100 Years Old and Going Strong: Sumitomo Rubber Industries looks forward to its next century

摘要

In 1909 Japan was still almost a decade away from building its first series production car, the Mitsubishi Model A, yet the bicycle had taken off as an affordable means of transport. The number of bikes on Japans roads had leapt from 57,400 in 1903 to 192,000 six years later. Observing this growth pattern and noting the potential the Japanese market held, Dunlop UK invested capital into a new firm located in the city of Kobe. Thus in October 1909 Dunlop Rubber Co. (Far East) Ltd. was born.