Opening Ceremony For Yokohama

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WEST POINT, Miss.(WCBI) — Officials from Yokohama Corporation gathered Monday in West Point on Yokohama Boulevard to celebrate the official mass production startup at the new commercial truck tire manufacturing plant.

“2007, January 29th was a bleak day for West Point, Clay County. Thats the day Sara Lee shut down,” said Raj Shaunak, East Mississippi Community College.”

And now with the launching of an official mass production startup, there is the dawning of a new day, bright with great economic potential people in the area have been waiting for.

“What a great day to celebrate. And the partnership between all the entities government and private in the golden triangle. If we work together these are the fruits we can have,” said Raj Shaunak.

“Its only two years we have a plant here. So good relationship with the state and the community of West Point and the Golden Triangle,” said Tadaharu Yamamoto/President-Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi.

“They are going to make a million tires a year, the water tank holds a million gallons of water. 500 employees that will be here for the first phase hopefully working our way to 2,000 into the future. So its certainly a marriage and if this is the first offspring we are looking for three more,” said Governor Phil Bryant/(R)Mississippi.

Impressed with a competent workforce, the partnership between Yokohama and the people of this area, should keep on rolling forward long into the future.

“A lot of assistance from the state and the community and most important thing, the incredible workforce in Mississippi. Thats a big factor for us,” said Tadaharu Yamamoto.

The gathering at Yokohama Tire included a traditional Japanese ceremony called the Kagami Biraki which symbolizes good fortune and harmony among partners.