Yokohama produces 100 millionth tire at Virginia tire plant

SALEM, Va.—Top executives of Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) and staff at YTC's Salem plant recently celebrated the 100 millionth tire produced there since parent Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. took over the factory in 1989.

The 100 millionth tire produced, a Geolandar A/T G015 light truck/SUV tire, came out of the press on March 23.

YTC President Jeff Barna, who was on hand to mark the occasion, noted the plant's contribution to the growth and success of Yokohama in North America since Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. acquired Mohawk Rubber Co., which had opened the plant in 1968.

Yokohama has renovated and expanded the plant several times in the past 33-plus years. The plant, which makes passenger and light truck tires, employs 632 and has a rated manufacturing capacity of 6.2 million units a year.

Hourly workers at the plant are represented by United Steelworkers Union 1023L and are covered by a labor contract that runs through September 2026.

YTC also operates a 400,000-sq.-ft. warehouse distribution center adjacent to the plant which spans over 900,000 square feet. Salem is a city of about 25,000 residents that neighbors Roanoke in west-central Virginia.

The Salem plant is one of two factories YTC operates in the U.S. The other is a truck/bus tire plant in West Point, Miss.