Tokyo—The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., today announced that in November 2002 subsidiary YH America, Inc., secured certification under ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management systems. The standard covers production, logistics, and sales. YH America is the Kentucky-based operation of Yokohama Hydex Company, and manufactures high-pressure hose fittings and assembles hoses. YH America launched its certification drive in September 2001. AQSR International Inc. of the United States approved the certification in August last year.

YH America manufactures and sells fittings for automobiles and general industrial machinery and assembles hoses and fittings. It also makes and markets automotive wind shield sealant and hotmelt adhesives for vehicle lamps. The president is Yoku Okamoto. There were 393 employees as of November 2002.

Yokohama Rubber seeks ISO 14001 certification for all Group companies in Japan and internationally and for parent plants. The Mishima, Mie, Shinshiro, Ibaraki, and Onomichi plants, and the Hiratsuka factory qualified by July 1999. Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. , which manufactures and sells radial tires for passenger cars, was certified in October 2000. August 2001 saw the certification of SC Kingflex Corporation, a Taiwanese affiliate that produces high- and low-pressure hoses. The Hiratsuka and Nagano plants of Yokohama Hydex won certification in October 2001. The qualification of YH America brings the total number of domestic and overseas operations certified under ISO 14001 to 11.