Thomas stepping up as SRNA CEO, Smallwood retiring

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Sumitomo Rubber North America (SRNA) soon will have a new leader.

The company has named Darren Thomas, a 26-year company veteran and senior vice president and chief operating officer of the company since late 2020, president and CEO, succeeding industry veteran Richard Smallwood, who has announced his retirement.

Rancho Cucamonga-based SRNA is a subsidiary of Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI). It oversees production, sales and distribution of Sumitomo's Falken-brand consumer and commercial tires and Dunlop-brand motorcycle tires.

The change will become official on Jan. 1.

Smallwood has been SRNA's president and CEO since 2016, when that entity took over most of Falken Tire Corp.'s activities in North America. He joined Falken in 2000 as vice president of sales and marketing and was promoted to president of Falken in 2006.

Prior to that he worked for Yokohama Tire Corp.

He also is an executive officer for Kobe, Japan-based SRI, as well being on the board of directors for Sumitomo Rubber USA.

Upon retirement, Smallwood will become chairman of the board for SRNA, an adviser for SRI and will retain his position on SRUSA's board of directors.

During his tenure, Smallwood has overseen the expansion of the brand from its small presence in North America to one with a thriving U.S. factory (located in Tonawando, N.Y.) and several racing championships, including in Formula Drift and in other motorsports, from off-road to IMSA.

North America represents over 21 percent of SRI's global sales, according to the company's latest financial report.

Among Smallwood's accomplishments, according to SRNA, are:

• Expansion of its original equipment presence;
• Repositioned the firm's "sister: Ohtsu brand;
• Boosted the Dunlop motorcycle brand;
• Built a new corporate headquarters near Los Angeles; and
• Added training and customer service programs for Falken retail dealers through the Falken Academy.

SRI announced earlier this year that it plans to invest $122 million over three years to more than double capacity for car, light truck and medium truck tires at its factory in Tonawanda, in an effort to support sales growth for these products in North America.

Earlier this year, Smallwood was one of only a few high-profile figures who testified before the International Trade Commission in that body's hearings on whether to impose anti-dumping and/or countervailing import duties on passenger and light truck tire imports from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

SRNA relies on SRI's factory in Thailand for a share of the tires it sells in the U.S. The ITC voted later to impose duties on South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

"Our company is filled with extremely talented and dedicated people all working together to build our business and provide our customers with quality tires that give them lasting experiences," Smallwood said. "It has been such an incredible honor to work here."

Since 1995, Thomas has worked with Smallwood. He joined Falken in 2001, where he held several sales and marketing roles at SRNA before becoming the COO. SRNA said Thomas is "highly regarded for his aggressive and analytical style."

"Every day has been different—busy, for sure—and we have collectively achieved so many results," Smallwood said.

"I'm proud of what's been accomplished during my time here and I know that SRNA is in great hands with Darren taking over, as he's been a big part of the company's tremendous growth and expansion as well."

Smallwood, car and motorcycle enthusiast, also will spend time pursuing his many hobbies in his workshop and outdoors.