Toyo Tires appoints Ralf Gutena to drive growth in Europe

As of 1 July, Ralf Gutena is the new director of sales and marketing at Toyo Tire Holdings of Europe GmbH. Switching to Toyo from Kumho Tire Europe, Gutena is based in Germany and responsible for increasing Toyo Tire’s market penetration in Europe.

The new director of sales and marketing will achieve this task by working closely with Toyo’s European sales and marketing teams. The company is confident that Gutena’s expertise in market development, customer relations and sales strategies will help to “further strengthen Toyo Tire’s position as one of the leading suppliers of tyres in Europe.”

“Toyo Tire is a respected and valued market player with an impressive product range and a strong commitment to innovation and quality,” says Ralf Gutena. “I am excited to be a part of this dynamic company and look forward to using my experience and skills to further drive Toyo Tire’s growth in Europe.”

“We are convinced that Ralf’s extensive experience, wealth of knowledge and in-depth expertise will significantly drive the future development of Toyo Tire in Europe,” states Kenta Kuribayashi, president Toyo Tire Holdings of Europe GmbH. “His commitment and understanding of market requirements make him the ideal person for this newly created position.”

Decades of experience

With over 23 years of experience in the tyre business and a broad range of experience in industry and trade, Toyo Tire Holdings of Europe GmbH considers Ralf Gutena a “great addition” to its leadership team. Prior to his almost three year-tenure as director business development & sales Europe at Kumho, Gutena spent 18 months as Giti Tire Europe’s director sales & marketing for the DACH region.

Further back, he served as managing director of TA Tyre Alliance until the wholesaler group’s dissolution in 2019 and held positions of responsibility at Apollo Tyres and, earlier still, Michelin. “His extensive knowledge of markets and successful sales and marketing strategies have earned him recognition in the industry,” comments Toyo.

The tyre maker concludes that “with Ralf Gutena as the new director of sales and marketing, Toyo Tire Holdings of Europe GmbH is ideally positioned to further drive its growth in Europe and consolidate its position as one of the leading suppliers of tyres worldwide.”

From its headquarters in Willich, Germany the 2005-established entity Toyo Tire Europe GmbH manages all of Toyo Tires’ business activities for Europe.