Dunlop Aircraft Tyres reports business recovery, Chinese acquisition

London – Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. (DATL) returned to profitability in 2023, three years after the Covid pandemic brought the aviation industry to a halt.

The UK tire maker posted profit before tax of £804,000 (€955,000) for the full-year, up from a loss before tax of nearly £3 million reported in 2022.

Overall operating profit at the Birmingham, UK-based manufacturer & supplier stood at £3.3 in 2023, up from an operating loss of £2.1 million.

Sales of the financial year came in 9.2% higher year-on-year to £54 million, DATL further reported in a recent Companies House filing.

DATL linked its business recovery to the aviation industry “getting back to its pre-pandemic working environment” following the lengthy lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, DATL noted that material prices, transportation costs, energy prices, inflation, labour availability and interest rates are “still variable.”

According to the company, business uncertainties remained particularly due to the ongoing Middle East unrest and the Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In its UK filing information, DATL also reported that it had 'fully acquired' a retread processing and new-tire distribution facility owned by Dunlop Taikoo (Jinjiang) Aircraft Tyres Co. Ltd.

According to the company, its purchase of the remaining 37% of the business in 2023, was an important strategic investment providing “a gateway to the growing Asia Pacific region.”

The deal, added DATL, would build on its investment in geographical expansions over recent years to ‘better position’ the company to secure global supply contracts.