Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd (SRSA) is a leading local tyre manufacturer and distributor of the Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo tyre ranges in SA and into the African continent. SRSA is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (SRI), which is headquartered in Kobe, Japan.

Proudly rooted in KwaZulu-Natal with its Head Office in Durban and a manufacturing facility in Ladysmith, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, the company has regional branches in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, East London, Gqeberha and Cape Town, with 1535 staff nationally.

SRSA’s strong local market presence is largely attributed to the Dunlop brand and heritage as the first tyre manufacturer in South Africa. Supported by 89 years of local manufacturing excellence and a loyal customer base, SRSA is committed to producing safety-tested local tyres for local conditions, offering end users peace of mind when purchasing these critical components of a vehicle.

At present, one-in-five vehicles on South African roads are fitted with locally produced Dunlop tyres, and buoyed by the confidence in the brand, the tyre manufacturer has forged ahead with a multi-billion-rand investment project backed by its international parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). This investment is set to boost local tyre production capacity as more Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) look to domestic tyre producers to meet their vehicle specifications. Dunlop holds approximately 20% of the local OE market and has agreements in place with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Hino, Tata, Scania, and UD Trucks.

SRSA continues to grow nationally and across the continent, with a strong market share in Africa with a branded presence in 23 African countries, supplying passenger car, LTR, TBR and SUV tyre markets to Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya and neighbouring countries Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Dunlop dealer network
SRSA offers innovative sales channels and development opportunities for entrepreneurs in the automotive retail market, from application to installation process. They support Dunlop branded retail outlets to take their businesses to the next level, from entry-level enterprises serving the man-in-the-street, to fully fledged businesses that can support the taxi industry and government departments. Presently, there are approximately 300 Dunlop stores in SA and 120 in Africa.

Dunlop Business-in-a-Box
Driven by the desire to empower young entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities in local communities, the company launched the Dunlop Business in a Box concept as an extension of their Dunlop Container store project.

The programme offers a plug-and-play solution through which shortlisted candidates are linked up with recommended funders to apply for total funding to set up their own Dunlop Fitment Centres, and to become part of a growing network of over 80 Dunlop Container outlets employing around 400 people across the country.

In addition, the company has opened the Dunlop Westville Retail centre, which serves as a hub for technical and training expertise for the broader tyre retail industry.

Taking Mzansi confidence on the road
Understanding the hazards that South Africans face when out on the roads, and the frustration that comes when you have unexpected costs, SRSA created a unique, first of its kind tyre insurance. They innovated the tyre industry by being the only tyre manufacturer to offer tyre replacement – without any costs - for tread already used if your tyre cannot be repaired. Dunlop Sure’s Tyre Insurance is offered FREE for 12 months and covers all road hazards and is available at any Dunlop-branded dealership (Zone, Commercial, Express, and Container) in South Africa.

A business philosophy that is committed to” through innovation, we will create a future of joy and well-being for all.”

The philosophy of Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) - passed down over 400 years – is to be a reliable and trusted global corporate group that enriches people’s lives through the creation of new value, while pursuing greater happiness for employees, communities and society at large.

Skills development of their employees remains a priority for its company’s development and transformation agenda. SRSA operates an on-site training facility in Ladysmith where employees receive training sessions all year round.

As a one of the largest employers of the Ladysmith community and surrounds, SRSA is compelled by their duty to ensure they play a role in developing the community beyond job creation and boosting the local community. For fifty years, they’ve supported the community through CSI initiatives and skills development programmes and play an active role in developing a thriving self-sustaining community of Ladysmith by engaging with the local business chamber and community forums.

Sustainability
SRI have set ‘GENKI’ Sustainability Activity Guidelines to achieve carbon net zero by 2050. The ‘GENKI’ Sustain ability Activity Guidelines consist of Governance, Eco logy, Next-Generation Products & Solutions, Kindness, and Integrity for society.

SRSA has, at its various premises, implemented energy efficient lighting, sustainable sourcing, recycling, water conservation, waste management, and various initiatives supporting its drive towards net zero.