Erik Olsen will step down as president and CEO of TBC Corp. on June 30. He will be replaced by Michelin executive Laurent Bourrut.
"Laurent joined Michelin in 2007 as chief procurement officer and took over the (company's) worldwide OE business in 2011," say TBC officials. "He is a member of the Groupe executive committee in charge of the worldwide road transport and distribution business lines, as well as the European region."
Olsen joined TBC in 2004 as its senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
"After just one year with the organization, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of TBC’s distribution arm at the time, Carroll Tire, as president. In 2008, he was named president and CEO of TBC Wholesale Group. He was appointed COO of TBC Corp. in 2013."
In January 2014, Olsen was promoted to TBC president and CEO.
"Throughout his years with the organization, Erik has led TBC to much success. Under his leadership, TBC experienced rapid growth and expansion; successfully navigated the integration of Carroll Tire and TCi to create NTW, one of the largest tire distributors in the U.S.; was recognized as one of 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in North America; earned the highest customer experience ratings in the company’s history; and strategically expanded the organization’s footprint and service area, all while implementing and capitalizing on strategic initiatives to support the organization’s industry-leading position."
“It has been both my honor and privilege to be a TBC team member for the last 17 years,” says Olsen.
In related news, Sam Kato, "currently executive officer and general manager of the Automobility Division in charge of global mobility businesses, including tire businesses," at Sumitomo Corporation of Americas' headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, "will lead the organization as chief administrative officer," say TBC officials.
"In this newly created role, Sam will work alongside team members focused on legal and compliance, human resources, IT, digital, corporate strategy and communications to support the efforts of the organization’s focus on an industry-leading shared services model.
"Sam is a senior executive with 35 years of experience in various automotive fields, including national marketing and distribution at Mazda North America and CEO of a 100% automotive-dedicated consulting firm, both of which were joint ventures with two or more shareholders.
"Sam served as a director of the board of TBC Corp. from 2015 until 2018, when he was based in New York, leading Sumitomo’s transportation businesses in North and South America. He also played a leading role in the evolution of TBC to 50/50 joint venture with Michelin."
“TBC is poised for dramatic growth and much of that is a credit to the management team’s leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision,” notes Bourrut.
“Sam and I are very much looking forward to having the opportunity to build upon the solid foundation that has led TBC to much success throughout the company’s 65-year history, during a pivotal time in the organization’s history.”
