Goodyear, Sumitomo Join Forces

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Japan’s Sumitomo Rubber Industries announced a global alliance.

The two companies will establish joint ventures in North America, Europe and Japan and form two support groups — one for global purchasing and one for sharing tire technology.

The North American joint venture will include Sumitomo’s car and truck tire operations in North America with annual sales of $800 million. The company markets Sumitomo and Dunlop brand tires in the U.S. and operates plants in Huntsville, Ala., and in upstate New York. Sumitomo makes truck tires in Japan for sale in the U.S., mostly on the West Coast. Dunlop tires are sold throughout the country.

A Goodyear spokeswoman said the company will continue to market Dunlop tires. “We think it complements our own tire line,” she said.

The European operation will include tire businesses owned by both companies in Western Europe. In Japan, one venture will supply both brands of tires to original equipment manufacturers and a second will market Goodyear tires to the replacement market.

For the full story, see the Feb. 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.