Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 31, 2016 02:00 AM

Yokohama opening North Carolina R&D center

Tire Business Report
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Scott Merryweather

    CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. is opening a tire research and development center in Concord, N.C. that will consolidate separate R&D staffs operating at a number of locations throughout the U.S.

    Yokohama plans to initiate operations at the center in September with 56 employee, according to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory.

    The company, which operates tire plants in Salem, Va., and West Point, Miss., said the U.S. center would be its largest overseas R&D center in both functions and number of employees. YRC said consolidating its R&D activities will strengthen its R&D framework and “further accelerate its ability to deliver new tire products that meet market needs in a timely manner.”

    Yokohama has budgeted $2.7 million over three years for the center, according to McCrory and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). YRC did not specify the exact location of the center, but added it would “consider additional investment in its facilities in line with the expansion of the breadth of its activities.”

    The new center will focus on designing tires for passenger cars and other consumer applications, but plans to expand its activities to include testing and evaluation, design of tires for industrial and construction machinery, technical services and quality assurance.

    Gov. Pat McCrory

    “The establishment of the Yokohama Technical Development Center in North Carolina is yet another testament to our commitment to the North American market,” said Tetsuya Kuze, vice president of Yokohama Corp. of North America, a YRC subsidiary that oversees all Yokohama-related operations in North America. “With a Technical Center in the United States, we accelerate our ability to deliver new tire products to both the original equipment and replacement tire markets.”

    Yokohama said it selected the Charlotte area because of its ability to attract high-quality staff and its close proximity to a hub airport. McCrory added that North Carolina's “leadership in motorsports and automotive components are helping bring great jobs to North Carolina.”

    The new center will have an annual payroll impact to the local economy of up to $4.5 million, the EDPNC said.

    Yokohama's decision to open a facility in North Carolina was facilitated in part by a performance-based grant of up to $150,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, which provides financial assistance in support of local governments in creating jobs and attracting economic investment.

    Additionally, the decision fits with Phase IV of the company's Grand Design 100 medium-term management plan, which calls for placing greater importance on the North American market.

    North America represented 17 percent of Yokohama's global sales, or roughly $885 million, last year.

    Worldwide, YRC said it's been strengthening its tire R&D activities in regional centers close to the markets it serves.

    The company established a center in 2006 in Nurburgring, Germany; a Tire Test Center of Asia in Thailand in April 2009; and the Yokohama China Technical Center in China in January 2012.

    Related Articles
    Yokohama completes Alliance Tire purchase, names chairman
    Yokohama tires tapped for Mazda sport utility vehicles
    Yokohama considering U.S., Mexico for new plant
    Yokohama promotes Funkhouser
    Yokohama Rubber reports declining sales, earnings
    Yokohama sponsors Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
    McLaren opens industrial tire R&D center
    Yokohama names new tire division president
    Yokohama introduces 'Blue Earth' eco truck tire
    STL plans Tire Technology Seminar
    Japan recognizes Yokohama's 'super-computer' tire research
    Yokohama reports sharp decline in results amid slowdown
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Bolder, Liberty Tire collaboration sets stage for more circular industry
    2
    Formula DRIFT proving Giti's prowess, raising innovation bar
    3
    'Made in America': Giti bringing premium tires, in-demand sizes to U.S. plant
    4
    Goodyear to halve capacity at German plant, cut jobs
    5
    Enviro's Sorensson, Blomqvist named to JV Board of Directors
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION