Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC (YTMV)

Business activities

Production of tires for passenger cars and light trucks

Total site area

243,000m2

Number of employees

662 (as of January 1, 2022)

Location

1500 Indiana Street, Salem, VA 24153

Contact for consultation and complaints

Tel: +1-800-433-9851 (Toll free number, available only in the United States)
Director, EHS. Neil Dalton
e-mail: Neil.Dalton@yokohamatire.com

Message from the President

Tetsuro Murakami

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia (YTMV) continues to build CSR foundations that can win people’s trust, aiming to proactively make a positive contribution not only to the local community, but globally as well.

To that end, following the standards prescribed in ISO 14001:2015, and in line with the CSR policy that forms a key aspect of Yokohama Rubber’s basic philosophy, YTMV are implementing ongoing improvement in order to maintain its position as an important production facility within the North American region. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all the people who work in or live near our plant as well as safeguarding their environment.

This company is focused on being a sustainable business, and we are promoting measures to reduce our energy consumption, to minimize the amount of any waste that we generate, and ensure our full compliance with all municipal, state and federal regulations.

We aim to achieve harmony between our operations and the environment, and to contribute to the building of a sustainable society. We think implementing both of these represents our goal and our responsibility.

In the future, while working to safeguard the environment and natural resources in line with Yokohama Rubber’s basic philosophy, we will also be working to put in place the sustainable foundations needed to support the growth of our business and its products.

Organizational Governance

Policies for fiscal 2021

For fiscal 2021, the slogan of our action plan is “Follow Up Frequently – Take Action with Speed – Thorough Root Cause Analysis”.
We shall continue to place an emphasis on communication and teamwork, and conduct initiatives that are aimed at achieving targets as has been the case up until now.
In 2022, we shall focus on strengthening a range of company activities, and place importance on working to minimize any impact on the environment thus both contribute to the protection of the global environment and to promote human happiness.

Human Rights

Computer based learning lessons

All employees receive education and training on the Yokohama Rubber Action Guidelines that stipulate the protection of human rights in order to prevent unethical behavior and harassment.
Computer Based Learning Lessons (CB2L’s) are used to this end.
Lessons are composed of multiple slides that consist of mini quizzes that explain the policy, and a test on the level of understanding is conducted at the end of each session.
All employees are required to pass tests with a score of 80 or higher.
YTMV maintains an “open door” policy with respect to all employees.
Internal complaint handling procedures have been established and made as easy to use as possible; where employees feel that they have been treated unfairly in the workplace, we provide opportunities for them to raise their concerns and have them resolved.
In addition, we have reached agreement with our union regarding employment contracts that are free from discrimination with respect to the issues of race, religion, skin color, gender, age, and nationality, as stipulated in both state and federal law.

Labor Practices

Equal employment opportunity

YTMV is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for people who are interested in working for the company. We implement an equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.
In 2021, the Human Resources Department organized training by interview for all managers and employees regarding employment in accordance with the requirements of employment legislation.
The training addressed issues including the areas to which equal opportunity legislation applies (including race, gender, religious beliefs, age, etc.), as well as physical and mental disability, and the utilization of company provided accommodation, etc. The training was successful in strengthening employees’ understanding of such issues.
We will listen to employees’ views regarding ideas for improving employment interviews, to strengthen the relationship between the company and its employees.

Safety and health

Our Safety Management Department has clarified that protecting the health and safety of employees is its top priority again for fiscal 2021, and it conducts its activities based on that priority. That is reflected in active initiatives that include weekly risk assessments, meetings with department administrators, and many audit programs.

In addition to the types of education and training mentioned, concerning both YTMV’s business units and all the various processes in which they engage, we are always promoting improvements with respect to our equipment and facilities, all of which have been equipped with protective and safety devices. Concerning the personal protective equipment that is issued to all employees, it is always kept in a ready state so that it can be used immediately. Additionally, both its wearing and usage is actively promoted and managed. Whereby accidents occur, thorough investigations are conducted, and various forms of response are suggested and then executed, with subsequent follow-ups also undertaken.
More than anything else, it is important to us that our employees are able to return home safely after completing their work.

