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Yokohama Rubber will celebrate its 100th anniversary since foundation in 2017. Over this period of 100 years, we have overcome various difficulties and worked as a company to develop products ahead of the world.
We will introduce the values Yokohama Rubber has continued to provide to society along with our environmental and CSR activities.
1917 to 2017 100 Year History
- 1917-1937 Foundation to prewar growth period
- 1938-1950s From military demand, expansion, and defeat to reconstruction
- 1960s-1970s High growth period
- 1980s-1990s From the bubble economy to a period of low economic growth
- 2000s Evolution of CSR management
- 2010s Further progress of globalization and expansion of social activities
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1917 to 1937
Foundation to prewar growth periodEstablished with aspirations of producing some of the finest products in the world
Operating based on a founding spirit that values economic efficiency and social qualities.
Developments at Yokohama Rubber | Representative products | |
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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. was established on October 13 as a joint venture between the BF Goodrich Company and Yokohama Electric Cable Manufacturing Company. Has the ambition to produce the best rubber products in the world using the advanced technology of the US. | 1917 | |
Started tire production | 1920 | |
1921 | Independent development and utility model registration of a cut-edge flat belt Developed Japan’s first corded tire, the “Hama Town Cord” Extended the life of tires by three times |
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Hiranuma Plant was completely destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake Worked to rebuild the plant while importing and selling tires from the BF Goodrich Company. |
1923 | |
Started operations of the Yokohama Plant completed in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama The speech at that time by President Suekichi Nakagawa adopted as the founding spirit. Founding spirit (summary)
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1929 | Started domestic production of V-belt Revolutionized the V-belt industry with high-speed operation, long life, and excellent acoustics |
1937 | Launched a Y-shaped tire that adopts a new tire cord Improved durability, etc. |
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1938-1950s
From military demand, expansion, and defeat to reconstructionBusiness driven by military demand/overseas production and reconstruction from postwar
Promptly developed environmentally friendly products while resuming business following hardships.
Developments at Yokohama Rubber | Representative products | |
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Established production sites in Asian countries | 1938 to 1944 | |
1940 | Started sales of recycled rubber | |
Opening of Mie Plant | 1944 | |
Yokohama Plant rendered inoperative by Allied air raids Lost all the business sites in Japan and overseas |
1945 (end of war) | |
Got a fresh start based on a dauntless spirit Started operations at Mishima Plant |
1946 | |
Started operations at Hiratsuka Plant | 1951 | |
1952 | Launched Japan’s first cord conveyor belts | |
1954 | Launched the “Y-29”, Japan’s first snow tire | |
1958 | Launched HAMATITE® sealant made from a rubber and resin compound Aimed for the domestic production of construction sealant, which passed stringent durability testing and has been used in many high-rise buildings. Developed a pneumatic fender as the Company’s first environmental contribution product Previously, whales had been used as cushioning material for whaling ships coming alongside the pier, which were substituted by this fender. |
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1960s to 1970s
High growth periodTaking on our social responsibility as quickly as possible
As pollution had become a social issue and in anticipation of the times, we indicated a stance of consideration for not only our own company, but also the supply chain and the local community.
Developments at Yokohama Rubber | Representative products | |
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Renamed to The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. | 1963 | |
1964 | Japan’s first spiral high pressure hose released Supports the adoption of hydraulics for industry machinery. |
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1965 | Manufacturing and sales of the first jet aircraft tires in Japan | |
1967 | Launched sales of “G.T. Special” and “G.T. Special XX”, radial tires for passenger cars Radial tires with doubled durability of bias tires up until now became mainstream. |
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Pollution Prevention Committee established Became the Environmental Improvement Department the following year. |
1970 | |
1971 | Launched sales of “G.T. Special Steel”, Japan’s first steel radial tubeless tire for passenger cars | |
Established Tokyo Retread Co., Ltd. and started a retreading business | 1972 | |
Formulated a new management philosophy Aim to put an emphasis on corporate social responsibility. Around this time, we indicated that we would not generate pollution even at the stages of subcontractors, raw materials suppliers, and customers. |
1973 | |
Started operations at Onomichi Plant Equipped with a full factory wastewater closed system. |
1974 | |
1976 | Started development of fuel-efficient tires for North America | |
Occurrence of some defects in car steel radial tires and subsequent announcement Started withdrawal and replacement measures. Made prompt response efforts including inspections. Planned and executed recurrence prevention measures. |
1977 | |
1978 | Launched sales of “ADVAN HF” for passenger cars |
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1980s-1990s
From the bubble economy to a period of low economic growthPioneering environmental support
Launched sales of the “DNA” series as the first eco-tires in Japan, staying ahead of the global low fuel consumption trend
Developments at Yokohama Rubber | Representative products | |
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1980 | Launched sales of “ASPEC AX-323”, a Kevlar radial tire for passenger cars | |
Entered the PRGR (ProGear) golf business | 1983 | Launched sales of golf balls |
1988 | Launched sales of low-permeability air hose with one-tenth the alternative freon R134a permeability of traditional products | |
1990 | Launched sales of “SY101”, a studless tire for trucks and buses | |
1991 | Launched sales of “Flex Line”, a cylindrical conveyor belt that prevent scattering of the transported object | |
Formulated the corporate philosophy Mie Plant completes a tire incineration boiler using waste heat in consideration of the environment |
1992 | |
Formulated environmental protection action plan | 1993 | |
Established production and sales subsidiaries in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam | 1996 to 1997 | |
1998 | Launched sales of “ES-01” and “ES-02” as first offerings of new fuel-efficient “DNA” series of passenger car tires in Japan The rolling resistance used for indicating fuel economy at this time is regarded as a benchmark for tire fuel economy now. |
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Acquired ISO 14001 for all plants in Japan | 1999 |
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2000s
Evolution of CSR managementBecoming a company having world-class strengths in technologies for protecting the environment.
