(From left) Ken Cole, Shawn Blythe, Bill Carroll and Steven Shearer.

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced the promotion of four veteran sales management team members to director-level positions, effective 1 March 2026. Ken Cole, Shawn Blythe, Bill Carroll and Steven Shearer each assume expanded responsibilities across distinct areas: Cole steps into commercial accounts sales, Blythe takes on strategic accounts distribution, Carroll now oversees national retail channel, car channel and motorsports tyres and Shearer moves into sales operations and training. These leadership changes underscore the company’s dedication to cultivating internal talent and adapting to an evolving tire industry landscape.

Ken Cole, who joined Toyo in 2017 as Senior Manager for Truck Sales in the eastern region, brings over 25 years of industry experience to his new post as Director of Sales for Commercial Accounts. He succeeds Bill Barfield, who retired at the end of 2025. Shawn Blythe, a more than five-year Toyo veteran previously serving as Senior Manager for Strategic National Accounts Distribution, continues in a similar vein as Director of Strategic Accounts Distribution, focusing on driving success alongside company partners.

Bill Carroll’s new role as Director of National Retail Channel, Car Channel and Motorsports Tyres follows a tenure marked by progressive leadership, including positions as District Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager and Senior Manager for Strategic Retail Accounts. Meanwhile, Steven Shearer, a Toyo team member since 2012 who most recently served as Senior Manager of Marketing Communications, transitions to Director of Sales Operations and Training. In this capacity, he replaces Anne Holland, who is set to retire at the end of March.

Mike Snyder, Vice President – Sales, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., said, “Ken, Shawn, Bill and Steve have shown strong leadership as senior managers of their respective teams and have been integral in the success of Toyo over the years. Their promotions are well deserved and have enabled Toyo to solidify the mid-level management team that carries the organisation into the future. I’m confident that their leadership will ensure the company’s continued growth over the coming years.”

Cole said, “I am honoured for the opportunity and look forward to helping lead Toyo’s continued growth in the commercial tire business. We have a great sales team, and we will continue to focus on delivering high-quality commercial tyres through the best servicing dealers in the industry.”

Blythe said, “Toyo’s success has been built on strong partnerships with our customers, our dealers and our talented team at Toyo. I look forward to continuing to grow those relationships and deliver results and the reliability that our customers trust every day.”

Carroll said, “I will continue to bring my passion forward in my new director role and expand Toyo’s presence in the market. Toyo makes a fantastic product, and I am passionate about supporting our dealers, consumers and commercial needs.”

Shearer said, “My goal is to continue advancing sales programmes, tools and communications that improve the ease of doing business and drive success for both Toyo Tires and our customers. I am committed to supporting our dealers, and their success is central to everything we do.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured the second position among BW Businessworld India’s Top 5 Most Sustainable Companies in the Automotive Components sector, marking a significant recognition of the company’s dedication to responsible and future-oriented business operations. The ranking underscores the organisation’s consistent efforts to embed sustainability into its corporate framework, highlighting its progress in aligning industrial performance with long-term environmental and social accountability.

In addition to this sector-specific accolade, Apollo Tyres has been named among BW India’s Top 60 Most Sustainable Companies for the 2024–25 edition, a distinction drawn from a broader evaluation of the country’s top 200 corporations. Further cementing this achievement, the company has also been featured within the Top 30 most sustainable organisations among that select cohort. The assessment involved a comprehensive review across a wide range of Environmental, Social and Governance parameters, providing a holistic evaluation of Apollo Tyres’ sustainability initiatives and their measurable long-term impact.

The BW Sustainability World platform continues to serve as a key forum for industry leaders, fostering the exchange of insights, inspiration and actionable strategies aimed at accelerating sustainable transformation across sectors. Apollo Tyres remains steadfast in its commitment to driving meaningful change and contributing to a more sustainable future, building on these recognitions as benchmarks of its ongoing journey.

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Zeon Corporation has announced changes to its leadership structure, following a resolution passed at a board of directors meeting held on 30 March 2026.

The company confirmed the transfer of a representative director and changes to its board of directors, set to take effect on 26 June 2026. Kimiaki Tanaka, currently Representative Director & Chairman, will retire from his role and step down from the board. Following his retirement, he is expected to assume the position of Senior Advisor to the company.

In a separate change to the board, Outside Director Tadanobu Nagumo will retire on the same date. To fill the vacancy, Zeon has nominated Toshiya Imai as a candidate for a new outside director. Imai currently serves as Director & Chairman of Ridgelinez Limited.

The company stated that the changes are being made to refresh its management structure.

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Titan International has elevated Kendra Mann to the role of Director of Aftermarket Sales for the Titan and Goodyear agricultural tyre lines. In this capacity, she becomes a key member of Paul Hawkins’ North American aftermarket leadership team, where she will oversee strategic direction and operational execution within the aftermarket channel. This appointment underscores Titan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its agricultural aftermarket presence as the company continues to focus on growth and dealer alignment across North America.

With over two decades in the tyre industry, Mann brings extensive expertise to her new position, including the last eight years spent at Titan. Her previous roles there ranged from OEM Account Manager to Field Sales Manager overseeing a multi-state territory, where she drove aftermarket expansion. Prior to joining Titan, she spent 15 years at GCR Tires and Service managing commercial tyre operations. In her latest capacity, she will work closely with field sales, product management and dealer networks to ensure seamless coordination across the Titan and Goodyear agricultural portfolios.

Looking ahead, customers can expect a sharper focus on aligning field support with sales and marketing strategies, reinforcing the dealer partnerships that form the backbone of daily service. Through this leadership change, Titan aims to enhance responsiveness and deliver a more cohesive experience across the agricultural aftermarket channel.

Paul Hawkins, SVP of Aftermarket Sales, said, “Kendra has earned this. She understands the business, she understands the customer and she knows how to move the needle for our aftermarket business. This is the right person in the right role at the right time for Titan agriculture.”

Scott Sloan, Global Ag/LSW Product Manager, said, "Kendra has built valuable relationships in the field. She knows how dealers operate and what customers need on the ground. That perspective is going to make a real difference in how we execute across the ag aftermarket."

Kim Boccardi, VP of Marketing, said, "Kendra is the kind of person who makes everyone around her better. She's put in the work, she knows the industry, and watching her step into this role is exactly what you hope to see. Titan is better with her joining our leadership team."

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Linglong Tire has announced a leadership transition, with Zhou Lingkun appointed as President and CEO as of 16 March 2026. Assuming full operational command, his primary objective is to refine the company’s corporate governance structure. Meanwhile, former President Wang Feng, whose family retains controlling shares, continues as Chairman of the board.

A 1974-born graduate of Zhejiang University, Lingkun brings a robust background from global consulting and IT firms, including Arthur Andersen, IBM and Hewlett-Packard. His most recent role was President of the Enterprise Technology and Performance Business Group at Deloitte China, where he also served as a board member.

This strategic appointment separates operational leadership from familial shareholding, positioning Lingkun to steer daily management while leveraging his extensive international expertise to drive organisational efficiency.

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