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Yokohama India - History

Yokohama India - History

■1910～1920

	Corporate History	Product History
1917	On October 13, the Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., was established as a joint venture between Yokohama Electric Cable Manufacturing Company (predecessor of today’s Furukawa Electric Co.) and the United States’ B.F. Goodrich Company. The photo shows Suekichi Nakagawa, a director at Yokohama Electric Cable who was instrumental in Yokohama Rubber’s establishment and later became the company’s second president.
1920	Construction of the company’s first production facility, the Hiranuma Plant, was completed in Hiranuma-cho, Yokohama. The plant began producing belts, tires and other products using refining processes and belt, hose and tire manufacturing equipment from the U.S.	The first corded tire produced by the Hiranuma Plant (circa 1920)
1921	Entrance to the Hiranuma Plant	Development of Japan’s first corded tire, the Hama Town Cord Development of a cut-edge flat belt
1923	The Hiranuma Plant was completely destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake
1929	Construction of the Yokohama Plant completed in Heian-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama Founding spirit (as expounded by President Suekichi Nakagawa during speech at opening of Yokohama Plant) Production is a social service. There must be a basic commitment to delivering quality products unrivaled by those of competitors. Management should adhere to the principles of fairness and consideration. A company should have as few employees as possible and make the best use of the productivity of machines. This is the great secret for improving efficiency. The success or failure of a business depends on how much one is willing to study, and with how much determination, to mutually improve and grow. Accordingly, one must make a great effort.

■1930s

	Corporate History	Product History
1930		The first tire produced at the Yokohama Plant
1933		Launched the flat-resistant Golden Ply Tire. Photo shows a typical tire sales outlet in the 1930s.
1937	Trademark name changed from Goodrich to Yokohama	Launched the Y-Shaped Tire, which represented a leap forward in tire durability
1938		Manufactured the tires used on the Grosser Mercedes used as the Imperial vehicle of Emperor Hirohito

■1940s

	Corporate History	Product History
1941	Established Koua Rubber Industry Co., Ltd., in Shanghai, China Established Yifeng Rubber Ammunition Factory Co., Ltd, in Tianjin, China	Began producing tires for Japan’s Zero fighter planes
1942	Established rubber plant in Singapore
1943	Established Mie Plant in Mie Prefecture Continued expansion of the Yokohama Plant (photo circa 1943)
1945	Yokohama Plant rendered inoperative by Allied air raids (photo shows destruction at the plant)
1946	Established Mishima Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture

■1950s

	Corporate History	Product History
1952	Completed Phase 1 of the Hiratsuka Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture and started production there of belts, large tires, and vinyl products. Closed the Yokohama Plant.
1954		Launched the Y-29, Japan’s first snow tire
1955		Launched the HAMA SAFETY (photo) and HAMA LINER, Japan’s first tubeless tires
1957	Head office circa 1957 (Shibatamura-cho, Tokyo; now located at 36-11, Shimbashi 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
1958		Developed large pneumatic rubber fender (photo) Launched HAMATITE® sealant made from a rubber and resin compound
1959	Signed technology licensing agreement with Taiwan’s Nankang Rubber Tire Corporation

■1960ｓ

	Corporate History	Product History
1961	Completed construction of new corporate headquarters, the Yokohama Rubber Building
1962		Created “Smileage Mark”to promote sales of YOKOHAMA brand tires (photo） Began production and sales of construction-use sealants
1963	Japanese company name changed to match the English, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
1964	Shinshiro Plant in Aichi Prefecture began operations Constructed HAMATITE® (sealings) plant in Nakahara, Hiratsuka-shi
1965		Yokohama Rubber’s steel cord conveyor belts adopted by Joban Coal Mining Co., Ltd. (photo) Launched sales of commodity conveyor belt Unicon Belt
1967		Launched sales of G.T. SPECIAL STEEL, a radial tire for passenger cars (left photo) Launched sales of the Surge Series of high-pressure hoses (right photo)
1968	Completed tire test course at Hiratsuka Factory
1969	Established Yokohama Tire Corporation as US tire sales company (photo circa 1971)

