Former YTC top man returns as advisor

Norio Karashima, former president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation, is returning to the US-based manufacturing and sales operation as executive advisor. Karashima will commence in this role on 1 April and be based at the company’s headquarters in Fullerton, California.

“Mr. Karashima has a deep understanding of YRC’s (Yokohama Rubber Company) long-term plans, goals and capabilities at the highest level,” said Yokohama Tire Corporation president and CEO Yasushi Tanaka. “Coupled with his extensive knowledge of the market and the dealer network in the US, he is in a unique position to advise our executive management team and make the strategies we have put together that much stronger in steadily growing our sales. We are excited to have him join us as executive advisor and chairman.”

Karashima joined Yokohama Rubber in 1976 and has held several executive positions in his career, including being named president of Yokohama Reifen in Germany in 2002, president of Yokohama Tire Corporation in 2004 and president of Yokohama Rubber (China) in 2008. His most recent title was director and executive vice-president, chief global marketing officer.