The late-November floods that struck Southeast and South Asia have resulted in a major disaster, with the death toll exceeding 1,300. Amid the widespread damage, Japan Rubber Weekly surveyed Japanese rubber-related companies operating in the region. While some firms were temporarily forced to adjust production, most have since returned to normal operations, and overall damage appears to have been limited....
Mitsubishi Chemical Corp., a developer and manufacturer of performance products and materials, has announced it will set up a regional management company in Singapore to help expand its performance polymer business in the ASEAN region and India. As of April 1, Advanced Plastics Compounds Singapore Pte. Ltd. (APS) – a Singaporean-based consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical – will assume a...
Bando Chemical Industries Ltd.’s (TYO:5195) automotive parts business is enjoying robust sales in Southeast Asia. This comes despite a slight decline in Japanese production due to the transfer of production overseas and the impact of a greater number of vehicles not equipped with belts. The growth has primarily been driven by scooter transmission belt sales in Vietnam and India, as...
Okamoto Industries Inc. (TYO:5122) President Yoshiyuki Okamoto recently granted an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly to describe the company’s plans for the near-future. Okamoto said the company has plans to upgrade and redesign factories over the coming three years. Okamoto Industries will be aggressive in capital spending to streamline operations at plants in Japan, an effort that president Okamoto characterized...
Industrial rubber goods manufacturer Fujikura Rubber Ltd. (TYO:5121) is proactively investing in its existing overseas bases. The company is currently expanding Chinese manufacturing base Anji Fujikura Rubber with a second factory, which will focus on producing diaphragms and other rubber parts for automobiles and motorcycles. Construction is behind schedule due to heavy rain but is set to be complete by...
