Goodyear Completes Sale of Dunlop Brand

Rhea-AI Summary

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has finalized the sale of its Dunlop brand rights to Sumitomo Rubber Industries (TYO: 5110) for consumer, commercial, and specialty tires in Europe, North America, and Oceania. The transaction, completed on May 7, 2025, generated total gross proceeds of $735 million, broken down as $526 million for the brand, $105 million for transition support, and $104 million for inventory.

The sale aligns with the Goodyear Forward transformation plan, aimed at optimizing the company's portfolio and reducing leverage. CEO Mark Stewart emphasized that this strategic move will help sharpen focus on Goodyear's core brands while continuing their operational transformation and targeted segment growth.

Positive

• Substantial cash injection of $735 million to reduce company leverage
• Strategic portfolio optimization focusing on core brands
• Additional revenue of $105 million from transition support fee

Negative

• Loss of revenue stream and market presence from Dunlop brand operations
• Reduction in brand portfolio diversity and market reach

AKRON, Ohio, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) ("Goodyear" or the "Company") has completed the previously announced sale of the Company's rights to the Dunlop brand in Europe, North America and Oceania for consumer, commercial and other specialty tires, together with certain associated intellectual property and inventory, to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd (TYO: 5110) ("SRI"), effective May 7, 2025.

"The sale of the Dunlop brand is another action that advances Goodyear Forward by optimizing our portfolio, reducing leverage and sharpening our focus on our core portfolio of brands," said Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. "Goodyear is making significant progress, transforming our operations and growing in our targeted segments, and I am confident in our ability to continue delivering on our objectives."

Gross cash proceeds at closing totaled $735 million, comprised of $526 million for the Dunlop brand, $105 million for a transition support fee and $104 million for inventory. Goodyear intends to use the transaction proceeds to reduce leverage in connection with the Goodyear Forward transformation plan.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as the lead financial advisor; Barclays Capital Inc. acted as financial advisor; and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP acted as legal advisor to Goodyear.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 68,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 20 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.

Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the transaction, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the assumptions, expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to implement successfully the Goodyear Forward plan and our other strategic initiatives; risks relating to our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits from the transaction; actions and initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors; increases in the prices paid for raw materials and energy; inflationary cost pressures; delays or disruptions in our supply chain or the provision of services to us; a prolonged economic downturn or period of economic uncertainty; deteriorating economic conditions or an inability to access capital markets; a labor strike, work stoppage, labor shortage or other similar event; financial difficulties, work stoppages, labor shortages or supply disruptions at our suppliers or customers; the adequacy of our capital expenditures; changes in tariffs, trade agreements or trade restrictions; foreign currency translation and transaction risks; our failure to comply with a material covenant in our debt obligations; potential adverse consequences of litigation involving the Company; as well as the effects of more general factors such as changes in general market, economic or political conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
DOUG GRASSIAN
330.796.3855
DOUG_GRASSIAN@GOODYEAR.COM  

ANALYST CONTACT:  
GREG SHANK
330.796.5008
GREG_SHANK@GOODYEAR.COM

 

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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

FAQ

How much did Goodyear (GT) sell the Dunlop brand for?

Goodyear sold the Dunlop brand for total gross proceeds of $735 million, including $526 million for the brand rights, $105 million for transition support, and $104 million for inventory.

Why did Goodyear sell the Dunlop brand in 2025?

Goodyear sold the Dunlop brand as part of their Goodyear Forward transformation plan to optimize their portfolio, reduce leverage, and sharpen focus on their core brands.

Which regions are included in Goodyear's Dunlop brand sale to Sumitomo?

The sale includes Dunlop brand rights in Europe, North America, and Oceania for consumer, commercial, and specialty tires.

Who bought Goodyear's Dunlop brand?

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd (TYO: 5110) purchased the Dunlop brand rights from Goodyear.