CYPRESS, Calif. — Roy Bromfield, the first American to hold the top executive titles at Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. and a 36-year tire industry veteran, is retiring but will stay with Toyo until a successor is named.
Mr. Bromfield, who joined Michelin North America Inc. in the mid-1980s after graduating from West Point and serving for eight years in the U.S. Army, joined Toyo in 2012 as COO. He was promoted to president in 2016 and earned the CEO title in 2017.
As president and CEO of TTC, Mr. Bromfield has been responsible for all product categories of Toyo-branded business in the U.S. replacement market.
"Under Roy's leadership, Toyo sales in the U.S. have grown dramatically, and TTC has become one of our most important global businesses," Takashi Shimizu, president of Toyo Tire Corp., said in 2017.
"The tire industry has provided me with a rewarding career and enabled me to provide for my family in keeping with the American Dream," Mr. Bromfield said. "I am so thankful for the people along the way who have helped me attain success in serving my companies and our employees and customers.
"Toyo Tires has been a great adventure for the past eight years and what a pleasure it has been to get to know beautiful Japan and its unique culture, delightful people … and wonderful food."
North America represents 52% of Toyo's global sales, or nearly $1.6 billion in 2019.
Prior to joining TTC, Mr. Bromfield was CEO of Q Tires Inc. for six and a half years and held various sales and marketing positions at Michelin North America Inc., including vice president of North American marketing and sales, and president and CEO of TCi Tire Centers L.L.C.
Toyo is working with CarterBaldwin Executive Search to identify and present candidates. Mr. Bromfield will lead the search for Toyo Tires, ensuring the right fit and a seamless changeover.
"I am honored to be able to head into retirement on a timetable that I have chosen," Mr. Bromfield said. "I will work closely with executive management to find a successor and to set him or her up for a positive transition. Whoever that is will inherit an elite team, excellent products, a great brand and a successful business model."
