Responding to the continued spread of the novel coronavirus, major tire manufacturers in Japan have decided to call off or postpone initiation ceremonies for new employees. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) is among this list, having decided to postpone its ceremonial activities. Meanwhile, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) has decided that rather than hold its usual activities for new employees, it will...
Industry
Bridgestone Fields Questions Regarding Coronavirus, Diversified Business and More at General Meeting of Shareholders
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) recently held a general meeting of shareholders at the Palace Hotel Tokyo, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24. The meeting was attended by 246 shareholders and lasted for one hour and 10 minutes. Seven shareholders at the meeting asked a total of eight questions. Topics here included the company’s progress with diversified businesses, as well...
Japan’s Rubber Unions Lodge 2020 Demands for Wage Increases
The Japan Rubber Workers Union Confederation (JRC), an organization made up of labor unions from various rubber-related companies, has set out on its annual spring labor offensive for 2020. Focusing on large manufacturers, the bulk of union demands have now come in. A survey based on information gathered at the JRC shows that as of March 6, 47 unions have...
Goodyear Teams up With Skechers for Joint Development of Footwear
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. recently announced that it has been working with footwear brand Skechers USA Inc. to develop new footwear. Outsoles making use of Goodyear’s rubber technology are being utilized in a range of Skechers products. These outsoles incorporate various Goodyear technologies, such as a special polymer that includes renewable soybean oil. As a result, the outsoles provide...
Coronavirus Looks Set to Impact European Operations of Japanese Rubber Companies
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has now spread to the point where it is impacting Japanese rubber companies with operations in Europe. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has halted operations at two of its European plants as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, Japan Standard Time. The decision includes a truck and bus tire plant in Bilbao, Spain, as well as...
Companies Struggle to Predict How Novel Coronavirus Will Impact Rubber Industry With Uncertainties Hovering Over Western Markets
Around two months have now passed since the novel coronavirus came to be widely reported on in the global media. But unlike in China, where some aspects relating to the virus outbreak are starting to calm down, the world more broadly is seeing the virus continue to spread. Against this backdrop, one player in the field noted concern around how...