Dunlop closing US plant

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/dunlop-racing-tire-factory-in-new-york-is-closing/

Well this sucks. Will be interesting to see how it affects their sales on the HD side as I'm sure that the US made label means a lot to those riders. They say they have stockpiled supply but still wonder how availability on all the former US made product will be this year.

 

Makes me wonder how much unions had an effect on this?

 

Wonder if this means a new tire brand for MotoA in 2025?

 

Per the article, they have manufactured enough tires for MA and clubs for 2025.

 

Hmmm...I can't see how this can be turned around...maybe they ride off into the sunset but I'm thinking someone steps in to rescue this facility. 1500 folks out of work is a big economic blow.

 

Local officials said it came with zero notice and Sumitomo never hinted they needed assistance. Union rep said they got no notice either. Sumitomo Japan tried to sell the place before and nobody wanted it.

Looks like the facility is outdated and needs more $ to make it competitive than they or anyone else is willing to spend.

Sucks for the workers right before the holidays. Merry fkn Christmas.

 

I wonder if Sumimoto tried to contact Goodyear (parent company of Dunlop EU)

 

It is a strange building. It was set up so if it got bombed, during one of those big wars, you closed off that section with massive doors, and you could keep working. On the racing side, they started planning for this in case it the higher ups decided to close that plant. The US will still be designing, testing, developing product here. It'll be made in Japan. They will also be able to get other product from around the world.

 

I have an acquaintance that insists that this closure is solely due to an expected tariff on the plant's rubber feedstocks.

Can anyone in the actual know refute or confirm that notion?

 

I have a meeting today with them so I’ll update with any new info.

 

Interesting and definitely heartbreaking for those workers and their families. I've had to make similar announcements and decisions in the past and nothing you can do makes you or them feel any better. It appears they filed the warn notice in the 11th hour, which will be reviewed and earn them a hefty fine. Definitely not a good look for Dunlop at all.

 

I work in the automotive industry and tariffs on raw materials can be brutal, but usually finished goods are worse depending on the point of manufacture of course. USMCA (replaced NAFTA) had had a major impact on US based manufacturing creating many challenges, but I doubt that rumors of an expected tariff based on election results (assumed) would force an immediate shutdown. There is likely far more involved than labor or tariffs.

USMCA was formally created in 2019 and went into effect in 2020

 

So the tires used at the later races next year will be 'well aged.'

 

https://www.roadracingworld.com/new...years-of-tire-production-in-buffalo-new-york/

Keeping a 101 year old factory going is pretty tough

 

Back to UK Dunlop slicks in 2026?

 

That is an option

 

It appears they have invested a significant amount but yes, I 100 year old facility brings significant challenges.

 

HD sales are not going well and probably have a large effect on the decision.

In Q3 of 2024, HD shipped 27,500 motorcycles, which means it's down 39 percent as compared to the 45,300 it shipped in q3 of last year. HD worldwide m/c sales are down are down 13 percent in Q3 of 2024, as well. What about the electric LiveWire sales you ask? They sold 99 units in Q3 of 2024, as compared to 50 in Q3 2023, so these bikes are not going to save them.

In regards to HD riders wanting US made tires, I don't think it matters as much as it did to them 20 years ago. And remember Michelin is OE on quite a few models and has been since the famous factory strike from about 15 years ago. Sad to say but for those of us that make our living in the powersports industry things are changing very quickly and this is just another example.

 

Are they going to start making NTecs in England again?
The Fort factory in Birmingham produced specialized vintage, motorcycle and motorsport tires, until it closed in September 2014 after nearly 100 years, with production moving to Germany and France.

 

I wonder if Moto America can break its contract?