CORONA, Calif. (March 22, 2013) — After spending nearly 25 years in various executive positions for Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC), Dan King, senior vice president of sales and marketing, is leaving the tire maker to join West Coast wholesaler Tire's Warehouse Inc. (TWI)
He will join Corona-based TWI April 8, three days after his last day at YTC, for the newly created post of president. Mr. King told Tire Business he was given a "tremendous opportunity" to join "one of the most dominant" distributors in California, with the goal of helping take it to a higher level.
TWI has been in business more than 30 years, he said, and has "grown into one of the best wholesalers on the West Coast. I'm joining a great team at a company with a great reputation."
At TWI he will become part of an executive triumvirate headed by brothers Eric and Larry Helmle, who own the company. Eric Helmle will assume the post of chairman of the board and Larry will become TWI's CEO, Mr. King said, noting with his hiring the company decided to initiate a new structure and make some changes. Previously, the Helmle's had shared running the operation without anyone in the post of president.
Mr. King has held a number of titles during his long stint at Yokohama, including vice president, director of consumer tires and director of marketing.
Becoming part of a tire dealership brings him somewhat full circle in the tire industry. Mr. King grew up changing tires at a California tire store owned by his father, and his brothers own a dealership in Orange County, Calif.
He had nothing but praise for Yokohama, and said TWI has a "strong supplier relationship" with the tire maker that will continue after Mr. King joins the distributor. TWI also handles most major brands, including Bridgestone, Firestone, Hankook and some Chinese brands, he added.
Corona-based TWI operates five wareshouses in California.