Falken's Honda retires, successor named

Dec. 29, 2006

Falken Tire Corp. Chairman and CEO Hideo Honda retired on Jan. 1. He has been replaced by Yasushi "Tank" Tanaka, formerly director of Sumitomo Tire Trading Ltd.

Honda joined Falken in 1999 as president and chief operating officer. He was promoted to his current positions one year ago. During his tenure, Falken boosted its sales fourfold, according to company officials.

Honda will return to Japan, where he will serve as an advisor to Sumitomo Rubber for the remainder of 2007.

Tanaka has been with Sumitomo since 1976 and has spent the majority of his career focusing on export and original equipment sales.