New Year’s Top Interview: Bridgestone CEO Masaaki Tsuya The administrative framework at Bridgestone has not changed one iota since it came under a dual leadership structure in February 2012, said Masaaki Tsuya, CEO of Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108), in an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly. While moving forward with efforts to establish and maintain a systematic corporate ethos, they are using...
Domestic demand for tires is expected to amount to 118.55 million tires for 2015, 4 percent fewer than the previous year, according to the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA). The decrease was caused by lower vehicle production volume. The forecast for 2016, meanwhile, calls for a 1 percent annual increase to 119.2 million tires. ■ Assumptions behind the demand...
(Continued from part 1 published Dec. 18, 2015) Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) has developed a multi-objective design exploration technology enabling innovative new ideas in rubber materials design that have not been derived from conventional methods. The goal is to take a fresh approach to developing high-performance tires that excel in terms of fuel economy and safety, while also delivering...
2015 was a year of numerous new materials and material development technologies from tire companies. Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110), which makes Dunlop tires, came out with its Advanced 4D Nano Design new materials development technology. Advanced 4D Nano Design is able to accurate analyse and simulate the internal structures and molecular behaviour of rubber, making possible significant, simultaneous improvements...
Yujiro Kanahara has been named president of Nippon Goodyear Ltd. Kanahara succeeds Dale Brackin, who successfully served as interim president during the transition period since October 2015 when Nippon Goodyear and Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) ended their alliance. Kanahara joined Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) in 1978, where over the years he held positions in product planning, sales and marketing and...
The light automobile market in Japan is growing even larger as manufacturers add yet more advanced features to the vehicles. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has responded to this trend by putting a new line of tires on the market. The Regno GR-Leggera tires, available in three sizes, are the Regno brand’s first that are designed specifically for light automobiles. Regna is...