■1970s

	Corporate History	Product History
1970	Launched sales of automobile windshield sealant	Installed German-made equipment for producing a 3.2-meter wide steel cord conveyor belt at the Hiratsuka Factory
1971		Launched sales of Japan’s first steel radial tubeless tire, the G.T. SPECIAL STEEL (left photo） Developed aluminum honeycomb structural material (right photo)
1973	Established Yokohama Aeroquip Co. in joint venture with U.S.-based Aeroquip A.G. Signed manufacturing technology licensing agreement with South Korea’s Hankook Tire Mfg. Co., Ltd. Took equity stake in Ethiopia’s Addis Tyre Co. S.C.	Launched sales of all-weather, highly elastic paving material Surfam Developed rubber anchor buoy Globuoy （photo）
1974	Started production of high-pressure hoses at Ibaraki Plant (photo) Started production of off-the -road tires at Onomichi Plant
1975		Launched sales of G.T. SPECIAL SEALEX, a passenger car tire with automatic puncture-sealing function (photo) Launched sales of Japan’s first truck/bus radial steel tires with an aramid-fiber carcass
1976		Rally cars equipped with G.T. SPECIAL tires won the Safari Rally Championship and the Southern Cross Rally. The Southern Cross victory marked the fifth year in a row (1972-76) a G.T. SPECIAL‒equipped car won the rally (photo shows Southern Cross Rally driver Andrew Corwann).
1977		Developed the Y-801 and Y-802 racing tires for touring cars (Y-801 for dry conditions, Y-802 for wet conditions; photo shows G.T. SPECIAL Sunny that used both tires)
1978		Launched sales of ADVAN HF for passenger cars

■1980ｓ

	Corporate History	Product History
1980	Signed technology licensing agreement with Indonesia’s P.T. Gajah Tunggal	Launched sales of two new passenger car tires, ASPEC AX-323 (left photo) and G.T. SPECIAL GRAND PRIX (right photo)
1981	The BF Goodrich Company sold its majority share in Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., to Japanese companies Consolidated Australian tire sales companies into new subsidiary Yokohama Tyre Australia Pty. Ltd.	Developed lavatory module for Boeing 757 Developed water tank for Boeing 757 and 737
1982	Signed technical assistance agreement with Taiwan’s SC Kingflex Corporation	Launched sales of ASPEC AX-323 for passenger cars Launched sales of GRAND PRIX GX-501 for passenger cars The ADVAN March racing car (photo) won the second race of the All Japan F2 Championship, the car’s first victory
1983	Signed technology licensing agreement with Ceat Tyres of India Limited	Began use of the Performance Y mark Became the exclusive supplier of official tires for the 1st Macao F3 Grand Prix Launched sales of the PRGR (ProGear) golf equipment. Photo shows a PRGR carbon driver.
1984	Established Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. as Canadian tire sales company	Launched sales of GUARDEX, a studless tire for passenger cars Launched sales of GETTAR, Japan’s first radial tire for motorcycles (photo)
1985		Launched sales of INTECH 60 (SX705) for passenger cars Launched sales of TY715, a tubeless tire for trucks and buses
1986	Built the D-PARC comprehensive tire proving ground in Ibaraki Prefecture (photo) Took equity stake in South Korea’s Hankook Tire Mfg. Co., Ltd.	Launched sales of GRAND PRIX Europe M3 for passenger cars Launched sales of SCIENCE 2070 for passenger cars Launched sales of PRGR Driver μ-240 (photo)
1987	Signed technical and management support agreement with Taiwan’s Nankang Rubber Tire Corporation	Launched sales of CRITERIA (CX603) for passenger cars ADVAN Porsche (photo) equipped with ADVAN racing tires won the Japan Endurance Championship series for the third consecutive year.
1988	Established GTY Tire Company in the U.S. in a joint venture with U.S. company General Tire and Toyo Tire and Rubber Co., Ltd.	Launched sales of ADVAN GLOBA, a passenger car tire with an asymmetric tread pattern Launched sales of RY038, a truck/bus tire based on the STEM theory Launched sales of the long golf iron INTEST LX (nicknamed “Tarako”) (photo) Launched sales of the PRGR M30 ladies’ golf clubs
1989	Established the T*Mary winter tire test course in Takasu-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido Established YH America Inc. in the U.S. to assemble automotive hydraulic pressure hoses Established Yokohama Reifen GmbH as a tire sales company in Germany Acquired U.S. tire maker The Mohawk Rubber Company (photo)	High-performance passenger car tire A008P receives technical certification from Porsche (left photo) Launched sales of A.V.S-T30, a high-performance passenger tire (right photo)

