FTM Changes Name
FTM Enterprises Inc. officially changed its corporate name to RK EXCEL America, Inc. effective January 1. The move, spurred by RK EXCEL Co. of Japan, is a part of a plan to further develop the wheel brand internationally.
The new company will continue to operate from the same current offices and warehouse, and Frank Miyake will remain as president until December 2010, or until the date he chooses to retire. Miyake also will continue to rely on FTM’s team of Kipp McGowan, sales manager; Farrah Bauer, advertising/marketing manager; Gary Taylor, product/purchasing manager; and Susan Kelly, office/communications manager.
Miyake founded FTM as a manufacturer representative organization in 1977. FTM became the exclusive sales and marketing arm for RK Takasago Chain in 1980 and, in 1986, assumed the same responsibilities for Takasago Excel Rims. In 1989, when their parent company, Nippon Steel, restructured the two Takasago steel companies, the companies merged to become RK EXCEL Co.
The shareholders of the new RK EXCEL America will be led by RK EXCEL Japan and joined by minority shareholders Carat srl of Italy and Mitsuboshi Boeki Ltd. of Japan. Carat is a leading Sales and Distribution company in Europe providing both OEM and aftermarket sales and service for RK EXCEL Japan. Mitsuboshi – part of the Mitsuboshi Belting Group – is a trading company with strong manufacturing and sales channels throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
RK EXCEL America says it plans to continue with the Honeywell Group’s Fram and Autolite products, Ken Sean Mirrors and Napoleon Mirrors.
