Yokohama will begin its 2013 UK motorsport season at Silverstone, when four different series will utilise the Japanese brand as control tyres. The first round of the new BRDC Formula 4 series will be joined by the Aerial Atom Cup, the Sports 2000 series and Caterham Graduates.
Phase two work on Yokohama Rubber’s truck and bus tyre factory in Thailand is scheduled to begin in July. This second stage of the Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. project involves the erection of a second plant on a 2.6 section of land adjacent to the existing truck and bus tyre factory in Rayong Province. Yokohama Rubber’s total investment in this second plant amounts to 8 billion yen (£53.6 million). The expansion will double the Thailand subsidiary’s truck and bus tyre capacity to 700,000 pieces per annum; the second plant is scheduled to enter production in April 2015 and full-fledged operation the following December.
As of this month, Yokohama rubber’s tyre factories in Japan will begin using a newly developed inner liner technology that is said to “substantially” improve the retention of air pressure in truck and bus tyres. The tyre maker says it can reduce natural air leakage by approximately 30 per cent compared with conventional liners. Not only does this help maintain air pressure, Yokohama says it also permits the design and manufacture of lighter tyres. Following the technology’s adoption in Japan, Yokohama Rubber will gradually introduce it at truck tyre factories in other parts of the world.
The UK distributor of TSW, Beyern and Mandrus replacement alloy wheels, Yokohama HPT has confirmed the addition of several new wheels to its UK line-up that use the “rotary forging” process to create strong, dynamic and lighter wheels. During manufacturing the outer rim is forged while the wheel centre and rim mould are spun at high speed. TSW’s Panorama and Tanaka, the Beyern Spartan, the Mandrus Rotec and the Victor Equipment Innsbruck are all products of this technique in the current Yokohama HPT range.
Following the news that Yokohama established a Mexican subsidiary, Yokohama Tire Mexico S. de R.L., local news reports suggest the tyre manufacturer is planning to use this company to build a passenger car tyre production plant in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. According to El Economista newspaper, the plan is for the plant to provide tyres to Honda and Mazda auto plants in the region, as well as for the North American replacement market.
Yokohama Rubber has confirmed its participation in Auto Shanghai 2013, which will take place in the Chinese city between 20 and 29 April. The tyre maker will be represented by its local sales company, Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Under the theme ‘Love Driving, Love Eco,’ Yokohama will highlight its Advan and BluEarth ranges during the show.
Takayuki Hamaya, chief operating officer at Yokohama Tire Corporation, shares that several promotions within the Japanese tyre maker’s North American operation took effect on 1 April.
Yokohama Rubber has announced three personnel changes that will take effect on 1 May.
Hikomitsu Noji has been appointed CEO of the tyre maker’s US operation, Yokohama Tire Corporation, and CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America. Noji retains the title of president and representative director of parent company Yokohama Rubber. Noji is expected to travel to the United States regularly in his new role but will remain based at Yokohama Rubber’s headquarters in Tokyo.
In order to expand its market presence through direct sales, customer service and more efficient distribution channels, Yokohama rubber has established a subsidiary in Mexico. Guanajuato-based Yokohama Tire Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. (YTMX) was founded in March, with former Yokohama Tire Corporation vice-president Gary Nash taking on the role of president as of 1 April.
In future, Yokohama’s motorsport activities will be handled by a new company specifically set up for that purpose. On 1 April, Yokohama Rubber established Yokohama Motorsports International Co., Ltd., a company specialised in governing the development, supply and overall activities related to its racing tyres. The new operation is headed up by Tetsuya Kuze, who has been appointed president of Yokohama Motorsports International. Kuze also serves as a director and corporate officer at Yokohama Rubber. The Tokyo-based company will be fully operational as of July and employ approximately 20 people.
Norio Karashima, former president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation, is returning to the US-based manufacturing and sales operation as executive advisor. Karashima will commence in this role on 1 April and be based at the company’s headquarters in Fullerton, California.
Yokohama Rubber’s tyre plant in China, Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd., has benefitted in RMB 13.47 million (£1.4 million) in grants from Hangzhou City and the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone (HEDA). The grants cover the period between December 2012 and March 2013 and the Japanese manufacturer says they were given in recognition of the company's economic and environmental activities. The grants awarded to Hangzhou Yokohama are said to represent the largest amount awarded to a single company (as opposed to a group of companies) amongst the 340 or so located in the HEDA.
Yokohama has a wide range of 4×4 tyres in the aftermarket, with recent original equipment deals testament to the brand’s on and off-road credentials. The Advan ST ‘MO’ is an OE fitment for Mercedes-Benz and the 2013 Toyota Rav4 sports the new Geolandar G91AV pattern as original equipment.
Yokohama Tire Corporation has announced what it calls key changes to its Consumer Sales division. These changes take effect immediately and include the addition of a new sales zone, along with several organisational changes. On the changes, Dan King, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for the Japanese company’s North American manufacturing and marketing arm, commented that “the geographical reorganisation offers the best utilisation of our resources and moves us closer to our dealers in order to better support them.”
Point S has appointed Jonathan Smith as a Pricing Analyst. As Pricing Analyst, Smith will be responsible for regularly reviewing the data provided to Point S by suppliers including Bridgestone, Michelin and Yokohama. Any insights gained from this information will then be fed back to member via the pricing area of the new Point S website. In addition he will also be developing a range of automated processes that will enhance member’s experience of Point S.
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