CYPRESS, CA – Jim Hawk, chairman of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, Inc. (“TTHA”) and president of Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. (“TNA”), has been named Rubber Industry Executive of the Year by Rubber Plastics News.  This prestigious award is given to an executive in the North American rubber product industry who has led his or her company to success and helped further the industry.

Hawk was selected for the award by the editorial staff of Rubber Plastics News, considering nominations from both the editorial staff and from those in the industry.

“Jim Hawk personifies the type of leader Rubber Plastics News looks for in honoring its executive of the year,” said David Zielasko, Publisher of Rubber Plastics News.  “He has a long history in the tire and rubber industry and has done an outstanding job in leading Toyo to great success in North America.”

A veteran of the tire industry, Hawk joined TNA as vice president of operations in 2004 and oversaw the construction and opening of the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Bartow County, Georgia.

In 2008, TOYO TIRE RUBBER CO., LTD. of Osaka, Japan, appointed Hawk to serve as a corporate officer of the company.  Hawk became the first non-Japanese corporate officer to serve since the company was founded in 1945.  In addition to the appointment, Hawk was promoted to president and plant manager of TNA.

Under Hawk’s guidance, TNA was named Georgia Manufacturer of the Year by the State of Georgia in 2009.  The facility has also undergone three expansions and is currently 2,000,000 square feet in size while employing 1,000 people.  A recent groundbreaking ceremony paves the way for yet another expansion and hiring project.

In 2012, Jim Hawk was appointed Chairman of TTHA, headquartered in Cypress, California.  Hawk and TTHA president, Tomoshige Mizutani, oversee Toyo Tires’ North America Business Unit (NABU) which includes:  TTHA, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., Toyo Tire Canada Inc., Nitto Tire Canada Inc., Toyo Tire North America OE Sales LLC, and TNA.

The creation of the North America Business Unit and continued expansion of the factory is a reflection of ongoing demand and growth for both Toyo Tires and Nitto products.

“With so many deserving individuals in our industry, it is an honor to be selected as Rubber Industry Executive of the Year,” said Hawk.  “The impressive growth and success of both Toyo Tires and Nitto in North America is thanks to our hard working staff, our state-of-the-art factory, first-class products, and of course our loyal dealers.”

Hawk speaks more to the success of the brands, the ever-growing North American factory, and his experience in the tire industry in the December 16 issue of Rubber Plastics News.

About Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (“TTHA”) is the wholly-owned subsidiary of TOYO TIRE RUBBER CO., LTD. of Osaka, Japan. Headquartered in Cypress, California, TTHA and its group companies manufacture, import, market, sell and distribute Toyo Tires and Nitto brand tires in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

About Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, Inc.

Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, Inc. (“TNA”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.  It is responsible for production of both the Toyo Tires and Nitto tire brands. Both high performance passenger car and light truck tires are produced at the state-of-the-art facility.  Products include Toyo Proxes ST II, Toyo Open Country A/T II, Toyo Open Country M/T, Toyo Proxes 4 Plus, Nitto Grappler, Nitto NT 420S and Nitto NT 555.