Pictured above: Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' chairman, Ian
Edmondson
As part of its centenary celebrations, Birmingham-based Dunlop
Aircraft Tyres has commissioned the publication of a new book and
commemorative film which tell the story of the company past and
present and which outline its future direction.
Both will be launched at a gala event being held at the Wapping
Project, one of London's most intriguing venues, to coincide with
the opening of the Farnborough International Air Show on July
19.
The evening event will bring together many of the company's
customers, suppliers and senior figures from the aviation
sector.
While the world's only specialist manufacturer is celebrating
its proud history, it is also looking to the future with a major
expansion drive.
It has just opened its first retreading and distribution
facility in China to cater specifically for the needs of aircraft
operators in Asia Pacific, it has invested in new testing and
manufacturing equipment and it is winning orders from major
operators and airframe manufacturers.
One of these deals included the company pushing the boundaries
by developing tyre technology that improves foreign object damage
resistance for the new Airbus A400M military transport
aircraft.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is also taking steps to make its processes
and products kinder on the environment.
Its tyres, manufactured predominately from natural rubber, can
typically be retreaded several times and new radial tyres which are
lighter in weight than bias tyres, in turn reduce aircraft
operator's fuel burn.
"While we are looking back and celebrating our 100-year history,
we are also using this opportunity to strengthen our position for
the future," said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres' chairman, Ian
Edmondson.
"We have invested in new facilities that will enable us to
increase our market share in Asia Pacific and we have an aggressive
new product development programme supported by an expanded research
and development team that is working on the tyres of tomorrow.
"I believe that the new generation of tyres will be Greener and
offer benefits for operators in terms of performance and reduced
cost of ownership."