HYOGO, Japan — Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has made three executive appointments in its U.S. tire subsidiaries related to duties previously held by Jim Hawk, who recently added the titles of chairman and CEO of Toyo Automotive Parts (USA) Inc. to his duties as chairman of Toyo Tire Holdings of America Inc.
The changes, effective Jan. 1., affect Iori Suzuki, president of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (TTHA); Tomoshige "Tomo" Mizutani, chairman of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (TTC), chairman and CEO of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., and senior corporate officer of the parent company; and Donald Bunn, president of Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. (TNA).
Mr. Suzuki is adding the title of CEO of TTHA, succeeding Mr. Hawk, who continues in a non-executive capacity as director and chairman of the board at TTHA.
Mr. Suzuki joined TTHA in 2005 as its senior vice president and general counsel — involved with establishing Toyo's tire plant White, Ga. — and was promoted to president in 2016.
Mr. Mizutani is adding the duties of president and CEO of Toyo Tire North America OE Sales L.L.C. (TNOE), responsible for spearheading sales of OE tires to the auto industry. Mr. Hawk will continue as chairman of the board of TNOE. Mizutani also will continue as chairman of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (TTC), chairman and CEO of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., and senior corporate officer of TTR.
A 30-year tire industry veteran, Mr. Mizutani was instrumental in establishing the Nitto brand in the U.S., Toyo said.
Mr. Bunn is adding the duties of CEO of TTNA to his role as president of that unit, overseeing the White factory. He joined Toyo Tire in 2005 as director of technical services.