Masuta ends Europe remit – now heading Sumitomo Rubber (China)

Tomohiko Masuta has concluded his tenure as Senior Executive Manager, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Falken Tyre Europe, becoming Chairman and General Manager of Sumitomo Rubber (China) Co. Ltd. as of 1 January 2024. He succeeds Eiichi Masuda in these roles. Masuda concurrently serves as Chairman and General Manager of Sumitomo Rubber (Changshu) and Chairman of Sumitomo Rubber (Hunan).

Confirming Masuta’s departure, Falken Tyre Europe states that he was “an excellent member of the team here and widely valued.” The company has already appointed his successor and will share details about the new appointee in the near future.

Tomohiko Masuta joined Sumitomo Rubber Industries in 1985, first gaining experience in the Product Development department before moving to the Original Equipment business. During the 1990s, he was dispatched to Europe to support the development of the Dunlop brand. In 2015, SRI appointed Masuta General Manager of its OE Tyre Business and subsequently General Manager of the Automotive System Division. In May 2021, SRI announced Masuta’s appointment as Managing Director of both Falken Tyre Europe GmbH and Sumitomo Rubber Europe GmbH.

According to Sumitomo Rubber, this change of leadership in China marks a major strategic change in the course of its corporate development, highlighting the importance the tyre maker attaches to this market.