Yokohama Rubber posted record-high business and financial results for the first nine months of fiscal 2024, driven by substantial revenue and profitability growth across its key business segments.
The company reported a 13.1 percent increase in sales revenue from the same period last year, reaching USD 5022 million. Business profit rose 69.6 percent to USD 535 million, operating profit increased 63.8 percent to USD 551 million, and profit attributable to the parent company’s owners climbed 36.5 percent to USD 390 million.
The Group’s business profit margin also reached 10.7 percent, its highest level ever for this time frame.
Yokohama Rubber attributed this robust growth to efforts to expand sales volume, implement product price increases and optimise the product mix. A full-year contribution from Y-TWS and the positive impact of yen depreciation further supported the performance.
Segment Results
Tyre Business: Sales in the tyre segment reached USD 4498 million, a significant increase from USD 3931 million in the same period last year. Business profit for the segment surged to USD 505 million, up from USD 287 million. Growth was driven by higher sales volume, favourable product mix and effective price increases in response to raw material costs.
Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT: YOHT recorded sales of USD 684 million, up from USD 632 million in 2023, while business profit rose to USD 81.45 million, compared to USD 76.3 million the previous year. The segment benefited from strong demand in the agricultural and industrial tyre markets, particularly in overseas markets.
Yokohama Tire & Wheel Solutions (Y-TWS): Sales in Y-TWS totaled USD 737 million, a substantial increase from USD 432 million in 2023. Business profit came in at USD 46.81 million, reversing a loss of USD 7.05 in the prior year. The improvement reflects strong sales of speciality tyres and positive impacts from structural changes and efficiency improvements.
Yokohama Rubber’s CEO emphasised the company’s ongoing focus on strategic growth initiatives, including high-margin products and global market expansion. The results underscore Yokohama Rubber’s resilience and adaptability in a challenging economic environment.
Continental Launches IceContact 8 Studded Tyre For Extreme Nordic Winters
- By TT News
- January 20, 2026
Continental has launched the new IceContact 8 studded tyre for control and safety on ice, snow and slush Designed for severe winter driving, the tyre is aimed at a wide variety of vehicles, including compact cars, SUVs and hybrids, whether electric or conventionally powered, and comes in sizes ranging from 15 to 22 inches. This tyre builds upon the proven legacy of its predecessor, the VikingContact 8, to offer lasting winter performance.
At the core of its design is an innovative twin-stud system. This technology utilises two distinct stud types that work in concert: one is optimised for acceleration and secure braking by biting into the surface, while the other enhances dynamic handling and cornering stability. These studs are strategically distributed across the tread for maximum grip. To bolster durability and performance, the studs are set within larger, deeper tread blocks. This creates a more stable foundation that minimises stud movement and loss, contributing to a longer tyre life. Further enhancing resilience, a specialised chemical bond fuses each stud to the rubber, reducing gaps that could trap debris and compromise the tyre's structure over time.
The tread design itself incorporates an optimised sipe layout for stronger grip and stable handling. A specially formulated compound, featuring a new highly flexible polymer and a softener system, ensures the rubber remains pliable and effective even in extreme cold. This balance of a robust V-shape tread pattern, advanced stud bonding and a cold-adaptive compound guarantees reliable traction and safety throughout the tyre's entire service life. The IceContact 8 is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2026, making it available for the following winter season.
Hankook Tire Releases Commemorative Brand Film For Al-Ittihad FC Sponsorship
- By TT News
- January 20, 2026
Hankook Tire has released a new brand film to mark its official sponsorship of Saudi Arabian football club Al-Ittihad FC. This initiative is designed to bolster the company’s premium status and deepen brand connection within crucial Middle Eastern and African markets, where passion for both football and motorsport is rising rapidly.
The cinematic piece creatively merges intense racing sequences, featuring high-performance cars on Hankook tyres, with actual match footage of Al-Ittihad athletes. This parallel highlights a shared dedication to peak performance, symbolising the solid partnership between the brand and the club. Through the use of striking tyre-tread visuals and immersive driving acoustics, the film reinforces Hankook’s identity as a trusted, high-end partner that champions a winning spirit. The content is being distributed globally via Hankook’s official social media platforms.
