Toyo announces leadership reshuffle

Osaka, Japan – Toyo Tire & Rubber co. has launched a reshuffle in its management worldwide, promoting Tomoshige “Tomo” Mizutani to chairman and CEO of both Toyo Tire USA Corp. and Nitto Tire USA Inc., effective 1 Jan.

In an announcement on 11 Dec, the Japanese tire-maker said Mizutani will continue as a senior corporate officer for the parent company. The chairman and CEO roles were unfilled prior to this promotion.

Mizutani has been president of Toyo Tire USA since July 2014 and president of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. and general manager of Toyo’s Nitto brand since Sept 2013.

Roy Bromfield, COO of Toyo Tire USA since Dec 2013 will succeed Mizutani as president of Toyo Tire USA, while Iori Suzuki, currently director, senior vice president and general counsel of Toyo Tire USA, will take over as president of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.

Mizutani’s promotion was one of three dozen executive appointments Toyo disclosed 11 Dec.

Others executives promoted at Toyo’s corporate headquarters in Osaka with business unit responsibilities include:

Koichi Ono, named group executive officer, tire business, and deputy general manager, seismic isolation rubber division. He previously was general manager, tire planning division, tire business; general manager, North America business unit/tire business; and general manager, tire R&D division, tire business. He continues as a director and senior corporate officer.

Tamotsu Sakuramoto, senior corporate officer and general manager, replacement tire sales division, tire business, overseeing domestic sales division. He previously was general manager, Japan business unit/tire business group, and chairman of Toyo Tire Japan Co. Ltd.

Masayuki Kanai, corporate office and general manager, tire R&D division, tire business. He previously was deputy general manager, tire R&D division, and general manager, tire planning and administrative department.

Tatsuo Mitsuhata, corporate officer and general manager, tire planning division, tire business, and general manager, tire overseas planning department, as well as chairman, Toyo Tire (Shanghair) Co. Ltd. He previously was general manager, Europe business unit, president Toyo Tire Europe GmbH, Toyo Tire Deutschland GmbH and Toyo Tire Benelux BV.