News & Media

August 2008

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Appoints Head of Research

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has appointed Dr Wei Ding into a newly-created position as head of research.

Wei is tasked with developing and implementing a research strategy that will help the Birmingham-based manufacturer to further enhance its products and bring next generation aircraft tyres to market.

He reports to Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ technical director Martin Pye and joins the world’s only specialist aircraft tyre manufacturer from Airbus, where he was project manager for tyre research and was team leader for tyre and brake modelling and simulation.

“This newly created position is an important part of our expansion strategy,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, Ian Edmondson.

“We are looking to get closer to the airframe constructors and Wei’s background will mean that we are better placed to develop new products that meet their future needs.”

Wei is a chartered engineer and before joining Airbus he worked as a senior engineer in the automotive tyre industry. Before this Wei was a research fellow at Birmingham University’s Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Materials Processing.

He lives in Birmingham and is married with a daughter. Outside work, he plays badminton, table tennis and practises Tai Chi.

Wei’s appointment is the latest investment at Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. The company is also establishing a new retreading facility in China that will open early next year and has recently launched a number of new products for aircraft including the Boeing 737 Next-Generation.

AAC Capital Partners, formerly the private equity business of ABN Amro, acquired 74.6 per cent ownership of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May 2007.

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August 2008

Farnborough – A Roaring Success

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ exhibition at Farnborough International Airshow 2008 was a great success.. The company, the world’s only specialist aircraft tyre manufacturer, used the first day of the exhibition to unveil some exciting new tyres that are currently under development.

Dunlop’s new tyre development programme, which follows the recent approval of its new tyres for Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, is part of a continuous and ambitious growth plan which will ensure that it remains competitive throughout the commercial and military aerospace sectors.

Commenting on the success of the show, Ian Edmondson, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, said:“Staff and management met with many valued customers and contacts who showed healthy interest in our growing range of aircraft tyres.”

August 2008

Chinese Team Trains In Birmingham For New Tyre Venture

Six tyre production operatives and a supervisor, the first recruits for Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ new retreading operation in China, are set to return to the country following the completion of a training course in Birmingham that has prepared them for the opening of the facility.

Zhang Gong Kai, Xie Lin Jun, Chen Yang Wei, Wang Qian Kun, Lin Xian Ze, Yang Xi Kun and Chen Sheng Feng have spent six months training at the company’s new tyre manufacturing and retreading site in Erdington.

While in England the new recruits have been given full training to ensure that they can successfully replicate the plant’s best practice when the operation in Jinjiang opens early next year.

Dunlop Taikoo (Jinjiang) Aircraft Tyres Company Limited is a joint venture between Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (TAECO).

The facility will support airlines based in the Asia Pacific region by distributing new tyres that have been manufactured in Birmingham and by providing a retread service.

Retreading helps airlines maximise their investment in tyres and is an integral part of the procurement process. By having local capability in China, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will be able to increase its share of the growing Asia Pacific market.

“Work has already started on the construction of the facility and our first recruits have been in Birmingham preparing for next year’s opening,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, Ian Edmondson “I am very pleased with the progress that we are making.

“The investment will help us strengthen our business in the Asian Pacific market, which we estimate as being worth $100 million. We also hope that the ability to retread locally will encourage more airlines there to purchase new tyres that we have made in Birmingham.”

AAC Capital Partners, formerly the private equity business of ABN Amro, acquired 74.6 per cent ownership of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May 2007.

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June 2008

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Exhibit at Farnborough. Meet us between 14 – 20 July 2008

The Farnborough Airshow will open its doors for the 60th time on the 14th July 2008. Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited, a regular exhibitor at the event, will be in attendance in Hall 4 at Stand E14.

The stand will feature exhibits of Dunlop’s range of new and existing civil and military aircraft tyres. Senior management, sales and technical personnel will be in attendance throughout the event and are looking forward to meeting old friends and new faces.

The exhibition, celebrating its diamond jubilee will be biggest ever in terms of ground coverage and exhibitor presence. A particular highlight of the exhibition is always the flying displays. This year, the historic Vulcan, proudly equipped with tyres manufactured by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, will perform a flypast which is sure to be popular with visitors.