This move is part of Hankook’s broader global sports marketing strategy, which includes partnerships with major events like the UEFA Europa League, the Ballon d’Or awards and the TGL simulation golf league. The company’s involvement in premier FIA-sanctioned motorsport events held in Saudi Arabia, such as Formula E and the World Rally Championship, has already significantly raised its profile across the region.
Moving forward, Hankook Tire intends to leverage its alliance with Al-Ittihad to create more avenues for consumer engagement. The objective is to consistently underscore the brand’s world-class technological expertise and reinforce its position as a premium global leader.
BKT Foundation Honoured On Tata Memorial Hospital's Wall Of Giving
- By TT News
- January 20, 2026
The BKT Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Balkrishna Industries Ltd., has been formally recognised on the Wall of Giving at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. This honour acknowledges the foundation’s sustained philanthropic support, which has made a concrete difference in advancing the hospital’s work in cancer treatment and research. The Wall of Giving specifically celebrates donors whose ongoing commitments have created enduring benefits for the institution and, most importantly, for patients and their families.
Guided by its ‘We Care’ motto, the foundation concentrates its efforts on healthcare, education and essential services. Its support for Tata Memorial Hospital has included funding critical palliative care programmes for children and providing advanced medical equipment. These donations, encompassing ultrasound devices, anaesthesia equipment, video bronchoscopy processors and dual-energy CT scanners, have directly strengthened diagnostic and treatment services. This has expanded access to high-quality, affordable cancer care for a broader patient population.
This accolade marks a significant milestone in the BKT Foundation’s wider mission to generate measurable social impact through dedicated and long-term engagement, both within India and internationally.
Sunita Rao, General Manager – Fundraising, Tata Memorial Hospital, said, “BKT’s steadfast commitment and ongoing support over the years have played a pivotal role in extending both our services and institutional capabilities, expanding access for patients in need and enabling several transformational initiatives at the hospital. We are deeply grateful for the company’s trust in the hospital and for the continued support in providing high-level technologies and machinery at the service of the Indian community of people.”
Vijaylaxmi Poddar, President & Chairman, BKT Foundation, said, “This acknowledgment reflects a shared commitment to care, dignity and healing and reinforces the value of sustained partnerships in advancing healthcare for those who need it most. It is truly inspiring to see how our efforts are strengthening cancer care and expanding access for patients in need, and we are honoured for the opportunity to walk this journey.”
THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 Puts Circular Economy Centre Stage
- By TT News
- January 19, 2026
THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 is advancing its position as the foremost global platform for the tyre and wheel industry through a significantly enhanced INNOVATION LAB. This evolution places a deliberate emphasis on the circular economy, reflecting the sector’s shift towards sustainable practices. A key addition is the dedicated ‘Material & Production’ segment, which allows visitors to engage directly with advancements in sustainable raw materials, intelligent manufacturing and closed-loop systems that define modern tire production.
This integrated approach addresses the industry's pressing challenges, including stringent sustainability regulations and the integration of digital technologies. The INNOVATION LAB serves as a dynamic hub for dialogue and demonstration, where companies and research institutions showcase practical innovations across the entire value chain. Attendees can explore everything from artificial intelligence and automation in manufacturing to zero-waste initiatives and advanced recycling methods, making the future of tire production tangible.
Central to this experience is a redesigned Circular Economy Area that visually maps the complete lifecycle of a tyre for the first time. It traces the journey from raw material extraction and resource-efficient production to use, reuse and final recycling. This physical representation is further enriched by a curated stage programme. Hosted by the European Rubber Journal, the Future Tire Forum will facilitate critical discussions on material science, production technologies, quality management and extended producer responsibility.
Collectively, these strategic expansions underpin the long-term vision of THE TIRE COLOGNE. By continuously adapting its offerings, the trade fair consolidates its essential role as the central nexus for innovation and business, guiding the international tire industry towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
Ingo Riedeberger, Director, THE TIRE COLOGNE, said, "The combination of INNOVATION LAB and the expanded Circular Economy Area shows how sustainable processes interlock with one another in the tyre industry. With the new Material & Production segment, we depict the circular economy of the industry holistically for the first time."
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