Rockwell Automation announced it has been selected by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., a global tire and rubber manufacturer, to support the company’s digital transformation efforts across plant floors globally. Sumitomo Rubber, known for its DUNLOP and FALKEN brands, will deploy Rockwell’s FactoryTalk ProductionCentre, a manufacturing execution system (MES) platform, as part of its strategy to integrate and standardize business and production data. Deployment will begin at the company’s Shirakawa plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, and expand to other plants worldwide following evaluation.
Sumitomo Rubber is addressing growing business challenges, including material cost increase and labor shortages, by implementing highly efficient production systems through digital technology. The company aims to standardize production across its global sites, which handle high-mix, low-volume production. To enhance integration with its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Sumitomo Rubber chose Rockwell’s FactoryTalk ProductionCentre for its compatibility with existing systems and its specialized knowledge in tire manufacturing. With MES templates tailored to tire manufacturing, the solution optimizes complex production processes, scales operations, reduces downtime while enhances speed and quality.
“We believe leveraging Rockwell Automation's expertise will enable us to standardize manufacturing management and enhance operational efficiency globally, driving our growth,” said Kenji Saito, executive officer and general manager of the tire manufacturing headquarters at Sumitomo Rubber Industries in a press release. “Based on our mid-term management vision, we intend to deploy the new system beginning with the domestic plant. We will continue to collaborate with Rockwell Automation, a global leader in manufacturing, and embrace new challenges with a forward-looking approach, making full use of AI.”
“We are pleased to support Sumitomo Rubber by integrating our tire MES solution, FactoryTalk ProductionCentre, into their existing systems,” said James Glasson, vice president, global Industry auto, tire and advanced mobility. "This initiative will enhance operating efficiency, minimize manufacturing risks, reduce implementation costs and significantly accelerate speed to market.”
Sumitomo Rubber aims to strengthen its organizational structure through this digital initiative by 2025. From 2026 onward, the company plans to expand its digital transformation practices to adapt to an evolving business environment.
