In 1918 the Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company formed the South African Rubber Manufacturing Company Ltd (Sarmcol) to supply the market with automotive and industrial rubber products. In 1919 Sarmcol opened manufacturing facilities in Howick in the Natal Midlands initially to manufacture automotive and industrial rubber products and later, conveyor belting and rubber hose products.

In the late 1960’s BTR (UK) acquired Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company, thereby acquiring control of Sarmcol, and in the early 1970’s listed BTR South Africa on the JSE.

In the mid 1980’s BTR UK acquired Dunlop’s world wide interests and as BTR Dunlop consolidated and rationalised its South African interests. BTR Dunlop’s South African interests were in turn acquired by Dunlop Africa Ltd in 1996.

In 2001 Dunlop Africa Ltd delisted from the JSE and sold its industrial products operations to a newly formed company Dunlop Industrial Products (Pty) Ltd.

The business and assets acquired comprised the manufacture and sale of conveyor belting, hydraulic and industrial hoses, automotive rubber products and rubber mouldings .

To provide focus and to facilitate the introduction of equity and technology partners, black empowerment, and joint venture relationships, the new owners have restructured the businesses and rationalised the manufacturing activities.