Dunlop Tyres completes South Africa expansion

Ladysmith, South Africa – Dunlop Tyres South Africa, part of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, has completed an expansion project at its tire manufacturing facility in Ladysmith, the company has announced.

The R1.7-billion (€90 million) investment in passenger car and light truck tire capability in focused on "ensuring Dunlop remains ready for the future,” said DTSA 14 Aug – without providing further details.

“This plant sits at the centre of South Africa’s automotive value-chain, supplying original equipment partners,” said minister of the department of trade, industry and competition Parks Tau during the opening.

The investment in local manufacturing, added the South African minister, is sustained by “a fair and level playing field, and government understands that building that playing field is our collective responsibility.”

DTSA launched the expansion and modernisation project in 2023 following a ZAR2.1-billion project to increase truck and bus tire production at the facility in 2018.

Operational since October 2013, the Ladysmith plant manufactures passenger car, light truck and TBR tires with a nameplate capacity of 1,700 tonnes a month.

Tires manufactured at the site go to market under the brands of Dunlop, Sumitomo and Falken.