Bridgestone Americas Shuffles Leadership Roles

Bridgestone Americas’ (BSAM) Asahiko "Duke" Nishiyama, chairman of the board of directors, will return to Japan to accept a new assignment with Bridgestone Corp. Effective Jan. 1, Nishiyama will be promoted to vice president and senior officer, responsible for International Tire Business Operations, Bridgestone Corp (BSJ).

In his new role, the following BSJ business units will report to him: Asia and Oceania Tire; China Tire; Middle East and Africa Tire; and the Specialty Tire Business Division. In addition, Nishiyama will have responsibility for the following divisions within BSJ: International Tire Business Administration; Middle East, Africa, Russia, Asia, Oceania and China Operations; Americas and Europe Operations; and International Retail Business Support.

Masaaki Tsuya, a member of both the BSJ and BSAM boards, will temporarily serve as BSAM’s chairman until Nishiyama’s successor is named. Tsuya also serves as BSJ’s vice president and senior officer, chief risk management officer, chief human rights officer and officer responsible for corporate administration.

Also effective Jan. 1, Yasutaka Enoki, currently serving as president of Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology (BACRT), and executive vice president of Bridgestone Americas Product Development, has accepted a new position with Bridgestone Europe at its Rome Technical Center. Enoki, who has been with Bridgestone Americas since 2008, will serve as Bridgestone Europe’s deputy managing director.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) also announced leadership changes in its product development, BACRT, and logistics & supply chain management (LSCM) groups. All changes are effective immediately.

Steve Shelton, currently vice president, LSCM, has accepted the position of vice president, product development, BATO. In his new role, Shelton will be responsible for all BATO tire development groups, as well as the race tire manufacturing facility and the Akron, Ohio-based product development facilities.

Bob Handlos, currently vice president, product development, will become vice president of research, BACRT. Handlos will oversee the group responsible for research and polymer science technology.

Jason Poulton, currently director of research, will become director of product development and technology planning. In addition to supporting Shelton in his new role, Poulton’s responsibilities will include long-term strategic technical planning, communication and cooperation with BATO businesses and functional owners and all budgeting functions.

John McLaughlin, currently manager of special projects, manufacturing and technology, has been promoted to director of supply planning and sourcing within the LSCM group. He will be responsible for all supply, planning and sourcing functions for BATO, and will also be responsible for aligning the organization to more fully optimize and integrate supply chain management efforts on a global basis, the company said.

Tom Seitz, currently director of operations in LSCM, will now also oversee the warehousing and private fleet functions within that group.

Bridgestone Americas will debut the Bandag Virtual Plant Tour at WasteExpo 2024, taking place May 7-9 in Las Vegas, NV. The company said this virtual experience will transport viewers inside a Bandag manufacturing plant to demonstrate the safety, reliability and positive environmental characteristics of retreaded tires.

“The waste and recycling industry has long been a leader in innovation and a space to promote and advance sustainability-focused technologies,” Brian Goldstine, president of retread solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said. “Through our new virtual experience, Bridgestone is able to demonstrate the technology, testing and time that goes into producing every Bandag retreaded tire and educate fleets on the importance of more cost-effective and eco-friendly tire solutions, regardless of their location.”