Yokohama Takes Legal Action to Protect Intellectual Property
Yokohama Tire Corp. has initiated legal proceedings against several tire companies, including Hangzhou, Tireco, Cooper, Guizhou and Greenball for infringement of Yokohama tire patents on some of its best-selling brands and its long-standing and prominent ADVAN trademark.
Yokohama Opening New DC in Ohio
Yokohama Tire Corp. will dedicate its new 651,000-square-foot distribution center near Columbus, OH, this week. On hand for the dedication ceremonies will be Norio Karashima, Yokohama’s president and CEO; Shinichi Suzuki, executive vice president of manufacturing and technology; and Jim McMaster, executive vice president of Yokohama’s business division.
Yokohama Announces Price Increases
Effective June 1, Yokohama Tire Corp. will increase prices for its passenger, light truck, medium truck radial and “some” OTR tires by up to 7 percent. A 5-7 percent increase will go into effect for medium truck radial tires, light truck commercial tires, earthmover and mining tires, as well as Mohawk and private brands, according to Yokohama. There will also be in-line adjustments on select sizes and treads, the tiremaker added.
Yokohama Promotes, Assigns Officers to New Posts
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., parent of Yokohama Tire Corp., has made new assignments for directors and corporate officers, all effective April 1. Director and Senior Managing Corporate Officer Keigo Ueda has been named to the additional posts of general manager of Yokohama’s hoses and coupling division and chairman of YH America Inc. He was also named chairman of SAS Rubber Co. and will continue as president of the company’s sports group and general manager of the Hiratsuka factory.
James Mayfield Joins Yokohama as Director of Advan Products
Yokohama Tire Corp. has appointed James Mayfield to the newly created position of director of ADVAN Products. ADVAN is Yokohama’s ultra-high-performance tire line and is the company’s flagship product.
Yokohama Appoints New Marketing Executives
Yokohama Tire Corp. has named Fred Koplin as its director of marketing and Theresa Palang to the post of manager of advertising and public relations. Koplin will report to Jim MacMaster, Yokohama’s executive vice president of the business division, and Palang will report to Koplin.
RMA to Promote Fifth Annual National Tire Safety Week
The fifth annual National Tire Safety Week will be held April 23 – 29, 2006, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). The annual event is an initiative of RMA’s “Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART” program, which is designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition.
Yokohama Tire Teams with Pro-Fit for Children’s Hospital Toy Drive
Helping to spread holiday cheer, Yokohama Tire Corp. has joined with other automotive aftermarket companies to support Pro-Fit Linear Fuel Doors’ toy drive for Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA.
Yokohama Tire Wraps Up Suit on Infringing Wanli Tires
Yokohama Tire Corp. said yesterday it has resolved the last phase of its patent and trade dress infringement suit related to the Wanli S-1099 tires. The Wanli S-1099 infringed upon Yokohama’s trademarks and patents due to its similarity in appearance to Yokohama’s AVS Sport tire.
Yokohama to Increase OTR Tire Prices
Yokohama Tire Corp. will increase OTR tire prices “across the board,” effective Apr. 1, the company announced. The tiremaker’s OTR tire line will increase by 3-8 percent, and additional in-line adjustments will be made, it said. Detailed pricing information will be sent to dealers.