Shozo (Carlos) Kibata has been named president of Toyo North America. Kibata also will remain as president of Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. Named as executive vice-president of Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. is Masaharu Yoshimoto.
Kibata has more than 34 years of experience with the Toyo Group, the last five-and-a-half as president of Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp.
Beginning in July, he will be stationed in Georgia, overseeing the construction and operation of the Toyo Group’s new 1,100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Bartow County, Ga. The first phase of the new facility will produce two million tires annually for the North American passenger car and light truck market.
Yoshimoto joined the Toyo Group in April 1972. He worked in Georgia between 1974 and 1981 and served as president and CEO of Toyo Tyre & Rubber Australia Ltd. from June 2001 until his current appointment.
During 2005, the Toyo Group celebrates its 60th anniversary in business.
