anniversary of the Group’s founding
Released “ENASAVE NEXT III,” the Company’s flagship fuel-efficient tires made using Performance Sustaining Technology based on the SMART TYRE CONCEPT
Established “Our Philosophy,” a new corporate philosophy structure
Released “VEURO VE304,” premium tires boasting the highest levels of passenger cabin comfort thanks to superior quietness as well as long-lasting wet grip performance
Released “e. SPORT MAXX,” Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ first replacement EV tires, in China, where the automobile market is rapidly shifting toward EVs. This product boasts the highest level of energy efficiency in the Company’s history.
Established “TOWANOWA,” a business model designed to support a circular economy through the Tire Business
Launch of "SynchroWeather," the next-generation all-season tire that synchronizes with any road surface
Long-term management strategy "R.I.S.E 2035" formulated
Acquired the DUNLOP trademark for four-wheel tires in Europe, North America, and Oceania from Goodyear.
