On 22nd September, Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it will exhibit important new products at Aircraft Interiors Expo Asia 2006. Yokohama's exhibits at the expo, which will take place from September 27 to 29 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, will highlight the theme Relaxing & Comfortable. They will focus on two innovative new lavatory units. One offers features to enable women to apply makeup more easily than ever. Distinguishing the other new model is a combination of wood-grain finish and sophisticated styling.

Both of Yokohama's new lavatory units are for the Boeing 757 airliner. Boeing ended production of that midsized aircraft in 2005, but numerous 757's remain in service. And demand for products to use in renovating those aircraft is mounting as airlines seek to differentiate their airliners advantageously.

A side-lit mirror in Yokohama's female-oriented lavatory unit provides a clear, well-illuminated image of the passenger's face. The unit also includes a shelf to place makeup pouches and keep them clear of water in and around the sink. A white-and-pink color scheme for the fittings and a marble-like countertop engender a fresh and pristine feel.

Yokohama's other new lavatory unit furnishes a relaxing atmosphere with its wood-grain finish. The countertop has a scratch-resistant embossed surface. Like the other lavatory unit, it sports a side-lit mirror.

The sink in both of the new lavatory units is in the corner to maximize usable space on the countertop. In both units, the ceiling lamps employ energy-saving, long-lasting light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Other exhibits at the Yokohama booth will include galley panels, a food cart, and examples of weight-saving aramid honeycomb developed by Showa Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd., a Yokohama partner in creating aircraft products.

A leading manufacturer of tires, Yokohama has also built a strong position in aircraft components. Underlying its competitiveness in the aircraft sector are strengths in composite materials of rubber, metal, and fiber-reinforced plastic. Yokohama supplies drinking-water tanks for nearly every Boeing model, as well as lavatory modules for the Boeing 757 and the 737, and it is the exclusive supplier of drinking-water tanks and wastewater tanks for the Airbus 380.