As of 1 January 2018, Thomas Higgins will take over as chairman of Bridgestone Europe NV/SA, succeeding Eduardo Minardi in this position. Higgins will also become a senior officer of Bridgestone Corporation and will retain his role as president of Bridgestone Americas’ US & Canada Consumer Tire Sales Division.
At a meeting held in Brussels on 24 November to mark the first anniversary of the European Pact for Youth, Eduardo Minardi, executive chairman of Bridgestone EMEA, reiterated Bridgestone’s support for the programme. Speaking after the meeting, Minardi stated: “At Bridgestone, we are committed to making a continued contribution towards increasing youth training and inclusion in the work force. This includes more than 700 apprenticeships, traineeships and entry level jobs at our sales, retail, R&D and manufacturing sites across Europe under the Pact for Youth.”
At the end of this year, Gary Garfield will retire as chief executive officer, president and executive chairman of Bridgestone Americas. He leaves the company on 31 December 2016 after a career at Bridgestone that spans a quarter century. He will also retire from his position as executive vice-president and executive officer of parent company Bridgestone Corporation, effective 31 August.
Bridgestone has announced its plan to acquire 100 per cent of the car service and tyre retail network Speedy France. The manufacturer intends to use the new acquisition to increase its direct access to end-users in France, one of its core European markets, as well as in other markets where Speedy has a presence. The finalisation of the acquisition is subject to approval by the regulatory authorities; once approved, and the transaction is completed, Bridgestone’s French presence will be expanded to more than 800 retail outlets, contributing strongly to its accelerated growth strategy.
According to a panel of 27 judges, Bridgestone Corporation is this year’s Tire Manufacturer of the Year. The company was named victor in this Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2016 category at a gala dinner in Hanover, Germany last night. The winners of four other category awards and a lifetime achievement award were also announced.
As of 1 September, executive chairman of Bridgestone Europe NV/SA, Eduardo Minardi, will be promoted from vice-president and senior officer of Bridgestone Corporation to senior vice-president. Minardi’s status changes along with that of Bridgestone Americas CEO and president Gary Garfield, who will also go from being vice-president and senior officer of Bridgestone Corporation to senior vice-president.
The vacancy in Bridgestone Americas’ senior management created by Eduardo Minardi’s impending departure for Europe will be filled by Gordon Knapp. Effective 1 March, he will assume the role of chief executive officer of Bridgestone Americas and chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. Until a successor is appointed for his current position, Knapp will also continue as president of North American Consumer Tire at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Eduardo Minardi is to relocate to Brussels to make the role of executive chairman, Bridgestone Europe (BSEU) his primary responsibility. Minardi previously served as Bridgestone Americas chief operating officer and chairman, CEO & president of Bridgestone Tire Operations concurrently with the BSEU role he assumed 1 January, 2014.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced the realignment of three business areas, Technology, Manufacturing and Procurement. It says this realignment will create a “more integrated team equipped to deliver on the company’s brand promise more fully.”
A new chairman of the Board of Directors at Bridgestone Americas has been announced as part of a raft of senior management changes within Bridgestone Corporation. Taking on this role is Koki Takahashi, currently vice chairman and chief financial officer at Bridgestone Americas. He steps into this new position on March 18 and he replaces Masaaki Tsuya, who has served in the role in an interim basis in addition to his regular offices since January 1. Takahashi’s successor in the position of CFO will be announced at a later date, Bridgestone notes.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) has announced two senior personnel changes: Stephen Brooks, formerly president, US, Canada and Monterrey Manufacturing Group (BAMG), has been appointed to the newly created position of chief information officer, BSAM. Barrett “Barry” Owens, formerly executive director, Process Engineering Development, will assume Brooks’ responsibilities and has been promoted to the position of vice president, Manufacturing, BAMG.
The price of certain Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand passenger car and light truck tyres will rise by up to six per cent in the US market on June 1. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) says these increases will apply to both original equipment and replacement market products.
