Tokyo, Japan – The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that the company will increase the annual production capacity of Yokohama R.P.Z., a Russian subsidiary for manufacturing and selling tires, from current 1.4 million to 1.6 million tires.
With an investment of 500 million yen, Yokohama Rubber plans to attain the capacity increase within the existing plant of Yokohama R.P.Z. and begin full-fledged production in the autumn of 2014. The number of tires Yokohama Rubber sells in Russia has reached 3 million a year, which is more than twice that of its local production capacity. The decision of this time is aimed at resolving this gap as much as possible and promoting “local production for local consumption”.
Yokohama R.P.Z. was founded in December 2008 for the purpose of manufacturing tires in Russia. Celebrating opening of its new tire plant in May 2012, the company is now manufacturing “C. drive2” passenger car tires and “ice GUARD iG35” stud tires for passenger cars with internal diameters from 13 to 18 inches. While the company is selling these tires in Russia, it also plans to export some products to Europe in the future. The current annual production capacity of 1.4 million is going to be full-fledged production in the summer of 2013 as the company initially scheduled. With the new investment decided this time, the annual production capacity of Yokohama R.P.Z. will be expanded to 1.6 million tires in the autumn of 2014.
Source: Rubber World
