Yokohama Rubber informally decided the below-mentioned changes of senior management at the meeting of the board members held on 17 February, 2023. The changes will formally be approved after the general meeting of shareholders to be held on 30 March, 2023.

As of March 30, 2023

Promoted Member of the Board (current position
Shinji Seimiya

Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Chief Technical & productional Officer, in charge of IT & Management System Planning Div.

(Member of the Board and Officer, Chief Technical Officer, in charge of Quality Assurance Div., Head of Tire Development Div).

Newly appointed Members of the Board (current position)
Tomoaki Miyamoto
Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of Japan Replacement Tire Sales & Marketing Div, Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Div, in charge of Corporate Administration Div, Member of the Board of Yokohama Tire Japan Co, Ltd.

(Managing Officer, Head of Japan Replacement Tire Sales & Marketing Div, Member of the Board of Yokohama Tire Japan Co, Ltd).

Yoshikuni Nakamura
Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of Tire Business Planning Div, in charge of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility Div.

(Managing Officer, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, Chairman of Yokohama Asia Co, Ltd.)

Masahiro Yuki
Member of the Board and Officer, Head of Corporate Planning Div., in charge of Quality Assurance Div., Chairman of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co., Ltd.

(Officer, Chairman of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co, Ltd, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, Chairman of Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co, Ltd, Chairman of Suzhou Yokohama Tire Co, Ltd, Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products - Hangzhou Co, Ltd, Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products Sales - Shanghai Co, Ltd, Vice Chairman of Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products Co, Ltd).

Megumi Shimizu
Member of the Board (Outside)

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Junichi Furukawa
Member of the Board (Outside)

Newly appointed Members of the Board and the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee
Gota Matsuo

Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee

(Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Head of Corporate Administration Div, in charge of Corporate Finance & Accounting Dept, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Div, in charge of IT & Management System Planning Div, in charge of PRGR).

Hisao Uchida
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member)

Hirokazu Kono
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)

(Member of the Board (Outside))

Atsushi Kamei
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Hiroki Kimura
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

The members of the Board voted at the meeting of the board members on 31 January, 2023, to shift the company from a company with an audit and supervisory board to a company with an audit and supervisory committee, subject to approval at the general meeting of shareholders on 30 March, 2023.

Change in Member of the Board’s responsibility
Nitin Mantri

Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of OHT Div, CEO of Yokohama Off-Highway Tires K.K, Chairman of Yokohama India, Chairman of Yokohama Tyre Vietnam Inc, in charge of Yokohama Europe GmbH.

(Member of the Board and Managing Officer, Head of OHT Div, CEO of Yokohama Off-Highway Tires K.K, Chairman of Yokohama India).

Retired Members of the Board
Yasuo Nakayama
Advisor, Vice Chairman of Yokohama Rubber (China), Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products - Hangzhou, Chairman of Yokohama Industrial Products Sales - Shanghai, Vice Chairman of Shandong Yokohama Rubber Industrial Products.

(Member of the Board and Officer, Head of MB Div, Head of Hose and Couplings Div)

Toru Nakamura
Officers , President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand).

(Member of the Board and Officer, Head of Tire Production Div).

Nobuo Takenaka
(Member of the Board (Outside))

Retired Audit and Supervisory Board Members (including four individuals newly appointed as Member of the Board or Member of the Board and the Audit and Supervisory Committee)

Osamu Mikami
Advisor
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member)

Hisao Uchida
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member)

Atsushi Kamei
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)

(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Megumi Shimizu
Member of the Board (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Hiroki Kimura
Member of the Board, Member of the Audit ＆ Supervisory Committee (Outside)
(Audit & Supervisory Board Member (Outside))

Promoted Officer

Takehisa Morimoto

Managing Officer, President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, LLC, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC.

(Officer, President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, LLC).

Newly appointed Officers

Anil Gupta

Officer, COO of ATC Tires, Vice Chairman of Yokohama India.

(Associate Officer, COO of ATC Tires, Vice Chairman of Yokohama India)

Tetsuya Nagao
Officer, Head of Tire Production Div.

(Associate Officer, President of Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc)

Takeshi Masatomo
Officer, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Dept, Chairman of Yokohama Asia.

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Div, Head of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Dept).

