revtothelimit - motorbike forum

To Sumitomo.

https://www.visordown.com/news/goodyear ... 01-million

Who the hell is Sumitomo?

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:16 pm To Sumitomo.

https://www.visordown.com/news/goodyear ... 01-million

Who the hell is Sumitomo?

Thought he was one of those fat wrestlers.

I thought they made brake calipers for 90's Yamaha's.

Weren't the Yamaha blue and gold spot calipers made by Sumitumo? Very well regarded at the time. So my question is - why is Goodyear (a tyre company) seling off Dunlop (a tyre company) to concentrate on its core business (being a tyre company)?

Hadn't heard of them either,but google tells me they have lots of fingers in lots of pies.

The company makes a wide range of rubber based products, including automobile tires, golf balls and tennis balls. Sumitomo tire brands include Dunlop (in certain regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America), Falken and Ohtsu.

Sumitomo is a large Japanese company with operations in various industries. The company already owns the rights to Dunlop in some parts of the world, and this acquisition will significantly expand its reach. As for Goodyear, it appears they are focusing on their core tire business and leaving the rest to other companies such as Dunlop.

silver991 wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:42 pm Sumitomo is a large Japanese company with operations in various industries. The company already owns the rights to Dunlop in some parts of the world, and this acquisition will significantly expand its reach. As for Goodyear, it appears they are focusing on their core tire business and leaving the rest to other companies such as Dunlop.

If tyres are Goodyear's core business, why are they selling a company that also has tyre manufacturing as its core business? Technologies developed in one side of the business can assist the other side.

Goodyear stands to lose more than they gain by this. Dunlop is now a full-on competitor in the same space, whereas previously they had been an ally.

Never question these sort of strategic decisions. If it works the Chairman or CEO will write a book explaining his strategy and how brilliant he is. If it doesn't he is toast and you can laugh.

Seriously, some of these sort of decisons seem mad. Like BT selling a cellular company in the UK, then buying into foreign cell companies, then selling them again ( at pretty much the same price), and then starting another UK cellular offering.

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:16 pm Who the hell is Sumitomo?

I've worked with Sumitomo multiple times, in several different jobs. I've dealt with them on various Polymers and carbon fibres.

They're one of those massive companies who do loads of stuff, in loads of products you probably use, but you'd never hear of unless you're in "the biz".

It's "sooo-meee-toe-moe" in case you're wondering

Never try and understand these decisions from the singular viewpoint of "punter who buys motorcycle tyres in the UK" though. There are tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres and tyres and there are tyre markets, tyre markets, tyre markets, tyre markets, tyre markets, and tyre markets

Visordown wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 7:32 pm The deal will no have to go through regulatory checks, although it is thought that it should be rubber-stamped later this year.

Audible chuckle.