Yokohama Rubber has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new consumer/light truck tire plant in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
The event, held on April 15 at the Alianza Industrial Park, was attended by Yokohama company executives including YRC chairman and CEO Masataka Yamaishi, Yokohama Corporation North America (YCNA) CEO Shinichi Takimoto, and Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) president and CEO Jeff Barna.
The groundbreaking ceremony signaled the start of construction for the modern plant, which will be built on a 150-acre site. Construction is expected to begin soon, with production expected to start in early 2027 with a planned annual output of 5 million tires, catering to the growing demand in the North American market.
Also in attendance were state and local officials, including Manolo Jimenez, governor of the state of Coahuila, and Jose Maria Frausto Siller, the mayor of the city of Saltillo.
Barna, who spoke at the event, said that “we stand here today in celebration and recognize the best employees and best customers in the world. Without their collective commitment, resolve and devotion to the Yokohama brand, today would not have been possible.”
Other speakers included Yamaishi, who discussed the importance of the plant at a corporate group level. Barna went on to say, “With the establishment of this factory, we are not only bringing our products closer to our local customers, but also enhancing the quality and accessibility of our offerings.”
