Yokohama earnings rise in six months to September

Tokyo -- The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., posted a 10.7 percent increase in operating income, to 4786 million yen (Euro 34.5 million), in thesix months ended September 30. The company posted a 6.1 percent increase in net sales, to 201 300 million yen (Euro 1453 million). Growth in unit sales of tyres and progress in reducing costs more than offset increases in raw-material costs, said the company.

Leading the sales growth were gains in Yokohama's tyre operations in North America and in Europe. The company also registered growth in sales of tyres in Japan.

Yokohama's tyre sales increased seven percent, to ¥145 669 million, while sales in other areas increased only slightly, to ¥55 591 million.

The company still generates most of its sales in Japan, which generated 76 percent of revenues, with North America producing 19 percent of sales and other regions the remaining 5 percent.