Dunlop Rubber

This article is about the original Dunlop company. For the company which currently makes Dunlop tyres, see Dunlop Tyres. For other companies which use the Dunlop brand, see Dunlop (brands).

Dunlop Ltd.[1]
Formerly
List
    • Pneumatic Tyre and Booth's Cycle Agency Co. Ltd (1889–95)
    • Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre (1895–1901)
    • Dunlop Rubber Co. (1901–67)
    • Dunlop Ltd. (1967–85)
IndustryAutomotive, sports equipment
Founded18 November 1889; 135 years ago (1889-11-18)
FoundersHarvey du Cros and John Boyd Dunlop[2]
Defunct1985; 39 years ago (1985)
FateAcquired by BTR plc in 1985, becoming a brand, then operated by different companies worldwide after BTR folded
SuccessorBTR plc
Headquarters
Fort Dunlop, Erdington, Birmingham
,
England
Key people
Eric Geddes (Director, 1922–24)
Products
List
BrandsDunlopillo[3]
Aquafort[4]
Number of employees
102,000 (1970) [5]
ParentGoodyear and Sumitomo
DivisionsDunlop Tyres
Dunlop Sport
SubsidiariesSlazenger (1959–85)
George Angus Ltd. (1968–85)

Dunlop Ltd. (formerly Dunlop Rubber)[1] was a British multinational company involved in the manufacture of various natural rubber goods. Its business was founded in 1889 by Harvey du Cros and he involved John Boyd Dunlop who had re-invented and developed the first pneumatic tyre. It was one of the first multinationals, and under du Cros and, after him, under Eric Geddes, grew to be one of the largest British industrial companies. J. B. Dunlop had dropped any ties to it well before his name was used for any part of the business. The business and manufactory was founded in Upper Stephen Street, Dublin. A plaque marks the site, which is now part of the head office of the Irish multinational departments store brand, Dunnes Stores.

Dunlop Rubber failed to adapt to evolving market conditions in the 1970s, despite having recognised by the mid-1960s the potential drop in demand as the more durable radial tyres swept through the market. After taking on excessive debt Dunlop was acquired by the industrial conglomerate BTR in 1985. Since then, ownership of the various Dunlop trademarks has become fragmented.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference autogenerated5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ About us (history) on Dunlop Europe, 15 Aug 2020
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference aquafort was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).