■1990s

	Corporate History	Product History
1990	Took equity stake in Taiwan’s SC Kingflex Corporation	Launched sales of SY101, a studless tire for trucks and buses (photo) Passenger car tire ADVAN A022 H1 adopted as original equipment on Japan models of Honda NSX
1991	Completion of an R&D integrated center (RADIC) at the Hiratsuka Factory	Launched sales of ASPEC AX-327, a passenger car tire Launched sales of Flex Line, a cylindrical conveyor belt that prevent scattering of the transported object (photo)
1992	Formulated the company’s basic philosophy, “To enrich people’s lives and contribute to their greater happiness and well-being by devoting our wholehearted energies and advanced technology to creation of beneficial products”, and an accompanying corporate slogan, “Excellence by nature” U.S. subsidiary Yokohama Tire Corporation absorbs Mohawk Rubber Company, also a U.S. subsidiary, and Mohawk Rubber’s non-tire business is spun off into new subsidiary SAS Rubber Company.	Launched sales of ADVAN NEXUS, a passenger car tire Launched sales of STEM RY 208 tire for trucks and buses Launched sales of high-performance bicycle ASCLE MS-011 (photo)
1993	Formulated Environmental Action Plan targeting elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions	Launched sales of GUARDEX K2, a studless tire for passenger cars (photo) Launched sales of A.V.S VS-5, an aluminum wheel for passenger cars
1994		Launched sales of A.V.S EXCELEAD, a passenger car tire Developed components for H-II rocket engines (left photo) Launched sales of a PRGR Driver DATA Wood Reverse Titanium (nickname: Black Titanium) (right photo）
1995		Launched sales of ADVAN NEOVA, a passenger car tire (photo) Launched sales of seismic isolation layered rubber bearings Launched sales of a PRGR Driver DATA Wood Reverse SD Titanium (nickname: Red Titanium)
1996	Established Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. as tire manufacturing/sales subsidiary Acquired all shares of Yokohama Aeroquip Co. and changed corporate name to Yokohama Hydex Co. Established Yokohama Rubber (Thailand) Co., Ltd., to manufacture automotive sealants and assemble high-pressure hoses Established Yokohama Tire Taiwan Co., Ltd., as a tire sales subsidiary	Launched sales of GEOLANDAR A/T tire for recreational vehicles (left photo) Launched sales of AVID S306 for passenger cars Launched sales of PRGR Driver DATA Wood Reverse Type 252 (nickname: Silver Titanium) (right photo)
1997	Established Yokohama Tire Vietnam Company as tire manufacturing/sales subsidiary	Started “inch up” campaign to promote tire sales in Japan Began sales of base isolation devices for buildings Delivered water tanks for Boeing 777(left photo) Launched sales of ROCK UNICON conveyor belt (right photo) Launched sales of PRGR Driving Spoon ZOOM F
1998	Opening ceremony for Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (photo) YH America begins manufacturing/sales of windshield sealants Environment Action Plan revised with view to strengthening environmental activities Mishima Plant becomes first Yokohama Rubber’s plant in Japan to receive ISO 14001 certification	Launched sales of ES01 and ES02 as first offerings of new fuel-efficient DNA series of passenger car tires (photo) Launched sales of GEOLANDAR I/T for SUVs
1999	All Yokohama Rubber plants in Japan receive ISO 14001 certification Hiratsuka Factory introduces cogeneration system as part of efforts to reduce energy consumption (photo)	Launched sales of DNA GP for sports cars (photo) Launched sales of GUARDEX K2 F720, a studless tire for passenger cars

