Associations of medium-sized rubber companies in Tokyo, Kobe and Kyushu recently held a combined forum to explore possibilities for collaboration. These three regions are marked by monuments as the birthplace of Japan’s rubber industry, the history of which is built on the backs of local industry in the regions. Members of Tokyo’s Bokuto Rubber Industrial Committee, the Kyushu Rubber Manufacturers...
Rubber scientists and engineers from around the world gathered to attend the International Rubber Conference (IRC) Kitakyushu 2016 held Oct. 24–28, and its joint event, the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition, held Oct. 25–28. It marked the fifth time that the IRC has been held in Japan, and the first time in 11 years. With an attendance primarily consisting of scientists...
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) is looking at leveraging Japan’s forte of manufacturing and rolling out its technology on a global scale, says Yukio Saegusa, director of the company’s Advanced Tire Production System Division. To this end, the company is putting effort into optimizing production and introducing cutting-edge technology. Presently within Bridgestone’s 10 tire factories domestically, Saegusa said that the company has enhanced the...
Chinese tire manufacturers, even the ones that make the best product, have experienced flat year-on-year growth for passenger vehicle tires, while year-on-year performance is down 30 percent for truck and bus tires. Even so, local tire makers say this situation is good for their companies. Things are said to be even worse for off-road (OR) tires for construction vehicles. This...
