Lubin Ozoux
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) has pledged to inject new life into its Dunlop tyre manufacturing plant in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, as the production facility marks its fiftieth anniversary this year.
The company says it has lined up investments that will see the plant improve local production capacity, expand product lines and create new job opportunities.
The company has not, however, divulged the quantum of the promised investment.
The Dunlop Ladysmith tyre production facility first opened its doors in October, 1973.
“The fiftieth anniversary of our Dunlop Ladysmith manufacturing plants marks an exciting time for us, as we look to build on this impressive history and create a brighter future for the region,” says SRSA CEO Lubin Ozoux.
“We want to increase our impact on creating employment in South Africa over the next few years and months.
“We will, therefore, be investing in machinery and systems that will ensure that we have the capability locally to meet the requirements of original equipment manufacturers, gain efficiencies to better serve the local market, and create a better and safer experience for motorists on the road.”
The new investment drive follows previous expansion phases at the facility.
In 2018 SRSA launched its new 180 000 m², R2.1-billion truck and bus radial line, facilitating the local manufacture of previously imported truck and bus tyres.
Prior to this, SRSA modernised its passenger car, sports-utility vehicle and light truck tyre manufacturing capabilities.
“These investments have enabled us to increase manufacturing output and meet the needs of the region’s tyre markets, particularly in the latter part of our five decades of operation at the plant,” says Ozoux.
SRSA’s parent company is Sumitomo Rubber Industries, in Japan.