Celebrating one hundred years of trading is certainly a feat to be admired and one that certainly draws respect from other manufacturers.
Finding itself in this position one of the countries biggest names in tyre manufacturing is celebrating its centenary in style. Birmingham based Dunlop aerospace division has just hosted a personal visit from the Duke of York himself.

Prince Andrew took a tour of the company’s administration offices, the main factory area and Dunlop's testing facility, where new products are continually being developed for the worlds aircraft including the Embraer EJets series, the Airbus A320, the amazing Eurofighter and many Airbus Military A400M transport aircraft.

Dunlop's contribution to aerospace manufacturing and aircraft tyres spans a hundred years with a legacy of achievements along the way.  The Duke of York was given a talk on the history of the company and also found out how his position as the UK's representative for trade and investment could benefit the company in its export trading position for aerospace products.

To complete the visit Prince Andrew talked of his experiences flying Lynx and Sea King helicopters, both equipped with the highest standard of Dunlop tyres and also many Bull dog light aircraft before he took to the stand to unveil a commemorative plaque for the centenary celebration. The Duke also kindly received a gift from the company in the form of a commemorative tail tyre from the legendary Spitfire, the aeroplane that is hailed as being a major influence in the victory of world war two.

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has recently created a brand new joint venture distribution and re-treading base in China and it has invested considerably in extra manufacturing and testing systems in order to increase production and create new products at its site in Birmingham in the Wes Midlands.

With a hundred years of aerospace manufacturing behind it one can only hope that Dunlop continues to prosper into another century of success and development.