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres extends an invitation to all colleagues in the industry to visit the stand between the 14th and 20th July.

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April 2008

SR TECHNICS RETAINS DUNLOP AIRCRAFT TYRES FOR EUROPEAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN BASES

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres today announced it has retained an exclusive deal worth over €2 million with maintenance company SR Technics - with potential to increase the business.

Under the three-year deal secured following a competitive tender from all four aircraft tyre manufacturers, Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will supply its products to SR Technics maintenance bases across Europe and the Middle East.

The tyres will be fitted to Boeing and Fokker 100 aircraft. SR Technics’ bases which specialise in the maintenance of wheels, tyres and brakes will be the first to benefit from the agreement.

“We are delighted to have retained this business,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman Ian Edmondson. “While we are the world’s only specialist aircraft tyre company, we work in a highly competitive environment.

“Retaining this contract with SR Technics is very rewarding because it shows that we are delivering highly reliable products which are strongly supported by a customer focused business.”

SR Technics’ executive vice president, integrated supply chain management, Torsten Tamm added: “It is vital that our suppliers can deliver the product quality and service expected of the airlines that we support.

“During our long-standing relationship with Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, we have been pleased with the company’s commitment to meeting the needs of our business and its continued efforts to drive down cost of ownership.”

AAC Capital Partners, formerly the private equity business of ABN Amro, acquired 74.6 per cent ownership of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May 2007.

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March 2008

AIRCRAFT TYRE SPECIALIST EXPANDS CHOICE FOR BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION OPERATORS

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres today announced it has received Boeing approval for three new tyres for the Boeing 737 Next Generation range of aircraft.

The move provides a welcome expansion of industry capacity to satisfy demand for tyres. With more than 2,400 Boeing 737NGs in service, and a backlog of over 2,000 on order, Boeing recently announced that it is stepping up the production rate of the aircraft.

The new products will enable Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, the world’s only specialist aircraft tyre manufacturer, to expand its share of the medium haul sector of the market.

This will be achieved through the introduction of two new main gear bias ply (cross ply) tyres and a new radial ply nose gear tyre.

“Our improved and expanded range of tyres for Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft will enable us to compete even harder in a market worth an estimated $50 million a year,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, Ian Edmondson.

“Operators now have even greater choice of tyres. This will benefit airlines by introducing further competition for their business while also expanding product availability to support a growing market.

“A growing proportion of this market is located in the Asia Pacific rim. Our joint venture retreading facility with HAECO that is due to start operation in China next year will enable us to capture a significant share of the B737 Next Generation aircraft based in the region.”

AAC Capital Partners, formerly the private equity business of ABN Amro, acquired 74.6 per cent ownership of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May 2007.

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February 2008

DUNLOP AIRCRAFT TYRES SIGNS CONTRACT TO BEGIN WORK ON ASIA PACIFIC TYRE RETREADING FACILITY

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December 2007

FINANCE DIRECTOR TOUCHES DOWN AT DUNLOP AIRCRAFT TYRES

Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, the world’s only dedicated aircraft tyre manufacturer and retreader, has recruited a new finance director who will play a major role in supporting the company’s expansion plans.

Oliver Burns, who started his career at Arthur Andersen, joins from First Technology plc, where he was group finance director. Before that, he held senior finance roles with Bunzl plc and BET plc.

“We were acquired by AAC Capital Partners earlier this year and we are using this opportunity to embark on a major international expansion programme,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, Ian Edmondson.

“For example, the company is expanding into Asia with the investment in a new retreading facility that is expected to open in 2009. Oliver’s considerable experience of working with overseas manufacturing and service facilities will be a great asset.

“We are delighted to have attracted a heavyweight financial director with Oliver’s level of experience. He will be a great asset to the management team.”

Oliver, who heads a team of eight finance and information technology staff at Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, sees a great opportunity ahead of him.

“I was attracted to the company because of the challenge to develop and grow the business within the dynamic and expanding aerospace market,” he said.

AAC Capital Partners, formerly the private equity business of ABN Amro, acquired 74.6 per cent ownership of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in May 2007.

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November 2007

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited continues to support airframers and airlines this autumn

With tyres in service on some of the most modern passenger aircraft in the world, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited continues to offer support to both airframers and airlines to get the maximum performance from their tyres.

