Takaharu Fushimi returns to US as Yokohama CEO
Takaharu Fushimi, a managing corporate officer with Tokyo-based The Yokohama Rubber Co, Ltd. (YRC), has returned to the US to assume the post of CEO for Yokohama Corporation of North America (YCNA).
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Yokohama Rubber acquires Parker Hannifin’s Italian marine hose business
Yokohama Rubber has expanded its non-tyre business with the acquisition of Italian marine hose manufacturing and sales company Parker MHP S.r.l. from its US-based parent company Parker Hannifin Corporation. The Italian company’s name will be changed to Yokohama Industrial Products Italy S.r.l.
Yokohama title sponsor of LPGA Classic golf tournament
For years, Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) has utilised football, basketball and baseball as the backbone for its sports marketing programme. This year, Yokohama Rubber’s US subsidiary has added a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament to its sponsorship portfolio, becoming the title sponsor of the inaugural Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. The event takes place between 18 and 21 September in Prattville, Alabama, will feature many of the top women golfers in the world, including Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel.
Yokohama fielding Geolandar-shod SUV in Baja 1000
Yokohama Rubber says it will enter an SUV in the 2014 Tecate Score Baja 1000 off-road race that will take place in Mexico’s Baja California state between 12 and 16 November. The tyre maker will also support one of the top US off-road teams participating in the race.
Reifen 2016 at record registration levels
The time since Reifen 2014 can still be measured in weeks, but even now, Messe Essen reports that it has already firmly rented out around 60 per cent of the area in 2014 for Reifen 2016 on 24–27 May, 2016. The more than 150 exhibitors which have already registered include the following manufacturers (amongst others): Alligator, Giti Tire, Kraiburg, Kumho Tyre, Infinity Tyres, Marangoni, VMI and Yokohama. Moreover, the trading companies Bohnenkamp and Reiff have confirmed their participation in the world’s leading trade fair for the tyre sector.
Yokohama continue MK Dons partnership for 2014/15 season
Yokohama HPT is to continue its ongoing partnership with League 1 giant-killers (and the company’s local team) MK Dons. If last night’s 4-0 victory over Manchester United (26 August 2016, Capital One Cup) is anything to go by, Yokohama will be celebrating its investment as money well spent.
Yokohama exhibiting at Moscow International Automobile Salon 2014
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has signalled its involvement in Moscow International Automobile Salon 2014, to be held in Moscow, Russia from 27 August 7 September. The Yokohama exhibit will feature the company’s the global flagship tyre brand “Advan” and the winter tyre brand “iceGuard”, as it promotes the “high-performance Yokohama” image.
First-half 2014 results a record for Yokohama Rubber
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. reports that its net sales, operating income and net income reached record first-half highs in the first half of the 2014 financial year. Net income climbed 38.4 per cent over the same period of the previous year to 18.0 billion yen (£104.9 million), on a 23.8 per cent increase in operating income to 23.6 billion yen (£137.6 million), and a 5.3 per cent increase in net sales to 283.9 billion yen (£1.7 billion). Underlying this performance was a strong sales growth in the company’s tyre business, both in Japan and internationally, along with gains in a number of other business areas. Earnings in each segment benefited additionally from a downward trend in raw material prices and from the weakening of the yen.
Yokohama announces North America management change
Hikomitsu Noji, CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation, will return to Japan to become president of Yokohama Rubber’s Tire business. This new role commences 1 October. Succeeding Noji as CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America is Takaharu Fushimi, who is currently head of Yokohama Rubber’s OE Tire Sales & Marketing division and president of Yokohama Continental Tire.
Yokohama introduces new generation winter tyres
Yokohama has announced the upcoming launch of its newest generation of winter tyres in the UK. The W.drive V905 is being introduced this year in a range of 15-17” sizes, and the UK distributor, Yokohama HPT, is expecting to take delivery of the first available sizes ready for the start of the 2014/15 winter season.
Yokohama OE on Lexus NX
The Lexus Group has selected Yokohama tyres as original equipment for its new crossover SUV, the Lexus NX. Exact fitments will vary according to region, however worldwide the tyre maker is supplying two models of tyre in a total of three sizes. The Yokohama tyres selected for the Lexus NX are the BluEarth E51 in size 225/60R18 100H and the Geolandar G91 in sizes 225/60R18 100H and 225/65R17 102H.
Yokohama moves Western US distribution centre to Chino
Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) has announced that it will move its Western Region distribution centre to Chino later this year. The 22 mile move is inspired by recent growth, causing the company to increase warehousing capacity from its existing 380,000sqft facility in Fullerton, California. The newly constructed Chino warehouse will measure 658,000sqft.
Yokohama an ‘Energy Efficiency Forerunner’ in China
Last month, Yokohama’s passenger car tyre production and sales unit in China was commended as an ‘Energy Efficiency Forerunner’ at the 2013 Annual Petroleum and Chemical Energy Efficiency Benchmarking Enterprise Conference. The commendation given to Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd. is related to promoting the energy saving policies of the Chinese government; Hangzhou Yokohama was recognised for low energy consumption per ton of tyres produced.
Mercedes-Benz approves Yokohama as OE for GLA-Class
Yokohama Rubber reports that it will supply original equipment tyres for the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class in certain markets. The compact SUV will come equipped with either a standard or run-flat version of its C.drive2; both are size 235/50R18 97V tyres. The standard tyre will have the letters ‘MO’ printed on the sidewall while the run-flat version has the original equipment designation ‘MOE’.
Yokohama reshuffles senior management
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has made the following changes in senior management responsibilities and the appointment of corporate officers, as decided at the 25 June 2014, meeting of the board of directors. The changes will be effective as of 1 July 2014. Yasushi Kikuchi becomes managing corporate officer, Head of Tire Materials Development Div., Head of R&D Center having previously been managing corporate officer, Head of Tire Technical Development Div., Head of R&D Center.
