Ikuji Ikeda, president of the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA) and chairman of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110), spoke recently about just what the JRMA has been up to of late. For one, he noted how a centerpiece of the association’s activities last year was getting the manufacture of rubber products added as an occupation type under Japan’s Technical Intern...
Inaugurated as president of Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) last June, Toru Koyama stepped into the role amid a raft of major changes in the business environment – including COVID-19 as well as the accelerating trend in automotive electrification. Speaking recently with Japan Rubber Weekly, Koyama said for fiscal 2021 that he aims to see the company land a proper...
Speaking recently about the future of his company’s business for elastomer materials, Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) President Kimiaki Tanaka said COVID-19 has made it clear that there is strong global demand for specialty elastomers. This can also be interpreted, he said, to mean that elastomers without specialized characteristics will have to be offered at a low price if they are to...
Facing a tough market and a need for innovation, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has been making a range of moves to solidify its business foundations and pave the path for future growth. Company president Naoki Miyazaki recently sat down with Japan Rubber Weekly to give some insight into these plans. To begin with, Miyazaki noted that 2019 saw Toyoda...
Gates Unitta Asia Co. is making a number of efforts to improve its sales of V-belts, auto tensioners and more across the Asian market. Shuji Miyamoto, who serves as VP at the company, recently took some time out to sit down for an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly and talk about Gates Unitta Asia’s efforts toward this. 2020 is expected...
Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) has set its sights on having speciality products make up a larger proportion of its elastomers business going forward. Company president Kimiaki Tanaka took some time out recently to speak with Japan Rubber Weekly about these plans. Tanaka noted that in its business for elastomer materials, Zeon recently started up a new Thai plant for acrylic rubber....
