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.
Michelin Issues Autumn Motorcycle Tyre Guidance As Conditions Shift
- By TT News
- September 21, 2026
Michelin has issued guidance for motorcyclists as autumn brings cooler starts and slicker roads, with the tyre maker urging riders to adapt both their machines and their habits to the shifting season. Sabrina Sabel, a product technician for motorcycle tyres at Michelin and a seasoned racing rider, outlined measures covering pressure checks, compound behaviour, tread design and off-season storage.
Falling temperatures and unpredictable surfaces alter how a bike responds, making the tyre’s rubber blend and groove pattern central to preserving grip and stability. According to Michelin, riders should verify tyre pressures on a regular basis and adhere strictly to the figures supplied by the motorcycle manufacturer, particularly before any extended journey.
Sabrina Sabel, Product Technician for motorcycle tyres at Michelin
Modern touring rubber is generally formulated to deliver dependable grip from the outset, so deliberately warming tyres is unnecessary for most riders in ordinary autumn conditions. Compounds rich in silica help a tyre generate traction quickly when temperatures drop while also aiding performance on wet asphalt. Sabel noted that she rides gently for the opening kilometres, letting the tyres warm evenly through smooth braking and acceleration with the bike held upright, avoiding undue stress on the rubber.
Cold grip refers to a tyre’s capacity to hold the road at lower temperatures, a quality shaped by its compound, which may combine silica with other ingredients to balance traction, longevity and wet-weather ability. Touring tyres typically cover a wide operating range, whereas sport tyres favour higher-temperature performance, meaning riders should consider their fitted rubber and temper their style accordingly on chilly days.
Wet conditions make tread design vital for keeping rubber in contact with the road. Grooves and channels clear water from the contact patch, so adequate tread depth matters as seasons shift. Michelin’s Road 6 employs Water-Evergrip Technology, whose progressively opening sipes maintain water evacuation as the tyre wears, supporting consistent wet performance. The M+S marking indicates mud and snow suitability, relevant for adventure riders in mountainous regions; the Anakee Adventure 2’s pattern displaces mud and water while aiding braking and cornering feedback. The best choice depends on the bike, riding style, routes and personal preference.
For those storing a motorcycle, tyre care continues after the riding season ends. Michelin advises checking pressures before storage, periodically shifting the bike to prevent prolonged pressure on one section, and keeping tyres in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight, UV light, heat and chemicals such as petrol and solvents. For extended storage, manufacturer guidance on pressures and positioning should always be followed.
ARLANXEO's Changzhou Facility Hits One-Million-Tonne EPDM Milestone
- By TT News
- September 21, 2026
ARLANXEO’s Changzhou EPDM facility in China has reached a cumulative production milestone of surpassing the one-million-tonne mark. The plant began operations in 2015 with a nameplate capacity of 160,000 metric tonnes per year and has steadily enhanced its manufacturing capabilities to serve evolving demand in the automotive, construction, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
The achievement stems from employee dedication and expertise, alongside the trust of customers and partners, and underscores ARLANXEO’s commitment to supplying high-quality Keltan EPDM solutions throughout China, Asia and globally. The company expressed appreciation to all contributors and said it looks forward to building on this foundation to create further value for customers and partners in the years ahead.
Hankook Tire Broadens GCC Reach Through Gulf Cup 2026 Partnership
- By TT News
- September 21, 2026
Hankook Tire has signed on as an official partner of the Gulf Cup 2026, set to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 23 September to 6 October. The company serves as the tournament's exclusive official tyre brand partner, marking an expansion of its Middle East sports involvement from clubs and leagues to a national-team competition.
The 27th edition of the tournament is organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) and features eight national teams from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Yemen. Fifteen matches will take place across two Jeddah venues: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.
During the event, Hankook Tire will promote its unified global brand through media backdrops, LED advertising and giant screens before, during and after matches. The company will also pursue fan engagement via social media initiatives and interactive promotional activities, broadening its brand touchpoints across the GCC region.
Jongwoo Kim, Head of Hankook Tire & Technology's Middle East and Asia Division, said, "Our partnership with the Gulf Cup will provide an opportunity to broaden Hankook Tire's brand touchpoints across the GCC, expanding our sports marketing from club- and league-level partnerships to a tournament featuring national teams. Through sports marketing that resonates with local fans, we aim to strengthen Hankook Tire's brand presence across the Middle East."
Jassim Sultan Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General, Gulf Football Federation, said, "This partnership reflects mutual trust and a shared vision to further develop the Gulf Cup and strengthen its presence among fans and across the media landscape. It also demonstrates the Gulf Football Federation's commitment to attracting leading brands with an influential presence and an established position in the region, contributing to expanding the strategic partnership horizons of the tournament and enhancing its value across various levels.
“We are delighted to welcome Hankook Tire & Technology to the partnership family of 'Khaleeji Al Diyar Al Arabiya 27'. The company represents a globally recognised brand with an international presence and extensive experience in supporting sports and major events. We view this partnership as a valuable addition to the tournament's journey and as a strong contribution to our efforts to deliver an exceptional edition that reflects the stature and rich heritage of the Gulf Cup while further enhancing its broad commercial and fan appeal."
Lion Elastomers Taps Intertex As Exclusive North American Distributor
- By TT News
- September 21, 2026
Lion Elastomers has named Intertex World Resources, Inc. as the sole distributor of its Royalene EPDM, SBR and NBR in North America, effective 15 September 2026. These products are manufactured at Lion's Geismar, Louisiana, and Port Neches, Texas, facilities. Following a thorough distribution analysis, Lion chose Intertex based on the company's decades of rubber sales expertise, enduring customer relationships and coverage spanning United States, Mexico and Canada.
George Panagopoulos, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Lion Elastomers, said, "Intertex knows the rubber market well, and their customers stay with them. Both companies want to win in the marketplace by delivering real value to customers. That is what this partnership is built to do."
Stan Rybalov, President & CEO, Intertex World Resources, Inc., said, “We are excited to partner with Lion Elastomers as the exclusive distributor of Royalene EPDM, SBR and NBR products throughout North America. Lion’s strong portfolio of domestically manufactured rubber products, combined with Intertex’s extensive market knowledge, customer relationships and distribution capabilities, creates a tremendous opportunity to bring additional value to our customers. We look forward to offering a reliable domestic source of EPDM, SBR and NBR, complemented by Intertex’s existing portfolio of carbon black, process oils and other rubber products.
“Our goal has always been to make it easier for our customers to source the materials they need while providing dependable supply, competitive value and exceptional service. This partnership with Lion Elastomers strengthens that commitment and gives our customers access to an even broader range of high-quality rubber products across the US, Mexico and Canada.”
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