Dunlop in talks for aero-tyre manufacturing

Kolkata: Even as it opened its Shahaganj plant today, Dunlop India is in the midst of negotiations with UK’s Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd, to restart manufacturing of aero-tyres.
‘‘We were approached by Dunlop Aircraft as they are keen to make inroads into the subcontinent,’’ Pawan Ruia, chairman of Ruia Group, told The Indian Express.
Ruia has also started dialogue with the Sumitomo Corporation of Japan, which holds Dunlop brand worldwide.
Dunlop India, which was the sole aviation tyre manufacturer in the country, stopped production in 2001. Today, other players in the industry such as MRF are talking of courting the segment. But Ruia is confident of signing the deal with Dunlop Aircraft soon. ‘‘This should pave the way for starting aero-tyre production in a few months’ time,’’ he says.
Any plans to export aero-tyres will require tying up with Sumitomo which owns the international brand, Ruia informs.
22/04/06 Sanchita Das/Financial Express