The Japanese Rubber Workers Union Confederation (JRWUC) has largely completed its spring labor offensive, and unions have submitted wage demands at most large rubber manufacturers. According to the JRWUC, 45 out of 58 unions have submitted their wage demands, and despite discrepancies between sectors such as tires, automobile parts, and industrial goods, wage increase demands are trending downward from the...
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...
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...
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...
As the domestic rubber market shrinks, Japan’s rubber manufacturers must step up their global operations, JRMA Chairman and Yokohama Rubber CEO Tadanobu Nagumo said in an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly. He is touting technological innovation and environmental responsiveness as key concepts for the industry, saying that without excelling in these areas, globalization will be prohibitively difficult.
New Year’s Top Interview: Yokohama Rubber President Hikomitsu Noji 2015 was a very difficult year, but in 2016, Yokohama Rubber plans to recover by improving sales in Russia and Japan—markets where the company is strong—in addition to meeting strong demand in North America, Europe and China, said Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) President Hikomitsu Noji in an interview with Japan...
