Bridgestone Corp (TYO:5108) is expanding production capacity of passenger car tires and light truck radial tires at the Quebec-based Joliette Tire Manufacturing Plant of Bridgestone Canada Inc. (BSCA), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSA). The investment is expected to total $250 million. With the expansion scheduled to break ground in 2016, new technologically advanced equipment will be phased in...
Japanese tire companies are reaping higher profits in the North American market with the help of a livelier U.S. economy. That help is coming in the form of strong sales of large vehicles in the U.S. that is creating major demand for large tires fitted onto pickup trucks and SUVs. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has responded to this demand by announcing...
The Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA) released a compilation of full-year figures for 2015 showing that exports of rubber goods fell by 4 percent year-on-year to 977 billion yen ($8.78 billion). The poorer performance compared to the previous year was despite the weak yen. Meanwhile, exports rose for the sixth year in a row, increasing 8 percent year-on-year to 428.9...
Hikomitsu Noji, president of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101), recently spoke with the Japan Rubber Weekly about the direction of the tire and non-tire businesses under the company’s current medium-term management plan. Noji said his company will concentrate on leveraging its advanced technological prowess based on three pillars: (1) focus on the global OE market; (2) achieve a stronger presence...
Yoshiaki Nishimura, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191), recently commented on the current state of the company’s business growth and transformation into a global firm. In 2013, Sumitomo Riko carried out four M&A deals, giving the company the largest share in the global market for automotive anti-vibration rubber. That share is projected to be...
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) is increasing production of high-performance passenger car tires (18-plus inches in diameter) at its Shinshiro Plant, Aichi Prefecture. The company will commence construction on a new line this May and, with a launch planned for June 2017, is in position to have full production possible by April 2018. With an investment of 3.7 billion yen ($32.76...
