Miles Bennett
Dunlop Sport is a British sports equipment manufacturing company that was established in 1910. The company entered the sports goods market in 1910 when it began manufacturing rubber golf balls in Birmingham. In 1957, Dunlop acquired the golf club manufacturer John Letters of Scotland. In 1959, the company acquired the Slazenger Group, and in 1960, it introduced the Dunlop flying D logo. Over the years, Dunlop has also manufactured golf equipment under various brands, including XXIO, SRIXON, and Cleveland Golf. The company has played an integral role in bringing golf to people worldwide and continues to enhance its global presence in the golf industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Establishment | 1889 |
| Sporting Goods Entry | 1910 |
| Golf Ball Production | 1922 |
| Acquired Golf Club Manufacturer | 1957 |
| Acquired Slazenger Group | 1959 |
| Sold John Letters Golf Club Business | 1983 |
| Merged Sports Businesses | 1984 |
| Acquired by Sumitomo Rubber Industries | 2017 |
| Brands | XXIO, SRIXON, Cleveland Golf |
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What You'll Learn
Dunlop's history in golf
Dunlop Sport is a British sports equipment manufacturing company established in 1910. The company was founded in 1889, manufacturing goods from rubber, and entered the sports market in 1910, beginning with the manufacture of rubber golf balls in Birmingham. The Dunlop Masters golf tournament was established in 1946 and was sponsored by Dunlop until 1982. It is now known as the British Masters.
In 1957, Dunlop acquired the golf club manufacturer John Letters of Scotland. In 1959, the Slazenger Group was acquired, and in 1960, the Dunlop "flying D" logo was introduced. In 1983, the John Letters golf club business was sold back to members of the Letters family, and in 1984, the sports businesses were merged to form Dunlop Slazenger.
Dunlop has also manufactured other golf equipment, such as the Maxfli golf ball, which was introduced in 1922. In addition to golf, Dunlop Sport focuses on racquet and water sports, including tennis, swimming, squash, padel, and badminton. The company produces a range of products, including racquets, strings, balls, shuttlecocks, and bags, as well as sportswear such as t-shirts, shorts, skirts, jackets, and sneakers.
Dunlop Sport is currently operated by SRI Sports, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which acquired the brand in 2017. Sumitomo Rubber Industries also owns other golf brands, including XXIO, SRIXON, and Cleveland Golf, which specialize in wedges and have a strong reputation among pro golfers.
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XXIO, a leading golf brand
Dunlop Sport is a British sports equipment manufacturing company established in 1910. It entered the sporting goods market in 1910 when it began manufacturing rubber golf balls in Birmingham. In 2017, the Dunlop brand was acquired by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which also owns the rights to the sports brand XXIO.
XXIO [zek-si-oh] is a Japanese premium golf brand introduced in 2000. It is part of Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd., which is owned by SRI (Sumitomo Rubber Industries). XXIO has established itself as one of the leading brands in the world of golf, known for its outstanding technology and commitment to meeting customer needs. The brand is popular in Japan, catering to golfers of all skill levels seeking longer and straighter golf equipment.
The XXIO9 series features Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.'s original Dual Speed Technology, maximizing the efficiency of the golfer's swing. XXIO golf clubs are also known for their premium shafts, such as Graphite Design Tour AD shafts and Mitsubishi Rayon golf shafts.
In addition to its focus on innovation and performance, XXIO offers excellent customer service. Golfers can take advantage of trial programs to test out XXIO golf clubs before making a purchase decision. The brand also provides easy returns and price matching to ensure customer satisfaction.
XXIO is part of a portfolio of golf brands under the Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd. umbrella, including Srixon, Cleveland Golf, Never Compromise, and Miyazaki shafts. Each brand has its unique character, contributing to the diverse offerings within the golf industry.
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Cleveland Golf, a specialist in wedges
Dunlop Sport is a British sports equipment manufacturing company established in 1910 that focuses on racquets and water sports. In the past, Dunlop also manufactured golf equipment, including golf balls and clubs. The Dunlop "flying D" logo was introduced in 1960.
Cleveland Golf, on the other hand, is a specialist in wedges, which are clubs that determine the success or failure of delicate short game shots. Cleveland Golf was founded by Roger Cleveland in 1979 and has been a member of the Dunlop Group since 2007. The company's R&D base is located in Huntington Beach, California, where it crafts premium equipment trusted by both professionals and amateurs. Cleveland Golf wedges are renowned for their exceptional spin and versatility, as well as their tour-proven grinds and milling patterns. They offer a range of models to suit every type of golfer and turf condition, including the RTX 6 ZipCore and CBX 4 Zipcore wedges, which are known for their user-friendliness and performance in adverse weather conditions.
