Bridgestone Golf

[Hacker Khan]

Isn't the Pro V the most bought item in golf ? Not sure if that means it's the most profitable though ?

No it doesn't, but I am guessing if you are measuring it purely by the mark up on the manufacturing costs then it may well be. Pro V1s are hardly ever discounted to the levels of other balls, and I can't see how it costs that much more to make the thing than others. And as it is the leading seller, bingo, mucho profito on the cost of making it (possibly ignoring factors like marketing costs, IP etc etc)

 

[Foxholer]

Someone I know used to work for Cleveland, said Srixon bought Cleveland, and they are all about Srixon balls and gloves. I've also heard there's only 3 manufacturers of balls, Srixon, Bridgestone and Callaway. True or not I'm not sure, but he did say that Nike balls are Bridgestone, and Titleist pay a royalty of $1 a ball to Bridgestone.

I should think you would have to add Acushnet to that list. I can't believe they would allow another company to manufacture their #1 product! And I would think Acushnet would have found a way round the need to pay a royalty too - by not needing the license.

A similar limited list exists (or existed) with graphite Tennis Racquets. Kennex made a huge percentage of the world's racquets for different companies.

 

[dufferman]

Dunlop make Srixon balls... I only found that out recently via actually buying a box of Srixon balls and seeing this:

Simples!

 

[BTatHome]

Dunlop make Srixon balls... I only found that out recently via actually buying a box of Srixon balls and seeing this:

Simples!

doesn't Srixon own dunlop? Seem to remember reading it somewhere

 

[c1973]

I thought the Dunlop brand was owned by a variety of companies, dependant on the geographical location. I may be mistaken but I'm sure someone posted on here saying the same thing (with more detail). Was it Foxholer?

 

[sev112]

They are all made by Durex, that famous rubber manufacturer - they have a variety of different products depending on whether you like it hard or soft, or with lots of dimples








Oops sorry, Dunlop. - that's the one I meant !

 

[Blue in Munich]

Dunlop make Srixon balls... I only found that out recently via actually buying a box of Srixon balls and seeing this:

Simples!

If only it was;

http://www.srigroup.co.jp/english/index.html

Sumitomo Rubber Industries is the SRI in Srixon. On May 5th 2012, the sports division changed their name from SRI Sports Limited to Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd with the goal of "promoting enhanced corporate and brand value". On the first Spin Skin Z-Stars they have the distributors on the box and there are both Srixon & Dunlop distributors. So Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd. ARE Srixon, they are one and the same thing, but they are not Bridgestone. Allegedly…...

 

[stevelev]

Yup, I'm a bit weird like that. I also don't own a GPS device, don't take a mobile phone on the golf course and rarely if ever believe anything a rep says.

You don't half move with the times then. ne:

 

[Foxholer]

I thought the Dunlop brand was owned by a variety of companies, dependant on the geographical location. I may be mistaken but I'm sure someone posted on here saying the same thing (with more detail). Was it Foxholer?

It was indeed!

In most parts of the world, Dunlop Sports is owned by Sports Direct International. DNA (Housemarks) Limited, a company jointly owned by Sports Direct and SRI Sports, is the owner of the Dunlop brand in the United States. The brand is wholly owned by SRI Sports in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, and Spartan Sports have the rights to the brand in Australia and New Zealand.

And that's only the Sports side.

Dunlop Tyres is owned by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company which sells Dunlop brand tyres in North America, Australia and Europe. In other regions of the world, the Dunlop brand is owned by other companies. In India the brand is owned by Dunlop India Ltd. whose parent company is the Ruia Group, and in the rest of Asia and Africa by Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

In 1985, Dunlop Rubber Company was acquired by BTR plc, and Sumitomo acquired the rights to manufacture and market Dunlop branded road tyres. Sumitomo did not acquire any Dunlop company. In 1997 Sumitomo gained agreement to use the Dunlop name in its corporate name, and changed the name of its UK subsidiary to Dunlop Tyres Ltd.

In 1999 Sumitomo and Goodyear began a joint venture by which Sumitomo continued to manufacture all Japanese-made tyres under the Dunlop name, while Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought 75% of the European and North American tyre businesses of Sumitomo.

The company has extensive manufacturing operations throughout the world. With the closure of the Washington plant in 2006, Goodyear Dunlop ceased mainstream car and lorry tyre production in the UK.

Dunlop maintained a motorsport manufacturing operation located in a corner of the original Dunlop factory (nicknamed "Fort Dunlop") in Erdington, Birmingham, established in 1891 until May 2014. This factory produces specialised vintage, motorcycle and touring car tyres, and produces about 300,000 specialised racing tyres per year. On 30th May 2014, the Birmingham factory ceased tyre production, ending Dunlop tyre production in the UK.

