Yokohama Rubber to Ramp up Production Capacity at Shinshiro Plant

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that it plans to ramp up its production capacity for high performance tires at the company’s Shinshiro Plant. As an outcome of this expansion, the plant will produce more high-performance tires having diameters of 18 inches and more.

According to the current timeline for the expansion of the plant, work will begin on the construction of the new assembly line in May with production slated to begin by June 2017, with output increasing steadily until full capacity is achieved in April 2018. The total amount to be invested in the expansion of the plant is USD 3.7 billion. After the expansion of the plant is complete, the Shinshiro plant will be able to increase its annual output of high-performance tires of large diameters by 20 percent as compared to the present level.

Using tires of larger diameter not only makes vehicles look more stylish but also lend them a high degree of maneuverability. This is why leading vehicle manufacturers use larger diameter high-performance tires as OE equipment for their SUVs and luxury sports cars. When it comes to the replacement market also, the demand for tires of larger diameter is increasing. Yokohama Rubber has designed and developed a broad range of large sized passenger-car tires targeting both the OE and replacement tires. Demand for these tires is growing rapidly and the segment is highly profitable. This is what prompted Yokohama to invest in expansion of the production capacity for tires of larger sizes.

The Shinshiro Plant has the largest annual production capacity for passenger car tires of any plant in the Yokohama group. As of December 2015, the Shinshiro Plant and the Shinshiro-Minami Plant which is located nearby taken together have a total annual production capacity of 16.9 million tires.