Emergency response

Emergency response vehicles are available 24 hours a day in order to respond to various medical emergencies that may occur in the workplace. The company has also organized a highly-skilled emergency rescue team with 24 team members, who have received training in order to be able to respond to a variety of situations including rescues from narrow spaces and heights. We conduct regular drills for responding to fires and emergencies as part of raising awareness among all employees.

Rescue Squad

Fire drills

The Environment

Recycling of waste

YTMV has established methods of recycling throughout the facility to capture paper, aluminum cans, bottles and cardboard in common areas. In 2021, YTMV implemented procedural change in Tire Building to promote paper recycling during the change-over process. Now all change over sheets are removed to recycle prior to new sheets added. In 2022, YTMV will continue to monitor the progress of recycling of these materials as well as establish additional recycling methods for materials such as discarded super sacks, label backing, and scrap rubber materials.

YOKOHAMA Forever Forest Project

In 2017, YTMV concluded its onsite Forever Forest Project activities (those taking place within the grounds of the company). In 2021, in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, YTMV donated 1000 Red Pine and Jack Pine trees to the Michigan State Forest lands to provide improved habitat for wildlife including deer, turkey, grouse, and the Kirtland’s warbler. The Pine trees will also help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manage carbon sequestration and storage.

Environmental data

Move the screen to the left or right to see the table information

Category FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021
Waste generated (t) 1,307 1,509 1,616 1,369 1,454
Proportion sent to landfill (%) 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
Landfill waste (t) 0.0 16.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Energy use
(oil equivalent: kl)
Electric power 16,728 16,776 16,549 13,969 16,133
Fuel 8,915 9,109 8,553 6,884 8,208
Total 25,643 25,885 25,102 20,853 24,341
Greenhouse gas emissions (1,000t-CO2) 49.1 49.5 48.0 39.9 58.5
Water usage (1,000m3) 135.8 140.5 137.4 116.7 137.6

Wastewater management

Sampling equipment purchased for voluntary sampling

YTMV thoroughly enforces wastewater management, and continues to comply with wastewater regulatory standards year after year. YTMV monitors wastewater flow daily and conducts regular inspections at wastewater source locations to adequately maintain compliance with the standards. Voluntary sampling is also conducted on a monthly basis.

Biodiversity conservation activities

With the aim of improving our biodiversity activities and making a positive contribution toward the ecosystems and the environment in the vicinity of the plant, our company launched two biodiversity protection projects in 2015. Although the projects were suspended in FY2020, YTMV will restart the implementation of the Bluebird Conservation Activity in 2021.

Bluebird conservation activities

The Virginia Bluebird Society was established in 1996. Its purpose is to provide habitat for bluebirds to raise their young and to limit the decline of the species.
Although monitoring of the bluebird habitat at YTMV was limited in FY2021, the birdhouses continue to provide habitat for multiple species of birds each year.

Observing birdhouses

Observing birdhouses

River water quality monitoring program

YTMV did not participate in the river quality monitoring program in FY2021.

Environmental measures

Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP)

The Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) is a program launched by the Commonwealth of Virginia (the Virginia state government) to encourage facilities located within Virginia to make environmental improvements that go beyond the minimum statutory requirements. In the fourth quarter of 2017, YTMV’s VEEP status was upgraded to E4 (Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise), the highest level that a business enterprise can attain under VEEP. The benefits of having E4 status include an enhanced profile within the local community, reduced handling charges for special permits, and regulatory incentives, etc.
In 2021, YTMV renewed status as an E4 enterprise and continues to perform at the highest level in the VEEP program.

Fair Operating Practices

Chemical substance management

All materials used within the plant are in compliance with Yokohama Rubber’s list of prohibited chemical substances and in line with the Green Procurement Guidelines.
Safety data sheets (SDS) are continuously maintained for each material; and updated using the web system (Sphera/Sitehawk).

Consumer Issues

Customer visits

The company has systems fully in place to welcome visits from customers at any time.

Community Involvement and Development

Community interaction and volunteering activities

Due to pandemic, community interaction and volunteer activities were suspended in 2021.

Regional donations

During fiscal 2021 as well, the company and its employees continued to make donations to local charities and organizations.

United Way

(which supports education, households, healthcare and the environment in the Roanoke region)