Regular attendance at Supplier & Operator conferences enables prompt response to issues raised by airframers and operators alike and supports the closer working relationship.

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited has recently been in attendance at the following conferences:

Bombardier Operator Conference

The bi-annual conference for CRJ operators reconvened in Montreal, Canada in June 2007 and provided the opportunity for Dunlop to promote the success of the recently introduced tyres for the CRJ700/900 family of aircraft.

Already widely recognised as a supplier of high quality tyres for the CRJ100/200 familiy of regional jets, the tyres for the CRJ700/900 family of aircraft are less well known having gained EASA and FAA approval through the STC route.

Well promoted in Europe, the Dunlop tyres for the CRJ700/900 aircraft are already in widespread use where the nose and main tyres have demonstrated very competitive cost of ownership through a combination of excellent retreadability combined with a competitive landing life.

Embraer Operators Conference 2007 (EOC07)

The European/Rest of World Embraer Operator Conference took place in September in Paris, France.

The conference addressed the needs of operators of both E-Jets and ERJ families of aircraft and Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited were in attendance to deal directly with any issues raised.

Sukhoi “Superjet100” Conference

Following the September 2007 roll out of the prototype aircraft, a meeting was held in Florence, Italy for suppliers to provide an update on the development of the aircraft type.

Plans were also outlined for the set up of a new company to oversee the after sales service and support given to operators of the Superjet100 aircraft throughout the world. This new company, Superjet International will be based in the Italian city of Venice.

Utilising experience gained in the manufacture of tyres for service on regional aircraft coupled with a high standard of customer support, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited have been selected by Sukhoi as one of the approved tyre suppliers for operation on this new aircraft type.

November 2007

Dunlop supports return to flight of AVRO Vulcan XH558

Colin Marshall, VOC Logistics Manager:

As you will probably know by now, on Thursday 18th October 2007, XH558 had her first flight since 1993, when she flew into Bruntingthorpe, it has taken a long time, a lot of effort and a lot of money, but without your help and support, be it in the fields of technical, engineering, component supply and other other areas, too many to mention, this would not have been possible.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally, and on behalf of the Project, for all the support you have given us over the years. There are still more test flights to be carried out before we finally get the ‘Permit to fly, these will take place over the next couple of months.

We all now need to look to the future, how we are going to keep XH558 flying on the show circuit, over the next ten to fifteen years. Hopefully, I will be able to rely on the same help and support you have already given the project. I will be contacting you in the near future to discuss this ongoing support.

In the meantime please take a few moments out, appreciate the moment and take credit for your part in the return of XH558 back to the air.

Sincerely,

Colin.

November 2007

Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has begun taxi tests of the C-X military transport and P-X maritime patrol aircraft, which were rolled out in a joint ceremony in July. The four-engined P-X is expected to fly in mid-September is to replace the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's Kawasaki-built P-3C Orions, is powered by four XF7-10 turbofans. The C-X, which is to replace the Japan Air Self-Defence Force's Kawasaki C-1 tactical transports.

October 2007

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres signs MOU with HAECO & TAECO to expand into Asia and Pacific Rim

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (TAECO) to establish a tyre retreading facility in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China. It is intended that a joint venture will be formed with Dunlop Aircraft Tyres as the majority partner and the new facility to be operational in early 2009.

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres currently has an integrated new tyre manufacturing and retreading facility in Birmingham, UK. Penetration of the Asian market has been restricted to date as retreading from Europe is uneconomic for airlines located in the Asia Pacific rim region.

“Commercial aviation is expanding rapidly across Asia, and aircraft manufacturers have recently increased their forecast of jet airliner deliveries because of the pace of growth across the region,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ chairman, Ian Edmondson.

“The investment in this new facility will enable us to fully capitalise on our strong brand recognition and acceptance in the region by supporting airlines with a complete new tyre and retread service.

“We are also excited about the opportunity of working with HAECO, one of the world’s leading aircraft engineering companies. The company has a strong reputation and we are delighted to be partnering with them on this initiative.”

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August 2007

Company Announcement

You will see from the attached personal announcement that Stuart Smith will retire from his post as Managing Director of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited on Friday 31st August this year.