Cleveland Golf's wedges feature industry-leading spin technology, precise milling patterns, and multiple bounce options, providing golfers with the confidence to execute any shot with outstanding control. The ZipCore technology shifts weight for better COG placement, while the UltiZip grooves deliver maximum spin in all conditions. Additionally, the HydraZip face technology maximizes spin in wet conditions, making it a game-changer for golfers.
Cleveland Golf's wedges are highly regarded in the golfing world, with many top pro golfers relying on their performance and dependability. The company's combination of classic design aesthetics and Dunlop's cutting-edge technology has made Cleveland Golf wedges the gold standard for short game performance. Whether golfers need assistance with their short game or desire more control over their shots, Cleveland Golf offers a range of wedges to suit their needs.
Cleveland Golf's wedges are an excellent choice for golfers of all levels, from amateurs to professionals, looking to improve their short game and overall performance on the greens. With their innovative technology, exceptional spin control, and user-friendly designs, Cleveland Golf wedges have established themselves as a leading brand in the golfing world.
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Dunlop's golf ball manufacturing
Dunlop Sport is a British sports equipment manufacturing company that was established in 1910. The company manufactures racquets, strings, balls, shuttlecocks, and bags. In the past, Dunlop also manufactured golf equipment, including golf balls.
Dunlop was established as a company manufacturing goods from rubber in 1889. The company entered the sporting goods market in 1910 when it began to manufacture rubber golf balls at its base in Birmingham. In 1922, Dunlop introduced the Maxfli golf ball, along with seven iron models and two wood models. It was rare at that time for a single golf equipment company to release so many wood and iron models in one year.
In 1930, Dunlop started manufacturing its first domestically produced golf balls. Over the years, Dunlop has continued to play an integral role in bringing golf to people all over the world. The company has also expanded its global presence and reached new regions.
In 1957, Dunlop acquired the golf club manufacturer John Letters of Scotland. In 1959, the Slazenger Group was acquired, and the Dunlop "flying D" logo was introduced in 1960. In 1996, Dunlop Slazenger was acquired by the private equity firm Cinven, and to save money, the production of Dunlop tennis balls was moved from England to the Philippines. Slazenger Golf and Maxfli were sold off to reduce debt.
Today, Dunlop Sport is operated by SRI Sports, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which acquired the Dunlop brand in 2017. Sumitomo Rubber Industries also owns other golf brands such as XXIO, SRIXON, and Cleveland Golf.
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Dunlop's acquisition of golf brands
Dunlop Sport is a British sports equipment manufacturing company that was established in 1910. The company entered the sporting goods market in 1910 when it began manufacturing rubber golf balls in Birmingham. In 1922, Dunlop introduced the Maxfli golf ball.
In 1957, Dunlop acquired the golf club manufacturer John Letters of Scotland. In 1959, the company acquired the Slazenger Group, and in 1960, the Dunlop "flying D" logo was introduced. In 1983, the John Letters golf club business was sold back to members of the Letters family. In 1984, the sports businesses were merged to form Dunlop Slazenger.
In 1996, Dunlop Slazenger was acquired by the private equity firm Cinven for £330 million. To reduce debt, Slazenger Golf and Maxfli were sold off. In 2004, Frasers Group bought Dunlop Slazenger for £40 million.
In December 2016, Sports Direct announced that it had agreed to sell the Dunlop brand to Sumitomo Rubber Industries for £112 million ($137.5 million). The sale was completed by May 2017. Sumitomo Rubber Industries, a Japanese conglomerate, is a global leader in tires, materials, industrial products, and sports equipment.
In 2017, Sumitomo's North American sales company, Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. (RCGC), began doing business as Dunlop Sports Americas. This realignment brought the Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and XXIO golf brands under the umbrella of Dunlop Sports in North America. These brands have retained their identities, branding, and positions in the market while leveraging the global synergy and recognition provided by the Dunlop brand.
Dunlop Sports Americas manufactures and sells premium golf and racket sports equipment under its portfolio of brands, including Dunlop, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and XXIO.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Dunlop is a British sports equipment manufacturing company that was established in 1910. It focuses on racquet and water sports, but it also manufactures golf equipment.
Dunlop manufactures golf balls and golf clubs. The company introduced the Maxfli golf ball in 1922, and the Dunlop 65 in 1935. The XXIO series is one of the major product lines of Dunlop, which includes golf clubs for senior players.
Dunlop owns Cleveland Golf, which specializes in wedges, and Srixon, which specializes in golf balls and clubs for professional and advanced players.