Shoichiro Matsuda
Officer, Head of Tire Development Div, Head of Tire Designing Dept No 2

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of Tire Development Div, Head of Tire Designing Dept No 2)

Changes in Officers’ responsibility
Shinichi Takimoto

Senior Managing Officer, Chairman and CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Corporation, Chairman of Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Mexico, S de RL de CV.

(Senior Managing Officer, President and CEO of Yokohama Corporation of North America, Chairman of Yokohama Tire Corporation, CEO of Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc, CEO of Yokohama Tire Mexico, S de RL de CV)

Jeff Barna
Senior Managing Officer, President of Yokohama Corporation of North America, President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation

(Senior Managing Officer, President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation)

Shingo Ishimitsu
Officer, Head of HR Dept, President of Yokohama Peer Support, President of Yokohama Rubber.

(Officer, Head of HR Dept, President of Yokohama Peer Support., President of Yokohama Rubber Health Insurance Society, President of Yokohama Rubber).

Promoted Associate Officers

Takashi Shirokawa
Managing Associate Officer, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Div, Head of Hiratsuka Factory

(Associate Officer, Head of Hiratsuka Factory, Head of Materials Technologies Dept).

Tsuneyuki Ishizuka
Managing Associate Officer, Head of Corporate Administration Div, Head of Corporate General Affairs Dept.

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of Corporate Administration Div, Head of Corporate General Affairs Dept).

Masaki Nakamura
Managing Associate Officer, Head of IT & Management System Planning Div, President of Hamagomu Aicom Inc.

(Associate Officer, Head of IT & Management System Planning Div, Head of System Development Dept, President of Hamagomu Aicom Inc).

Newly appointed Associate Officers

Hideki Satowa
Associate Officer, Deputy in charge of MB Production and Engineering, Head of MB Production and Engineering Planning Dept.

(Assistant in charge of MB Production and Engineering Planning, Head of MB Production and Engineering Planning Dept).

Motoji Fujita
Associate Officer, Acting Head of Research & Advanced Development Div, Head of Materials Technologies Dept.

(President of Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand)

Hidekazu Onoi
Associate Officer, Head of Tire Materials Development Dept No 2

(Head of Tire Materials Development Dept No 2)

Takayoshi Omae
Associate Officer, Acting Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Div, Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Dept.

(Head of Consumer Tire Product Planning Dept)

Kazuhiro Masuda
Associate Officer, Acting Head of Corporate Administration Div, Head of Legal Dept

(Head of Legal Dept.)

Stan Chandgie
Associate Officer, Vice President of Yokohama Tire Corporation

(Vice President of Yokohama Tire Corporation)

Changes in Associate Officers’ responsibility

Michio Shimizu

Associate Officer, Head of Motorsports Tire Development Dept.

(Associate Officer, Deputy Head of Tire Development Div, Head of Motorsports Tire Development Dept).

Koji Watanabe
Associate Officer, Head of Tire Technical Planning & Administration Dept.

(Associate Officer, Deputy Head of Tire Development Div., Head of Tire Technical Planning & Administration Dept)

Naoki Takeda
Associate Officer, President of Aichi Tire Industry

(Associate Officer, Head of Internal Audit Dept)

Takayuki Hamaya
Associate Officer, Head of MB Div, Head of Industrial Products Div

(Associate Officer, Head of Industrial Products Div)

Shigemichi Mori
Associate Officer, Acting Head of MB Div, Head of Hose and Couplings Div, Head of MB Planning Dept.

(Associate Officer, Acting Head of MB Div, Head of MB Planning Dept)

Ming Fan
Associate Officer, Assistant to President, President of Yokohama Rubber (China) Co, Ltd., Chairman and President of Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, Chairman of Hangzhou Yokohama Tire, Chairman of Suzhou Yokohama Tire.

(Associate Officer, Assistant to President, President of Yokohama Rubber (China), President of Yokohama Tire Sales (Shanghai).

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.

Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.

Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.

The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.

“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.

“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”

The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.

Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”

The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.

ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.

In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.

Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.

Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”

“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

In a significant leadership update, LD Carbon (LDC) has announced a restructuring of the chief executive office at the company. The company confirmed that Seong-Moon Baek will now serve as the sole CEO. This move follows the departure of former co-CEO Yong-Kyung Hwang from the executive position.

The change is effective immediately as the company continues to advance its initiatives in the sustainable materials sector. Chief Commercial Officer Bumseek Kim (BK) formally communicated the development in a statement, saying, “Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!