Local officials joined Yokohama executives for the ribbon-cutting festivities for Yokohama’s new tire research facility in Cornelius, North Carolina.

The high- tech, 25,000 sq. ft. building in Mecklenburg County in North Carolina replaces the temporary R&D office Yokohama has utilized in Concord, North Carolina since 2016.

“In 1969, Yokohama entered the U.S. market and since then our name has been associated with quality, technology, and innovation,” said Shinichi Takimoto, President & CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation of North America (YCNA), and chairman & CEO of YTC. “This will continue with YDCA, which represents another major milestone for Yokohama in the U.S.”

“The opening of YDCA is another example of our continued investment in North America,” said Tetsuya Kuze, executive vice president of YCNA.  “We are committed to developing new products for this market across multiple segments.”

“Our primary focus here will be tire development,” said Shoichiro (Sho) Matsuda, YCNA vice president of corporate technical. “We will also support other technical groups such as quality assurance and technical services.”  Thomas Kenny, Director of consumer tire development, Dan Steltmann, Director of commercial tire development, and Jeremy Kahrs, Director of technical service, will all be based out of the company’s new location.

Kuze said the U.S. Development Center is Yokohama’s largest overseas R&D center in both functions and number of employees. “Consolidating our R&D activities will strengthen our R&D structure and further accelerate our ability to deliver new products that meet the demands of the market.”