John McNaught Archives

Dolan appointed Bridgestone north Europe consumer sales and marketing director

Former HiQ retail director, Farrell Dolan has been appointed Bridgestone’s new north Europe consumer sales and marketing director. Having spent a month with Bridgestone already, Dolan is optimistic about the coming year, expressing his excitement about the company’s potential. He said that he had been impressed by the sales team’s knowledge and professionalism, as well as the Firestone brand’s mid-range proposition. Dolan joins new managing director Robin Shaw at the helm of Bridgestone’s activities in the north Europe region during a period of reorganisation following a number of retirements and departures, including former MD John McNaught.

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4th February 2015/by Andrew

John McNaught launches JCM UK, focusing on recruitment and management services

Career Tracks, UK News

Following his retirement from Bridgestone, ex-Northern European region managing director, John McNaught has founded JCM UK – a new venture focusing on recruitment and management services in the tyre and related industries. According to McNaught, after decades of working 60 – 80-hour weeks, he is simultaneously looking to take the opportunity to cut-back, but also […]

27th November 2014/by Tyrepress Editors

John McNaught leaving Bridgestone

Career Tracks, Premium, UK News

After 12 years at Bridgestone, John McNaught is to leave the company on 31 October 2014. McNaught, who has 36 years of tyre industry experience, led many of the initiatives that resulted in Bridgestone’s recent growth in this part of Europe during his tenure including significant growth in the company’s truck and bus fleet business and the acquisitions of the Kingsway retail business in 2004 and the Bulldog retreading operation in 2005 (See “Strong growth at Bridgestone UK” in our September 2005 issue for more); not to mention the expansion of the UK office’s oversight into a regional or “zone” headquarters including the Nordic markets (See “Why Bridgestone believes its new European structure takes it closer to the market”, September 2011), to name two examples.

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30th September 2014/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone sees 42% increase in CV Show visitors

Company News, Product News, UK News

Bridgestone’s stand at the 2014 edition of the CV Show reflected the prevailing opinion that this year showed an upturn in attendance. The tyre manufacturer, exhibiting its Total Tyre Life, Total Tyre Services and Total Tyre Systems tyre management components, said it saw a 42 per cent increase in visitor numbers on the previous year’s event. Bridgestone said that it hoped to convert the additional exposure of its Total Tyre Care package into increased business.

7th May 2014/by Andrew

Why Bridgestone believes its new European structure takes it closer to the market

Career Tracks, UK News

In the final quarter of 2010 Bridgestone announced that it was reorganising its European operation into key “regions“. At the start of 2011, this plan entered its second phase with the establishment of the North Region (consisting of the UK, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Ireland and Sweden). As a direct result of this, there were a number of promotions for executives at the company’s UK headquarters.

On 1 January 2011 John McNaught became North Region managing director with Sam Enya as the North Region deputy managing director and also sales administration director. At the same time John Folliss became North Region commercial sales and marketing director with Andy Lane taking the position of North Region consumer sales and marketing director. Six months into his new role, Tyres & Accessories met with Andy Lane and learnt details of how the company sees the UK and other North Region markets progressing or otherwise this year and how the new approach positions the company to deal with this.

26th August 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Independent Thinking – Bridgestone UK’s retail strategy

UK News

Bridgestone UK’s general strategy of focusing on independent dealers is clear with 90 per cent of its sales going through this channel and only 10 per cent going through equities such as Kingsway, ATS Euromaster and HiQ. If anything the management sees its relationships with key independent dealers as even more important to truck tyre sales. Sales figures given at the Truck Point conference seem demonstrate this: 94 per cent of Bridgestone CV products are supplied through Truck Point dealers.

6th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Strong growth at Bridgestone UK

Career Tracks, UK News

Since John McNaught took over at Bridgestone UK there have been a number of changes including some high profile acquisitions in the commercial vehicle sector. But in general the developments of the last few years can be summed up in one word, growth.

It has been a “phenomenally busy period,” John McNaught told Tyres & Accessories at the company’s Warwick, headquarters. “Bridgestone is in a very high period of growth and for all our staff it is a tremendously busy and rewarding time,” said Mr McNaught explaining that this is part of a long-term plan developed in conjunction with the company’s European management based in Brussels. John McNaught praised the efforts of all his team and highlighted the fact that the company has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People award.

2nd August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone UK Acquires Bulldog Remoulds

Product News, Retreading, UK News

Bridgestone UK Ltd has acquired Bulldog Remoulds (Holdings) Ltd, the companies have announced in a joint statement. The deal is said to have been the subject of discussion for “some time.” Both parties agreed that the pricetag attached to the purchase would remain “commercially confidential.”

The purchase took effect on 29 April and will not affect existing trading arrangements with Bulldog customers and suppliers, the companies have confirmed. Bridgestone says the acquisition will strengthen its long-term capability to look after and expand its Truck Fleet customers within the UK.

3rd May 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

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