For the Maxfli 'brand'...

Maxfli is a brand of sports equipment, most recognized for its golf balls, currently owned by Dick's Sporting Goods of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's purchased the brand from TaylorMade-adidas Golf on February 11, 2008, however, the Noodle trademark and all golf ball patents remained with TMaG.

Maxfli was previously owned by the Dunlop Slazenger group before its acquisition my TMaG in 2003. While under TMaG ownership, the brand underwent a change in focus from premium balls, such as Black Max and Red Max, to distance balls such as the Fire and the already successful Noodle, as TMaG looked to use its own TaylorMade brand in the high end golf ball market. The Maxfli brand and trademark was originally created by the sports division of the Dunlop Tire and Rubber Corporation, headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

And that's all the stuff about the brand that is nothing to do with Bridgestone - apart from being a competitor!

 

[3565]

It was indeed!

In most parts of the world, Dunlop Sports is owned by Sports Direct International. DNA (Housemarks) Limited, a company jointly owned by Sports Direct and SRI Sports, is the owner of the Dunlop brand in the United States. The brand is wholly owned by SRI Sports in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, and Spartan Sports have the rights to the brand in Australia and New Zealand.

And that's only the Sports side.

Dunlop Tyres is owned by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company which sells Dunlop brand tyres in North America, Australia and Europe. In other regions of the world, the Dunlop brand is owned by other companies. In India the brand is owned by Dunlop India Ltd. whose parent company is the Ruia Group, and in the rest of Asia and Africa by Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

In 1985, Dunlop Rubber Company was acquired by BTR plc, and Sumitomo acquired the rights to manufacture and market Dunlop branded road tyres. Sumitomo did not acquire any Dunlop company. In 1997 Sumitomo gained agreement to use the Dunlop name in its corporate name, and changed the name of its UK subsidiary to Dunlop Tyres Ltd.

In 1999 Sumitomo and Goodyear began a joint venture by which Sumitomo continued to manufacture all Japanese-made tyres under the Dunlop name, while Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought 75% of the European and North American tyre businesses of Sumitomo.

The company has extensive manufacturing operations throughout the world. With the closure of the Washington plant in 2006, Goodyear Dunlop ceased mainstream car and lorry tyre production in the UK.

Dunlop maintained a motorsport manufacturing operation located in a corner of the original Dunlop factory (nicknamed "Fort Dunlop") in Erdington, Birmingham, established in 1891 until May 2014. This factory produces specialised vintage, motorcycle and touring car tyres, and produces about 300,000 specialised racing tyres per year. On 30th May 2014, the Birmingham factory ceased tyre production, ending Dunlop tyre production in the UK.

For the Maxfli 'brand'...

Maxfli is a brand of sports equipment, most recognized for its golf balls, currently owned by Dick's Sporting Goods of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's purchased the brand from TaylorMade-adidas Golf on February 11, 2008, however, the Noodle trademark and all golf ball patents remained with TMaG.

Maxfli was previously owned by the Dunlop Slazenger group before its acquisition my TMaG in 2003. While under TMaG ownership, the brand underwent a change in focus from premium balls, such as Black Max and Red Max, to distance balls such as the Fire and the already successful Noodle, as TMaG looked to use its own TaylorMade brand in the high end golf ball market. The Maxfli brand and trademark was originally created by the sports division of the Dunlop Tire and Rubber Corporation, headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

And that's all the stuff about the brand that is nothing to do with Bridgestone - apart from being a competitor!

You astound me Foxholer, where do you get your info/s*** from?

 

[Foxholer]

You astound me Foxholer, where do you get your info/s*** from?

Those were pretty much straight cut/pastes from Wikipedia!!!

There's more info if you delve deeper elsewhere, but that's the best starting place.

Solves a lot of mysteries, cures the b/s and destroys a lot of myths!

35+ years of de-bugging/solving problems means I like to get to the real facts!

Still calling b/s on the Srixon/Bridgestone link in the OP - but if evidence is produced......

 

[Beezerk]

A rep telling porkies and making up false claims? Who'd have thought it

 

[need_my_wedge]

Those were pretty much straight cut/pastes from Wikipedia!!!

There's more info if you delve deeper elsewhere, but that's the best starting place.

Solves a lot of mysteries, cures the b/s and destroys a lot of myths!

35+ years of de-bugging/solving problems means I like to get to the real facts!

