CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines (Dec. 6, 2016) — Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. has commissioned an expansion of capacity at its car and light truck tire factory in Clark Freeport Zone, which exports the majority of its output to North America, Europe and other ASEAN countries.
Yokohama budgeted $118 million in 2013 for the expansion at its 20-year-old plant in Clark Freeport Zone, a special economic zone located on the site of a former U.S. Air Force base.
The expanded capacity, to 12.5 million tires a year, makes the Philippine plant Yokohama's second largest worldwide. This latest expansion added capacity for tires up to 20 inches rim diameter, the firm said in 2013.
The 2.75 million-sq.-ft. plant, which inaugurated production in 1998, was the first Yokohama tire plant built outside of Japan. Employment is listed as 2,326.
Yokohama marked the 20th anniversary this week of the founding of the Philippine company with a ceremony at the Quest Hotel in the Clark Freeport Zone. Among those attending the ceremony were Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. Chairman Tadanobu Nagumo; Noel Manankil, president and CEO of Clark Development Corp.; Yokohama Philippine business partners and representatives from local government agencies.
The plant also ships tires to car makers' assembly plants in North America and Asian countries, Yokohama said.