Durban, South Africa – Dunlop South Africa, part of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd (SRSA), has opened a new warehouse and distribution centre in Durban, the company announced on 3 June.
At full capacity, the 12,500 square metre property in Cato Manor, Durban, can house more than 200,000 tries, including Dunlop, Falken and Sumitomo brands.
The move from the previous location in Umbilo was prompted by the increasing demand in the rest of Africa, as well as growth projections for the supply of tires to manufacturers within the automotive sector, according to SRSA CEO Riaz Haffejee.
The new property will house a 650-square-metre technical examination centre for on-site consumer quality testing in addition to the 7200- square-metre bonded warehouse facility.
The new site is leased to Dunlop by the Newlyn Group, represented by CEO Raj Balmakhun – successful Durban-based commercial property developers and landlords.
SRSA announced earlier this year that it had started the second phase of its €122-million investment to upgrade and expand its tire manufacturing plant at Ladysmith, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
The expansion plan involves the introduction and manufacturing of truck and bus tires for commercial use.
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