Still calling b/s on the Srixon/Bridgestone link in the OP - but if evidence is produced......

Whilst I would generally agree with that statement for much of Wikipedia, it should be noted that anyone can edit a page and add any info they want. I could if wanted to, go and edit it right now and add information stating that they make golf balls for Bridgestone Having said that, as you say, it's a good place to begin delving for any information.

I'd heard the Bridgestone/ Nike, and the Bridgestone/ Titleist stories a few times, but I've never heard anything regarding a Bridgestone and Srixon collaboration. If you look at the Srixon history page on their own website, there's only one mention of Bridgestone......and it's nowt to do with balls...... http://www.srixon.co.uk/srixon-history/ (Apologies, have just read the 10 pages and can't recall if this link was mentioned previously).

IN BRIEF

1930
Golf Ball manufacture begins in Japan, for Dunlop UK.

1963
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) assumes management of Dunlop UK in Japan.

1983
SRI begins the supply of golf balls to Dunlop Slazenger, for the global market.

1994
SRI golf science centre is opened.

1996
Ichijima golf ball factory begins operation and the 'Srixon Project' is launched in South East Asia.

2000
SRI launches the Srixon 'Hi-Spin' golf ball and establishes sales in 27 countries worldwide. Srixon becomes the producer of the number one ball, club and driver in Japan.

2001
International professional golfers sign full staff agreements to endorse Srixon on the Mens and Womens PGA tours.

2002
The XXIO golf clubs are marketed and the 'Hi-Brid Tour' golf ball is introduced. Start of Srixon Sports Europe subsidiary.

2003
XXIO Hot driver voted "Worlds Longest Driver" in independent tests in Golf World Magazine.

2004
Introduction of revolutionary HRX-333 and AD333 golf balls, with major international tour victories.

2005
Introduction of new 403 Woods and Irons. XXIO Impact Power Body 'Hot' Driver, and Z-UR tour ball.

2006
Signing of Jim Furyk added to more than 250 Srixon players who between them had 37 International victories in '06. Launch of the new 506 range and tour winning Z-URS ball. Introduction of new WS System. Jim Furyk advances to World No.2 ranked player at year end. Srixon signs swedish star Henrik Stenson. SRI Sports goes public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

2007
Introduction of 3 piece Trispeed ball. Srixon consistently the Number 2 ball brand in the UK ball Market. Henrik Stenson wins WMC Matchplay and Dubai Desert Classic. Jim Furyk Runner up in US Open for 2nd year running. Year ends with 39 international tour victories. The AD333 becomes the UK's best selling 2 piece ball and wins Today's Golfer best value ball award.

2008
Srixon start the season with 5 players in the world top 50. Many new products including the AD333 2 piece ball, Z-RW driver, i701 tour irons, 706 wedges and 7 series putters are released, together with a wealth of accessories.

2009
What a year – 2009 saw the acquisition of Cleveland Golf, the world’s number one wedge company and the opening of Srixon & Cleveland Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead. More Tour Pros switch to Srixon – Vijay Singh, Boo Weekley, David Howell and Bradley Dredge make the change. Srixon launch the WR line of clubs and the technology driven Z-STAR ball line – sure to eclipse the competition, plus further improvements to the Soft Feel and Distance balls. Late 2009 saw the AD333, yet again the UK’s best selling 2 piece ball*, made even better along with the launch of the new range of Z-TX clubs.

2010
Sees the launch of new Z-STAR yellow, Trispeed and Distance balls, plus the latest XXI0 Range. Srixon maintains a 20+% share in the UK Ball market. New Z-STAR users on tour include young stars Ryo Ishikawa and Shane Lowry. For the 2nd year Srixon proudly sponsor the Scottish Seniors Open. Srixon record more than 150 International Tour Victories in the last 4 years.

2011
Following a fantastic 47 tour wins in 2010 we head into 2011 with the prospect of another exciting year ahead. Graeme McDowell, seven times European Tour winner and the 2010 US Open Champion, joins our impressive worldwide tour player line-up that includes the likes of Vijay Singh, Robert Allenby and John Rollins competing in the US, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Bradley Dredge, Shane Lowry and Hennie Otto in Europe, and Laura Davies and Karrie Webb on the Ladies Tour – to name but a few.

What’s more, our golf ball range continues to go from strength to strength with the AD333 remaining in top spot as the UK best selling 2 piece golf ball* and the whole Srixon 2 piece range still retaining its position as the UK’s best selling 2 piece range.

2011 also sees the release of the new and improved, technology driven Z-Star Pure White and Tour Yellow 3 piece golf balls with the Z-Star XV Pure White and Tour Yellow completing the range with our first ever 4 piece golf ball.