■2000ｓ

Corporate History

Product History

2000

Issued first environmental report (currently titled “Eco Report”)

会社の歴史18

Launched sales of AVS Sport, a high-performance tire for passenger cars (left photo)
Launched sales of DNA dB, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars
Launched sales of GUARDEX K2 F721, a studless tire for passenger cars (right photo)
Team TAISON, running on ADVAN racing tires, won its class race at the 24 Hour Le Mans race

製品の歴史37

2001

Entered into an alliance with Germany’s Continental AG (photo from joint press conference in 2002)
Established Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd. as tire manufacturing/sales company in China

会社の歴史19

Launched sales of DNA ECOS, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars (left photo)
AVS Sport tire received technical certification for use on the Aston Martin Vanquish
Launched sales of PRGR Driver Speed Titanium TR (right photo)

製品の歴史38

2002

Formulated long-term vision, Grand Design (GD) 10 (photo shows the GD symbol mark)
Established Shinshiro-minami Plant in Aichi Prefecture

会社の歴史20

Launched DNA map-RV for one-box-type vans and DNA map-i for wagon-type vans
Launched DNA dB EURO for luxury import passenger cars
Launched ice GUARD iG10, a studless tire for passenger cars (photo)

製品の歴史39

2003

Opening ceremony for Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd. (photo)
Established N.V. Yokohama Belgium S.A. as tire sales company

会社の歴史21

Developed HiTES, a tire-pressure monitoring system for truck/bus tires
Launched sales of Ecotex, an energy efficient conveyor belt
Yokohama Rubber’s pneumatic rubber fender receives ISO certification (photo)

製品の歴史40

2004

Established Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., as a tire manufacturing/sales company
Established Yokohama Hamatite (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., to manufacture and distribute automotive sealants in China
Established Yokohama Hoses & Coupling (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, to assemble high-pressure hoses in China

Developed AIR watch, a pressure monitoring system for passenger car tires

製品の歴史41

2005

Established Yokohama Tire Korea Co., Ltd., as a tire sales company
Established Yokohama Russia L.L.C. as a tire sales company
Established Yokohama Europe GmbH as a tire marketing company in Germany
Established Yokohama Rubber (China) Co., Ltd., to oversee group business operations in China

Established ADVAN as the global flagship brand and launched worldwide sales of ADVAN Sport V103 (photo)
Launched sales of DNA S. drive for sports cars
ADVAN Sport V103S selected as original equipment for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4
Began free recycling of recycling system for e-can containers for construction sealant
Launched sales of PRGR Driver T3 model 105

製品の歴史42

2006

Announced new medium-term management plan, Grand Design (GD) 100 (symbol mark shown below)
Established Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., as tire sales company
Established Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products Co., Ltd., to manufacture and sell conveyor belts in China.
Established Suzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd., as a tire manufacturing/sales subsidiary in China

会社の歴史22

Launched sales of GEOLANDAR A/T-S for SUVs
Became official tire supplier for the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) (photo)

製品の歴史43

2007

Established Yokohama India Pvt. Ltd.
Started the Yokohama Forever Forest tree-planting project. First tree-planting ceremony was held at the Hiratsuka Factory (photo)
Held the first Global Environment Council, attended by YRC production facility managers from around the world

会社の歴史23

Launched sales of ADVAN Sport Z.P.S, a runflat tire for passenger cars
Launched sales of DNA dB super E-spec, featuring an 80% non-petrochemical material composition (left photo)
Launched sales of ZEN 102ZE, a fuel efficient, low maintenance tire for trucks and buses (right photo)
Launched sales of the PRGR egg iron

