Yokohama shifts production at Japanese plants

TOKYO (Feb. 2)—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. will phase out production of truck and bus tires at its Hiratsuka, Japan, plant by early 2002, consolidating production of radials at the larger Mie, Japan, plant and allowing for expansion of non-tire products at Hiratsuka. The consolidation is part of Yokohama´s "Action 21 Business Reform" plan designed to make its manufacturing facilities more efficient, the company said. Capacity for radial truck tires at Mie will expand 20 percent to 6,000 units a day to accommodate the Hiratsuka production.