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!

Birla Tyre has launched a new brand identity featuring a redesigned logo and corporate website, marking a major step in its transformation journey under new ownership. The company, now backed by a consortium led by Dalmia Bharat Refractories (DBRL) as Resolution Applicant, and strategic partner Himadri Speciality Chemical (HSCL), aims to position itself as a premium, high-performance and future-ready brand.

The company plans to roll out a multi-platform marketing campaign and focus on re-entering key markets, expanding distribution and strengthening its product portfolio.

The refreshed identity reflects Birla Tyre’s renewed focus on speed, innovation and excellence. The new logo includes a custom wordmark symbolising forward motion and a tiger motif – called ‘Tyger’ – representing power, agility and leadership. The blue and orange colour scheme signifies trust and optimism.

Anurag Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical, said, “This rebranding is more than merely a visual transformation; it is a reaffirmation of our dedication to purposeful development and progress.” 

Dr Chandra Narain Maheswari, Whole Time Director & CEO, Dalmia Bharat Refractories, said, “Our new logo encapsulates the essence of Birla Tyre, which is founded on four fundamental pillars: a legacy that motivates boldness, a product line that is prepared for the future, an unwavering commitment to continuous innovation and a oneness with world around us. As this new identity signals Birla Tyre’s readiness to meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry with energy, innovation, and purpose.”

Comments (1)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

• 

  - Kumarswamy CE June 19, 2025 06:52 AM

  That is good news…but what about public shares which were purchased before insolvency?? Will they be reallocated under new brand ?

  Reply

The 2025 Rally of Poland commenced amid an atmosphere of mourning following the tragic death of Italian motorsport driver Matteo Doretto in a racing accident.

The 81st edition of Europe's second-oldest rally competition, taking place across the challenging gravel roads of the Masurian Lakes region from June 13-15, has been overshadowed by the loss of the rising Italian talent.

"His loss is a tragedy that deeply saddens us," said Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. "On behalf of Pirelli, I would like to extend our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Despite the sombre mood, 63 crews took to the start line for what remains one of the European Rally Championship's most demanding events. Notable competitors include Jon Armstrong driving a Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta, alongside Jos Verstappen and Andrea Mabellini, both piloting Skoda Fabias fitted with Pirelli tyres.

The rally features 14 special stages covering 190.40 timed kilometres across terrain known for its technical difficulty. The Masurian Lakes route presents drivers with uneven, often sandy roads where grip proves elusive even for experienced competitors.

"It's a very difficult and high speed rally, where attention to detail is very important," commented Testoni. "With every car passage the terrain gets rougher, forming deep ruts that can challenge even the most experienced drivers."

Weather conditions are forecast to remain dry, though organisers caution that conditions can change rapidly on such challenging terrain.

The rally serves as the third round of this season's ERC Fiesta Rally3 trophy, for which Pirelli provides exclusive tyre supply. Competing crews have access to three variants from Pirelli's Scorpion gravel range: the K4A hard compound, the K6A soft compound designated as the prime choice for this event, and the K8B supersoft option.

Regulations permit each crew to utilise 16 tyres total, including those selected for qualifying sessions. Trophy category vehicles will run on Scorpion 175/70-15 specifications in both K4 hard and K6 soft compounds.

Rally Poland's reputation for difficulty stems from its unique surface characteristics, where the sandy base becomes increasingly rutted as more vehicles traverse each stage. The deteriorating conditions throughout the weekend create an additional strategic element as crews must balance speed with mechanical preservation.

The event's location in the Masurian Lakes region, known for its natural beauty, provides a stark contrast to the intense competition unfolding on its roads. The rally has maintained its position as a crucial championship round despite the technical challenges it presents to both drivers and machinery.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

UK-based tyre safety watchdog TyreSafe has welcomed the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)’s announcement highlighting Britain’s fast lane position for self-driving vehicles.

While the safety watchdog has acknowledged the potential the technology holds for enhancing road safety and reducing collisions, it maintains a caution towards the effectiveness and safety benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – and by extension, fully autonomous vehicles. This it shared are intrinsically linked to the fundamental safety and maintenance of a vehicle’s tyres.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are incredibly optimistic about the future of mobility and the significant strides being made in self-driving technology. Anything that has the potential to save lives and dramatically reduce serious collisions on our roads is something TyreSafe wholeheartedly supports.”

“However, it is crucial to remember that even the most sophisticated ADAS systems rely on optimal vehicle performance, and tyres are the sole point of contact between the vehicle and the road. Without sound tyre safety management – ensuring correct pressure, tread depth, and condition – the integrity and performance of these advanced systems can be severely compromised,” said Lovatt.

He highlighted the persistent issues that is seen among current vehicle owners, when it comes to proper tyre maintenance. 

“For many years, tyres have consistently been identified as the primary cause of MOT failures for vehicles up to seven years old. This underscores a widespread complacency regarding tyre safety that we must collectively address,” he added.

As per the latest statistics, over 35 percent of MOT failures were attributed to previous tyre-related advisories, which translates to 768,410 drivers ignoring warnings and subsequently failed their next MOT due to tyre issues. The trend of vehicles failing MOTs on wheel and tyre-related advisories is unfortunately increasing, indicating a growing disregard for these critical safety components.

“The promise of self-driving vehicles is immense, but their safety cannot be fully realised if the foundational elements are neglected. As we move towards a more autonomous future, the importance of tyres – their condition and correct maintenance – becomes even more paramount. TyreSafe urges all stakeholders, from manufacturers to policymakers and drivers, to recognise that tyre safety is not just an advisory; it is a non-negotiable prerequisite for safe, efficient, and technologically advanced motoring,” concluded Lovatt.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Vaculug has announced the appointment of Darren C. as the company’s Regional Operations Manager for the West, overseeing key areas including Manchester, Birmingham and Wales. Darren brings with him extensive experience, knowledge and skillset and will be a valuable asset to the team, said the company.

Marcus Kirkness, Fleet Operations Manager at Vaculug, said, “These are truly exciting times at Vaculug. We’re incredibly pleased to have Darren join our team. His knowledge of the tyre industry, combined with his experience in managing customer fleets and delivering top-tier customer service, will be instrumental as we continue to expand our customer base. Darren’s expertise ensures we remain agile in addressing challenges and fulfilling our commitments swiftly and effectively."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!