製品の歴史44

2008

Established Yokohama Asia Co., Ltd., as a tire marketing company in Thailand
Established Y.T. Rubber Co., Ltd., a natural rubber processing company in Thailand (photo)
Established Yokohama Rubber Latin America Comercio Ltda. as a tire marketing company in Brazil
Established LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. as a tire manufacturing/sales company in Russia

会社の歴史24

Launched sales of DNA Earth-1 for passenger cars
Launched sales of ice GUARD TRIPLE, a studless tire for passenger cars (left photo)
Launched sales of PRGR egg SPOON fairway wood
Launched sales of PRGR ZOOM X,, a utility club (right photo)

製品の歴史45

2009

Start of GD100 Phase II
Established the Tire Test Center of Asia in Thailand (photo)
Established Yokohama Industrial Products Europe, GmbH, as an industrial products marketing company in Germany
Established Yokohama Tire Japan Co., Ltd., with merger of domestic tire sales companies

会社の歴史25

Launched sales of ADVAN NEOVA AD08 for passenger cars (left photo)
Developed AIRTEX Advanced liner, enabling lighter weight tires (right photo)
Launched sales of PRGR Driver egg Impact PX-01
Launched sales of Y-coat, a coating material used in household appliances and electronic devices

製品の歴史46

■2010s

	Corporate History	Product History
2010	Began including labels indicating tire rolling-resistance and other performance indicators, in line with Japan’s introduction of new labeling system for fuel-efficient tires Established Yokohama Industrial Products Japan Co., Ltd., upon merger of domestic industrial products sales companies Formulated Guidelines for the Preservation of Biodiversity	Launched sales of BluEarth AE-01, first offering in the BluEarth series of fuel-efficient passenger car tires (photo) Launched sales of PRGR Driver iD 455
2011	Established Yokohama Industrial Products Sales – Shanghai Co., Ltd., as a sales company for industrial products in China Announced the construction of a hydraulic hose plant in China Established Yokohama Peer Support Co., Ltd., as a company promoting employment of disabled individuals.	Launched sales of BluEarth-1 AAA spec, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars Launched sales of ZEN 903ZW, a studless tire for trucks and buses Electric car equipped with BluEarth tires wins Pike’s Peak Hill Climb in U.S. in record time (photo) Launched sales of PRGR eggbird Driver
2012	Start of GD100 Phase III Signed the United Nations Global Compact Received integrated ISO 14001 certification for all divisions of Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. Held Yokohama Forever Forest Project tree-planting event in Iwate Prefecture, in an area devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earhtquake and subsequent tsunami (photo) Held opening ceremony at LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. in Russia	Launched sales of BluEarth-A, fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars Launched sales of GEOLANDAR SUV tire (left photo) Launched sales of ice GUARD 5, studless tire for passenger cars (right photo) Launched sales of PRGR iD nabla X Driver
2013	Established Yokohama Industrial Products Asia-Pacific as an industrial products sales company in Singapore Established Yokohama Tire Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. as a tire sales company in Mexico Established Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi LLC as a tire manufacturing/sales company (photo shows scene from groundbreaking ceremony)	Launched sales of ADVAN V105 as our global flagship tire (left photo) Developed the AERO-Y electronic vehicle concept car Launched sales of a 49-inch large radial tire for construction and mining vehicles ADVAN V105 MO selected as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz S Class models Launched sales of PRGR iD nabla RED Driver (right photo)
2014	Signed master technological alliance agreement with South Korea’s Kumho Tire Co. Inc. (photo of signing ceremony) Established Yokohama Industries Americas Inc. upon merger of YH America Inc. and SAS Rubber Company	Launched sales of BluEarth AE-01F, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars (left photo) ADVAN Sport V105 N-0 receives technical certification for use on Porsche Panamera Launched sales of PRGR egg1 Driver Launched sales of BluEarth LT152R, fuel-efficient tire for light trucks and buses (right photo）