Inoac Corp. CEO Soichi Inoue recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Japan Rubber Weekly. The 87-year-old Inoue discussed the global expansion of the Nagoya-based company, a Japanese leader in rubber and resin-related products. With Inoac having overseas subsidiaries in some 80 locations across 13 countries, the company is expanding its business in the global market, Inoue said. The...
Interviews
Yokohama Rubber’s Noji, Yamaishi Discuss Path to Navigating Turbulent Landscape
With Masataka Yamaishi set to step into the role of president and representative member of the board of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) on March 30, both Yamaishi and current president Hikomitsu Noji discussed the change at a press conference. It is a turning point of a year, said Noji, as 2017 marks the final year of the company’s 12-year...
Toyoda Gosei to Keep Close Watch on NAFTA Renegotiations: President Miyazaki
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) operates four plants in Mexico and is in the process of shifting production from plants in Canada and the U.S. to Mexico as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) framework, particularly in relation to weatherstrip products. The company is moving forward with investments in a Mexico subsidiary to increase the production capacity...
Sumitomo Riko to Invest in US If NAFTA Collapses: CEO Nishimura
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) will need to boost production in the U.S. if renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) following President Trump’s inauguration results in high tariffs, said Chairman and CEO Yoshiaki Nishimura. Speaking at a recent media gathering, Nishimura stated that the company will monitor developments involving NAFTA, tailoring investment and employment plans accordingly and...
Okamoto to Upgrade Factories in Japan, Expand Condom Business in Asia: President
Okamoto Industries Inc. (TYO:5122) President Yoshiyuki Okamoto recently granted an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly to describe the company’s plans for the near-future. Okamoto said the company has plans to upgrade and redesign factories over the coming three years. Okamoto Industries will be aggressive in capital spending to streamline operations at plants in Japan, an effort that president Okamoto characterized...
Nitta President Talks Overseas Business, Strategies to Cope With High Growth Rates
Speaking with Japan Rubber Weekly in an interview, Nitta Corp. (TYO:5186) President Motonobu Nitta said that regarding overseas development in 2017, the company has completed the facility at its U.S. plant and is now installing equipment. Operations are expected to start in July. In Thailand, the focus will be on Nitta Moore hose and tube products, where local production of...