BRAND STORY
BRAND STORY
DUNLOP'S HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL
Years of tradition precede the current Dunlop boot. Our history goes back to 1888, when a Scottish veterinarian named John Boyd Dunlop had a simple idea that changed the world.
1888
JOHN BOYD DUNLOP INVENTS THE PNEUMATIC TYRE
John Boyd Dunlop had a simple idea that changed the world. While he was watching his son ride on a tricycle one day, he noticed how uncomfortable he was, riding over stones and uneven terrain with hard, rubber tires. He covered the wheels in thin, rubber sheets, glued them together and made them springy by pumping them up with a football pump. And there it was, the pneumatic tire providing his son lots of comfort riding his bike. In 1888, John applied for a patent for the pneumatic rubber tire and in 1889 he opened his first tire factory in Dublin, Ireland.
1889
Dunlop brand was founded
John applied for the pneumatic rubber tire patent and opened his first tire factory in Dublin, Ireland
1904
HEVEA IS FOUNDED: PRODUCTION OF RUBBER PRODUCTS
Production of rubber boots, tyres, and PVC boots
1927
INTRODUCTION OF THE DUNLOP BOOT
In 1927, Dunlop teamed up with Liverpool Rubber Co Ltd and expanded his production with protective footwear. And hence the Dunlop boot was born. Offering comfort, protection and durability.
1967
Introduction of Acifort Boots
Acifort is Dunlop’s unique invention of PVC, nitrile rubber and polymers. Nitrile rubber ensures a longer lifetime and better resistance to oil, fat, blood and chemicals. Polymers add flexibility to your boot, thereby increasing comfort.
1980
HEVEA INTRODUCES PUROFORT® BOOTS
In 1980, Hevea invented Purofort, a unique material with millions of evenly distributed air pockets, making it extremely lightweight and thermally insulated. The cross-linked structure of the material provides flexibility and strength. Almost 40 years later, there’s still no other work boot that is as lightweight and strong as a Purofort boot, thanks to the special recipe that has been kept secret to this day.
1995
HEVEA ACQUIES PORTUGUESE BOOTS MANUFACTURER PLANETO PLASTICOS
Description: Our second production location of Dunlop Boots is located in Leiria (PT), producing over 4,5 million pairs of PVC and Purofort boots per year. Thereby having the largest PVC capacity in any such factory in Europe
1996
HEVEA BUYS DUNLOP BOOTS
This acquisition gave Hevea access to the world market with the famous Dunlop brand. 2010: Start of sector approach: boots are optimized for specific sectors.
When it comes to protective footwear, a farmer has complete different needs than a constructor or a miner. That’s why in 2010, Dunlop decided to optimize its range of boots for specific sectors, segmenting between Agriculture, Fishery, Industry, the Food processing industry and Oil, Gas and Mining. For every foot a perfect boot.
2016
DUNLOP ACQUIRES ONGUARD IN THE USA
In May 2016, Dunlop took an important step in its growth strategy with the acquisition of ONGUARD Industries from Ansell Corporation. ONGUARD is a leading manufacturer of protective boots in the USA with over 75 years of experience and an extensive product range, offering a strong platform for growth in North America and beyond.
2019
Snugboot launches
Launched the boots that changed the PPE workforce.
2022
PRO Series Launch
A series combining the fit of a sneaker with the protection of Purofort while re-inventing the design of a boot. The PRO series was introduction of Sneaker Fit into the world of PPE Footwear.
2023
Dunlop Launches Sneaker & Classic fit
Dunlop has two different fits for the different needs of our customers. The innovative Sneaker Fit locks in your foot and ankle and reduces walking weight, while the Classic Fit allows for easy movement, reducing cuts and tears with its flexibility.