Yokohama Tire Corporation

After nine years as Chairman and CEO of Yokohama Corporation North America, Mr. Takimoto?will be transitioning back to Yokohama Rubber Company, Japan,?where he will take on the roles of Head of Japan Tire Business Division and Head of OE Tire Sales & Marketing Division. We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Takimoto for his contributions, which have played a pivotal role in YCNA’s success. His leadership, vision, and dedication have elevated our business, and he will always remain a valued member of the Yokohama Family in North America. With this transition comes another exciting announcement. Jeff Barna?will assume the role as President & CEO of Yokohama Corporation North America, providing extended support to Canada and Mexico. Congratulations?to both in their newly appointed roles.

A paws-itively amazing volunteer day! ?? What an incredible afternoon at Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection (RCACP)! Last Friday, 15 of our amazing YTMV employees spent their afternoon giving back—doing dishes, walking dogs, playing with cats, and tackling chores to help keep the shelter running smoothly. While no one officially went home with a new furry friend (yet! ??), a few hearts were definitely stolen along the way. ?? A huge thank you to RCACP for the important work they do for over 6,000 animals every year. We were honored to lend a hand (and a few belly rubs!) to support their mission. Volunteering together made for a rewarding, fun, and impactful day—we can’t wait to do it again! ??

International Women’s Day is a day to recognize all the women in our lives and the many contributions they give every day. This year at Yokohama we are proud to highlight some inspiring women that were nominated by their peers based on their contributions, achievements and leadership. We have asked them several questions and what International Women's Day means to them, please take the time to see what each of these incredible women had to say. Elena Au Padao Cha Alisa Chen Candace Cogan Hoda Mousavi Heidi Nagata Zahra Saadat Nejad Kayla Tardif Patricia Wall

This past Thursday, 12 YTMV volunteers spent the afternoon at Feeding Southwest Virginia, packing Senior Kitting boxes filled with essential food items for older adults facing hunger. In just three hours—alongside other dedicated volunteers—we packed 1,249 boxes to help support food-insecure seniors in our community. Hunger is closer to home than many realize. 1 in 7 people in our region faces food insecurity, but organizations like Feeding Southwest Virginia, with a network of over 400 feeding programs, are making a real difference. Through donations and volunteer efforts, they provide millions of pounds of food to neighbors in need. In fact, 95% of every dollar donated goes directly to feeding programs. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve and be part of a mission that brings nourishment and hope to so many. Thank you to our amazing volunteers and to Feeding Southwest Virginia for all you do!

This Women’s History month, we reflect on the 2025 theme of “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” We feel that chemist, Stephanie Kwolek, and the contributions she’s made to the tire industry fit perfectly into this theme. In the early 1960’s, while working in the DuPont textile lab, Kwolek was exploring methods to strengthen radial tires. Her innovative manipulation of carbon-based molecular strands to create larger polymers led to the invention of Kevlar?. Today, Kevlar is a crucial component in performance tires, used to reinforce both the bead and the circumference. While best known today for its use in bullet-proof vests, Kevlar has also been applied to more than 200 other products. The wide range of transportation-oriented products containing the material have included not only tires but also airplanes, spacecraft, kayaks, canoes, parachute lines, bridge cables, and armored vehicles. This month, Yokohama is celebrating the diverse contributions of women, encouraging everyone to reflect on this year’s theme and work to move forward together and educate and inspire the generations to come.?

On Presidents Day, we remember, celebrate, and honor our fearless leaders. The origin of Presidents Day dates to the 1880s when George Washington's birthday was first celebrated as a federal holiday. Since then, Presidents Day has evolved to honor not only Washington but all our presidents who have contributed to making America what it is today.

Together, We Made a Difference! At Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, we believe in the power of community—and our team proved that once again during this year’s Soup for Seniors food drive! Over two weeks, our employees came together to donate: ? 200+ jars of peanut butter ? 72 boxes of crackers ? Countless cans of fruits, veggies, meats, and pasta These contributions will help the Local Office on Aging reach its goal of collecting 55,000 pounds of food to support 3,000 older adults in need in our community. For many seniors, these bags of non-perishable food provide essential nourishment during the winter months when expenses can be overwhelming. Thank you to every employee who donated—your kindness makes a real difference!?

At Yokohama, we take pride in celebrating Black History Month, honoring the extraordinary achievements of African Americans who have shaped our history. One remarkable individual who has made an impact on the automotive industry is McKinley W. Thompson Jr. Thompson was the first African American to enroll at Los Angeles Art School after winning an automotive design content put on by Motor Trend where he was awarded a four-year scholarship.?He was then hired on at Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling Studio and became Ford’s first African American designer.?Among his projects was a light-duty cab-forward truck, several concept sketches for the soon-to-be Ford Mustang and the legendary Ford GT40. Throughout this month, Yokohama celebrates the diverse contributions of Black Americans, encouraging everyone to honor, learn from, and amplify the voices that have shaped our past and will continue to shape our future.

Racing isn’t just about crossing the finish line; it’s about envisioning the future. We proudly partnered with Kellymoss Inc Racing, Porsche Motorsport North America, and the Girl Scouts of the USA for the Motorsports Mastery program.?This initiative aims to introduce middle and high school girls to the exciting world of motorsports. Through hands-on track experiences and career insights, participants earned their Motorsports Mastery patch and gained a firsthand understanding of what it takes to thrive in the industry. Here’s to inspiring the next generation of trailblazers and breaking barriers in the sport we love! https://lnkd.in/gUsF4zcT

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and wonderful 2025. Cheers to another year of good health and great times from all of us at Yokohama!