He will stay on through the end of the month to assist with the transition to his successor, John Stewart.
 
Rose began his career in production at the company’s LaVergne, Tenn., tire plant and over the years assumed roles of increasing responsibility in the areas of final inspection, process engineering and stock preparation. Under his leadership, the Aiken County plant was named among Industry Week’s Top 10 Plants in North America and as South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Manufacturer of the Year, Large Employer Category. The plant also received the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce Greater Good Award, the South Carolina Silver Crescent Award, the South Carolina Chamber Safety Excellence Award, the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance’s Crystal Flame Award and the National Philanthropic Association (Augusta Chapter) Outstanding Corporation award.
 
“These awards are a testament to the fact that Rose has worked hard at Aiken County to not only manufacture world-class tires but also to make a difference in the place he calls home,” said Steve Brooks, president of BATO’s U.S., Canada and Monterrey manufacturing group. “He embraced and embodied ‘the Bridgestone way’ by encouraging teammates to give back to their communities. I’ve worked with Mike many years and can attest to the fact that he’s spent many early mornings, late nights and weekends making sure our Aiken County plant produces the highest-quality tires for which we’re known.”

Stewart has a 11-year history working at Aiken County in production control and industrial engineering, along with being a group leader in the Automated Continuous Tire Assembly System. He was most recently operations manager at the plant. Stewart has officially assumed the position of plant manager. (Tire Review/Akron)