Maxxis lures Wally Chen out of retirement

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Former Maxxis International President Wally Chen has agreed to come out retirement and become chairman of the company.

Prior to retiring in 2016, Chen spent 42 years with Maxxis—a.k.a. Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd.—including 24 years, from 1992 through 2016, as president.

He will assume the chairmanship effective immediately following a vote by the company's board of directors at a recent meeting. The company said his return is considered a move to strengthen Maxxis' global market presence.

During his tenure as president, Maxxis grew steadily from a primarily Asian-based, second-tier company to the No. 9 global tire maker. At the time of his retirement, Maxxis had fiscal revenue of $3.9 billion and sales companies throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas, including Maxxis International–USA in Suwanee, Ga.

The return of experienced senior management combined with the energy and creativity of newer staff are expected to help strengthen the company's leadership for the benefit of all its stakeholders, including employees, customers and ultimately, the consumers around the world who use Maxxis' products.

"I want Maxxis to be a positive force in the world by offering safe, sustainably manufactured, high-quality tires to consumers who know that they can count on us for 100 percent quality, 100 percent service and 100 percent trust," Chen said.

"Together, we will strive to make Maxxis an even better company and our world a better place."

Maxxis did not elaborate on the reasons for his agreeing to come out retirement or comment on how his return affects its current executive structure.

Chen is the son-in-law of Cheng Shin Rubber Founder Luo Jye.