Ex-Yokohama aircraft tyre equipment arrives at Dunlop

Manufacturing and testing equipment bought to enable Dunlop Aircraft Tyres to strengthen its position in the global aircraft tyre marketplace has arrived and is being installed at the company's manufacturing plant in Birmingham, UK.

Dunlop acquired the equipment from The Yokohama Rubber Company after the firm, which has a strong reputation in Japan for manufacturing and retreading aircraft tyres, withdrew its brand from this sector of the market.

The testing equipment, which includes a dynamometer machine, is expanding Dunlop's in-house capability and capacity so that the company can further accelerate its new product development and bring tyres to market more quickly.

Alongside this, the additional manufacturing capacity will support Dunlop Aircraft Tyres by enabling the company to accelerate its activity in the radial tyre marketplace.

"By acquiring this equipment we will enhance our global manufacturing capability and put Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in a strong position to expand its product range," said the company's chairman, Ian Edmondson.

"Yokohama has an excellent reputation in Japan with products developed to meet a harsh operating environment and these include tyres for Boeing 777s that are heavily utilised on domestic services."

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, which last year celebrated100 years of world class aircraft tyre manufacturing, recently opened a new tyre distribution and retreading facility in China.