Stuart had indicated his desire to retire to spend more time with his family when the transition to the new company owners was completed; we feel that this will have been accomplished by the end of August.

Stuart has worked for Dunlop Aircraft Tyres for the past 9½ years, the last 4½ of which were in his current position.

In the time I have known him I have been much impressed with his grasp of the business, his wide experience in the Industry, his ability, dedication and energy, all of which have significantly contributed to making the company as successful as it is today, and for which I thank him.

On behalf of all of us and the Directors of the company, I wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.

From the end of the month I shall take on the role of Chairman and Managing Director.

I look forward, with the support of our customers, our employees and ABN Amro Capital, to build on the successes that Stuart’s leadership have brought and continue to develop our company, providing more outstanding products to an ever expanding market base around all major continents of the world.

Ian Edmondson

Chairman
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited

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August 2007

Stuart Smith, DATL Managing Director retires

Dear Friends, Colleagues and business associates,

After 46 years in the aerospace business working under the Dunlop banner in the sector of wheels, tyres, brakes, brake control and anti-skid systems I am retiring from the position of Managing Director DATL effective 31st August.

I have had a wonderfully interesting career encompassing many changes in the industry over the years and had the privilege to meet and work with talented and interesting people, many of whom I am lucky to count as good friends.

It is with some sadness that I leave my current position but look forward to a future with more free time to enjoy some relaxation with my family.

I leave DATL in the capable hands of Ian Edmondson, Chairman, DATL and its new owners ABN AMRO Capital and wish all at DATL a happy and prosperous future.

I would also like to thank everyone for the good times and happy memories and wish each and every one of you every success for the future.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Smith
Managing Director Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd

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June 2007

ABN AMRO Capital acquires Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited

ABN AMRO Capital, the private equity business of ABN AMRO, has agreed to acquire Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited (“Dunlop”). ABN AMRO Capital will take a majority stake in the business with 74.6% ownership. The transaction is expected to complete in June subject to customary approvals. The Royal Bank of Scotland will provide senior debt facilities.

Dunlop specialises in the design, manufacture and testing of tyres, mainly for commercial aircraft. In its 90-year history the company has achieved worldwide recognition, focusing on the aviation industry with a comprehensive product range. Dunlop has over 500 approvals covering more than 276 different aircraft. These range from historic aircraft through to the latest generation of modern passenger carrying jet aircraft. Dunlop’s international customer base includes major international airlines, aircraft constructors, wheel and brake manufacturers and maintenance facilities. Based in Birmingham, the 270-strong skilled workforce produces over 100,000 tyres each year.

The world market for aircraft tyres in the segments addressed by Dunlop is currently estimated to be US$ 500 mln with the main drivers of growth in the market being air traffic, which has grown at an average rate of 6% pa since the 1970’s. This is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with the Asian market growing more quickly in the next few years. Dunlop has a strong niche position as the only one of four global players to specialise solely in aircraft tyres. Regulation in the sector also creates very high barriers to entry, with Dunlop holding a strong, embedded position.

Patrick Bulmer, Dominic Collier and Grant Paul-Florence coordinated the investment on behalf of ABN AMRO Capital. Patrick and Dominic will join the board of Dunlop as non-executive directors. Ian Edmondson, formerly Vice President of Federal Mogul, will also join Dunlop as Chairman at completion.

Paul Southwell, Managing Partner of ABN AMRO Capital’s UK buyout team, said: “Dunlop is one of only four global manufacturers of aircraft tyres, with significant potential for growth internationally. We have considerable experience and knowledge of the aerospace industry and are attracted by its long-term growth characteristics and embedded technology. Dunlop occupies an important niche within aerospace, with a highly defensible position and an internationally recognised brand. We are keen to guide the business through the next stage in its development and look forward to working with management to realise that ambition.”

Stuart Smith, Group CEO of Dunlop, said: “Dunlop is a long-established company with a long heritage in designing and manufacturing the highest quality aircraft tyres. We are excited to be embarking on a new phase in the company’s history and are very pleased to have secured the support of a major financial institution. ABN AMRO Capital’s backing is a significant vote of confidence for everyone involved in taking the business forward and recognition for those who have contributed to our success so far.”

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