FULLERTON, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2000)—Koji Ikawa, previously head of manufacturing operations for Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., has been named president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corp., the Tokyo-based tire maker´s U.S. subsidiary.
The move was announced Nov. 17 by Yasuo Tominaga, president of Yokohama Rubber Co., who had been serving as CEO of the U.S. subsidiary prior to Mr. Ikawa´s appointment. Mr. Tominaga will continue his global responsibilities as president and representative director for the Japanese parent company.
Mr. Ikawa replaces Dan Ogden, who had been president and COO of Yokohama Tire for the past 3.5 years. On Nov. 14, the company announced that he was leaving to devote more time to his family and to Appointment Zone Inc., an e-commerce and planning firm based in his home state of Arizona.
Mr. Ogden had served on Yokohama´s board since 1996. According to the company, for four years he commuted between Fullerton and Arizona before finally deciding to be closer to his family.
During his tenure, the company said, Yokohama "substantially improved its position in the North American tire market, launching a significant number of new products and programs and establishing itself as a leader in technology and ultra-high performance products."
Mr. Ikawa was a member of the team that in 1969 established Yokohama´s presence in the U.S. market. On Dec. 20, he will relocate to Fullerton, where Yokohama Tire Corp.´s headquarters are located.