By Oliver Hall

Yokohama has announced that its tyres plant in the Philippines has achieved what it describes as ‘comprehensive zero emissions’ in June 2010.

The company’s site for production and the sale of passenger car tyres was subjected to on-site
investigations of all contractors commissioned to dispose of waste from the plant (based on the disposal flowchart of each contractor), confirming achievement of “complete zero emissions.”

By Yokohama’s reckoning, “complete zero emissions” means no waste is subject to direct landfill disposal.

The company began efforts towards “zero emissions” – which translates as landfill disposal of less than 1 per cent of total waste - in 2006. The campaign began with the recycling of paper waste from offices, and the company carried out Recycle Collection Events of recyclable resources that grew to include PET bottles, plastic containers and used cans, separated and collected by each department or manufacturing process.

In November 2009, a team of Zero Emission Responsible Officers (ZERO) representing each department and manufacturing process was formed to promote zero emissions activities, including monthly patrols. In this way, the entire company, with the participation of each of its employees, worked to achieve the goal via thorough, affirmative separation of recyclable resources.

The next target is to achieve “100 per cent waste recycling”, which means no waste generated in the course of business activities is subject to landfill disposal or incineration “without effective utilisation.”

By Oliver Hall

Yokohama is the latest tyres company to announce it is increasing prices on consumer tyres in the US.

The tyres manufacturer is hiking prices by up to 8 percent, effective from 1 June due to the escalating costs of raw materials, manufacturing and transportation.

The price rise affects passenger, performance and light truck tyres.

Shawn Denlein, Yokohoma director or sales, consumer products, said: “Raising prices is always a difficult decision.

“We’ve been doing our best to contain our costs but the continued rise in raw materials, energy and transportation must, unfortunately, be reflected in Yokohama’s pricing.”

“We work hard to keep costs down while bringing the best products to market at competitive prices,” added Jim MacMaster, Yokohama executive vice president and COO.

“Even with our operational efficiencies, environmental procedures and the latest technologies, today’s tough business climate makes it a challenge to contain costs.”

Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and Michelin have already announced similar rises earlier this month due to the rising cost of materials.

Michelin have revealed that they will only return to Formula One next season if they have at least one other tyres supplier to compete against.

The French tyres manufacturer is seriously considering getting back into the sport after stepping away from the track at the end of 2006.

But now, with Bridgestone pulling out as the sole tyres supplier when their contract comes to an end later this year, Michelin has admitted it is tempted to get back in the driving seat - but it wants competition.

It has been rumoured that Michelin not only wants to be paid to supply 18-inch tyres in 2011, but that it would welcome a rival competitor.

At the opening round of the 2010 Le Mans series at Le Castellet, a senior Michelin spokesman said: “Certain things have to be done, we must have competition, we do not want to be the only supplier.”

And, according to Motorsport, reports suggest that if the F1 rim size is increased to Le Mans-type specification as per Michelin’s wishes, Yokohama and Dunlop may also be interested.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Denna Bowman

Yokohama Rubber has raised its financial projections after a surge in demand for winter tyres pushed sales higher than previously anticipated.

The “faster-than-expected recovery” in tyres sales led the company to increase its consolidated net sales and earnings projections for its fiscal year ending 31 March 2010.

Yokohama now projects a net income of 9.4 billion yen (approximately $101.8 million), compared with a net loss of 5.7 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. The projection is 34.3% higher than the projection announced on 30 October 2009.

Operating income is expected to rise 49.9% year-over-year, to 19.2 billion yen ($208 million). That projection is comparatively 12.9% higher.

Yokohama also estimates its net sales will decline 9.1% to 470.0 billion yen ($5.1 billion), an amount 1.1% higher than originally projected.

The company said: “Underlying the improved sales and earnings outlook is the faster-than-expected recovery in tyre sales.

“Demand from automakers in Japan has been stronger than expected, and heavy snowfall has generated stronger-than-anticipated demand for winter tyres in Japan.

“In addition, tyre demand has exceeded forecasts in markets outside Japan, especially in Asian nations. The upturn in sales has raised Yokohama’s capacity utilisation rate, meanwhile, which has fortified profitability further.”

Great news for anyone looking for ultra-high performing tyres - the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 will be rolling on to the UK roads in March.

The Neova AD08 is the latest addition to the Japanese tyres manufacturers flagship ADVAN range, which it claims epitomises the highest levels of performance, grip and safety Yokohama has to offer.

It is billed as a tyre designed specifically for track day cars, while at the same time, being road legal to allow sports cars to be driven to and from the circuit.

Lotus, Ariel and Tesla have all already adopted it as original equipment on their ranges of sports cars.

David Seward, managing director of Yokohama, said: “We are delighted that we are now able to offer the ADVAN Neova AD08 to discerning UK drivers.

“We feel it is a unique proposition, offering almost racing tyre performance to the road driver while encompassing good levels of comfort and low noise. With the introduction of the AD08, we now have the perfect tyre for every driver of every car across the Yokohama range, from city car to super car.”

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team