KOBE, Japan (Feb. 12, 2016) — Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI) has named Richard Smallwood, president and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc., to the additional post of executive officer of Sumitomo Rubber Industries.
The resolution of this appointment will be introduced at the company's board of directors meeting March 30, according to the tire maker.
Mr. Smallwood has headed Sumitomo's North American subsidiary — known as Falken Tire Corp. until year-end 2015 — since April 2011.
Prior to that he was president and chief operating officer of Falken Tire while also serving serves on the board of directors for SRI Tire Trading Ltd.
He joined Falken in January 2000, after working 13 years for Yokohama Tire Corp.
Sumitomo created Sumitomo Rubber North America last fall after the dissolution of the alliance between SRI and Goodyear. The unit is based in Racho Cucamonga, Calif.