And, we're enhancing our golf club line-up with the introduction of the brand new Z-Star range and the new and improved XXIO Prime range to compliment the already proven XXIO 6 clubs.

2012
AD333 remains UK’s Number One 2 piece ball and Srixon remains Number One 2 piece ball brand in UK. Introduction of version 5 of AD333, available in both PURE White and Yellow.

Keegan Bradley and Graeme McDowell win Bridgestone and World Challenge Events respectively with prototype versions of new Z-STAR Range.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, playing the Srixon Z-STAR becomes the oldest winner on the European Tour, with his victory at the Hong Kong Open. Total victories for Z-STAR now 78 in the last 2 years.

2013
Introduction of new Z-STAR & Z-STAR XV Balls, featuring Spin Skin technology are played by Graeme McDowell and Keegan Bradley.

New and improved Soft Feel and Soft Feel Lady balls together with Distance balls. Introduction of Ball Fitting Days throughout UK and Europe together with Fitting Carts for Cleveland brand.

New XXI0 Prime range available for European Market.

Inbee Park made history by winning 3 majors in a row making her only the second person to do so in LPGA Tour history!

The Srixon Z-Star golf ball line-up – winning on tours the world over...

BRAND HISTORY
So who are Srixon, and why are they now established as a force to be reckoned within the golf equipment market?

Srixon is the Sports arm of Sumitomo Rubber Industries of Japan – one of the Worlds largest Conglomerates and owner of Dunlop Tyres.

Srixon is a registered trademark of SRI Sports Ltd and SRI Sports is a Company of the Sumitomo Rubber Industries Group.

The word SRIXON is derived from the SRI above, X which means unlimited and ON which means going onwards.

Srixon is the 4th biggest Golf Company in the World and has been making golf balls for over 80 years. They were the pioneers of Balata Balls and produced most of the most successful balls in this category.

They are the owners of the only Super Computer in the Golf Industry and which is used by Mercedes and BMW for exact tolerance and performing testing.

They can analyse a ball and clubs ever changing forces, distortions and energies to an amazing 1/100,000,000 of a second. This is called “Digital Impact Technology” and it has led to many of their breakthrough products.

They also pioneered and patented the technology that resulted in the development of the modern high COR Drivers and they have been producing these for more than 15 years.

Srixon began supplying balls to the Dunlop Slazenger Group in the 1980's and in 1990 produced their Maxfli Balata HT ball. Srixon were actually the first golf ball manufacturer to pioneer the use of soft balata rubber in the manufacture of golf balls, which was without question the ball of choice of all better golfers.

By the mid 1990's Srixon was investing heavily in technology advances in product development. In 1994 it opened its Golf Science Centre for state of the art testing and research.

Since then Srixon has emerged as the world's leading developer of golf ball technology - with over 700 patents taken out worldwide. In its search for maximum performance Srixon developed the world's first perimeter weighted balls and an Energetic Gradient Growth Core.

Major advances were made in club technology too - particularly in optimising clubhead design to deliver the longest drives. Srixon's pioneering analysis of ball and club impact has been fundamental to the success of its club and ball development.

Srixon on tour is a fantastic success story, with new signings like Graeme McDowell, Vijay Singh, Soren Kjeldsen, Shane Lowry, Ryo Ishikawa and Inbee Park joining our professional ranks.

For the future of Srixon watch this space!

 

[dufferman]

So Dunlop / Srixon are one and the same! I see!

I'll be sure to ask for some Srixon tyres from KwikFit next time I'm there, that'll confuse 'em!

 

[Foxholer]

So Dunlop / Srixon are one and the same! I see!

I'll be sure to ask for some Srixon tyres from KwikFit next time I'm there, that'll confuse 'em!

Actually, the Srixon Tyre (Tire) brand is specifically protected in the Joint Venture agreement! That agreement may be unwinding - as of earlier this year.

Over here, it's more likely to be Dunlop/Goodyear that is 'the same'. The JV was 75:25

So you'd only get 1 Srixon! The other 3 would be Goodyears! If KwikFit got it right in the first place!

 

[dufferman]

Actually, the Srixon Tyre (Tire) brand is specifically protected in the Joint Venture agreement! That agreement may be unwinding - as of earlier this year.

Over here, it's more likely to be Dunlop/Goodyear that is 'the same'. The JV was 75:25

So you'd only get 1 Srixon! The other 3 would be Goodyears! If KwikFit got it right in the first place!

Damn!! I thought I was being clever!!!