Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd will appoint the first American to a corporate officer position at the company on April 1.
James Hawk, who also will be promoted to president and plant manager of Toyo Tire North American Manufacturing Inc., will become the first non-Japanese corporate officer in Toyo's 62-year history.
Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. is the company’s United States passenger car and light truck tire manufacturing plant, located in White, Ga.
A 35-year veteran of the tire manufacturing business, Mr. Hawk has served as senior vice president of operations and plant manager of Toyo Tire North American Manufacturing since December 2004.
"Under Mr. Hawk’s guidance, production (of the Georgia plant) began in January 2006, and by 2007 the manufacturing plant exceeded production goals," say Toyo officials.
An expansion project at the factory is underway, add Toyo officials.
