YH America Expands Power Steering Hose Business

Yokohama Rubber has announced the expansion of the power steering business operated by it US affiliate YH America, Inc. In making the announcement, Yokohama states “in the changing US automotive market environment, no company can survive the power steering hose market without high product quality and cost competitiveness.” The company notes that, recognising this situation as an opportunity for improving its position in the market, YH America increased its production capacity in May by leasing a plant in South Carolina. This move should propel YH America into the top position on the US power steering hose market.

Headquartered in Kentucky, YH America assembles and sells power steering hoses, air-conditioning hoses and make and sell adhesives for automotive window frames and lamps to the Big Three and Japanese automakers in the US. It has approximately 400 US employees and recorded sales of approximately US$63 million in 2008.