- Business
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., founded in 1909 and headquartered in Kobe, Japan, is a global manufacturer of tires and rubber products operating across multiple regions including Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. The company's core product portfolio encompasses a wide range of tires for passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles under prominent brands such as Dunlop, Falken, and Ohtsu; it also produces sports equipment including golf clubs, tennis balls, and tennis racquets under the Dunlop Sport brand. Additionally, SRI manufactures industrial products such as rubber gloves, medical rubber parts, vibration control dampers, artificial turfs, and other specialty rubber goods. Recently, SRI completed a significant acquisition of the Dunlop trademark and related rights for four-wheel tires in Europe, North America, and Oceania from Goodyear for approximately USD 701 million, including transition support fees and inventory purchases, enabling full operational control and brand integration in these markets. Furthermore, SRI expanded its technological capabilities and product offerings by acquiring Viaduct, a U.S.-based AI solutions company, to accelerate the development and global rollout of AI-based fleet vehicle failure prediction services, underpinning its strategic focus on next-generation mobility and software-driven solutions. The company continues to optimize its global production footprint, including renaming overseas subsidiaries under the Dunlop brand to unify global operations and recently divesting certain fixed assets while maintaining its strategic growth trajectory in tires, sports, industrial products, and autonomous vehicle-related technologies.
This comprehensive approach positions Sumitomo Rubber Industries as a leading diversified manufacturer with an emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and expansion into advanced digital services within the automotive and mobility sectors.