We have implemented various initiatives as a company having world-class strengths in technologies for protecting the environment based on GD100 and the Environmental GD100.
Developments at Yokohama Rubber | Representative products | |
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2000 | Began sales of prepreg for aircraft structures Achieved a significant reduction in weight compared to conventional metal structure materials and contributed to improved fuel economy. |
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Started a zero emissions campaign Aim to stop producing industrial wastes for landfills by end of fiscal 2005 |
2001 | Launched sales of “ECU-193” wood-based flooring material elastic adhesive as a sick house countermeasure |
Established production and sales subsidiaries in China and Thailand | 2001 to 2004 | |
2002 | Launched sales of “iceGUARD iG10” studless tires for passenger vehicles | |
Completed construction of Shinshiro-Minami Plant in Aichi Prefecture | 2003 | ISO certification acquired for Yokohama Rubber’s pneumatic fenders Launched sales of “Ecotex”, an energy efficient conveyor belt |
Established a tire sales company in Russia, Yokohama Russia L.L.C | 2005 | ADVAN become a global flagship brand Launched worldwide sales of “ADVAN Sport V103” Launched sales of the “AIR Watch” tire pressure monitoring system for passenger cars |
Announced new medium-range management plan, Grand Design 100 (GD 100) At the same time, set out on a policy of being a company having world-class strengths in technologies for protecting the environment Established production and sales subsidiaries in China (Shandong, Suzhou) |
2006 | |
Started the YOKOHAMA Forever Forest tree-planting project We create forests in consideration of biodiversity at offices in various locations. Established a local subsidiary in India, Yokohama India Pvt. Ltd. |
2007 | Launched sales of “ZEN 102ZE”, a fuel-efficient, low maintenance tire for trucks and buses |
Established a Corporate Social Responsibility Division Released the CSR Management Vision of “To build a trusted identity as a contributing member of the global community.” |
2008 | |
2009 | Launched sales of “Y-coat”, a coating material used in household appliances and electronic devices Contributed to improved durability for information home electronic products such as mobile phones. |
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Formulated Guidelines on Biodiversity | 2010 | Launched sales of “BluEarth AE-01”, a fuel-efficient tire for passenger cars, as the first offering in the “BluEarth” series |
2010s
Further progress of globalization and expansion of social activities
In preparation for the next generation of society
Evolution of social activities aimed at the next 100 years
Developments at Yokohama Rubber | Representative products | |
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Established Yokohama Peer Support Co., Ltd., as a company promoting employment of disabled individuals Started environmental protection project in the Laojunshan Preservation Area in China |
2011 | |
Received integrated ISO 14001 certification (China) Signed the United Nations Global Compact |
2012 | Launched sales of “Duotex”, a long-life conveyor belt composed of recycled materials |
Introduced a regional comprehensive work position system, and abolished general position system | 2014 | |
Held social contribution activities awards for business partners Awards were based on the result of self-diagnosis and questionnaires previously conducted with business partners |
2015 | Launched sales of the “AC6B 11” air conditioning hose, the first in the world to support next-generation refrigerant |
Acquired Alliance Tire Group B.V. Certified for top-ranking A List in the CDP Climate Change Report 2016 |
2016 | Launched sales of the “ibar HG82” hose for high-pressure hydrogen gas |
Acquired Aichi Tire Industry Co., Ltd. Achieved the goal of planting 500,000 trees in the YOKOHAMA Forever Forest Project |
2017 | Expected to achieve goal of 100% environmentally-friendly products |