Bridgestone Hires BP Vet to Head Ag Unit
Bridgestone America’s agricultural tire unit has a new leader with the appointment of Tony Orlando as president. Orlando replaces Kenneth Allen, who retired last June. With a background in chemical engineering, Orlando brings 27 years of experience, including 26 years at oil giant British Petroleum. Most recently, Orlando was vice president and managed several global
Bridgestone Sees 3% Sales Jump, 49% Net Improvement
Bridgestone Corp. posted gains in sales, operating income and net incomes for 2014. The Tokyo-based tiremaker showed fiscal 2014 sales of $34.7 billion, a 3% rise year-over-year. Overall operating income was $4.52 billion, up 9.1% from 2013, and net income improved nearly 49% YoY to $2.84 billion. Global tire operations accounted for $29.2 billion in
Bridgestone Americas Names Nishiyama’s Successor
Yoshiyuki Morimoto will succeed Asahiko Nishiyama as executive chairman of Bridgestone Americas, effective March 24. Morimoto’s appointment to this position coincides with his retirement from Bridgestone Corp.’s board of directors and the end of his tenure as assistant to the tiremaker’s senior vice president and his role as chief technology officer, according to Tyres &
Nomination Period Open for Bridgestone’s Fuel the Cause Contest
Designed to help consumers foster positive change in their local communities throughout the U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas announced the return of its Fuel the Cause contest. Until March 15, consumers can nominate a community project to receive a $25,000 donation from Bridgestone. Nominations should identify a community space, object or nonprofit organization that would
Bridgestone Technology Leadership Changes
Hideo “Hank” Hara, chief technology officer with Bridgestone Americas, announced that after a combined 16 years in the Akron, Ohio, community, he will return to Bridgestone Japan effective March 24 to assume the role of Bridgestone fellow. Hara first relocated to Akron in 1992 as an engineering manager. Since that position, Hara has held various
Australian Bandag Facility Gets Solar System
Bridgestone’s Australia subsidiary Bandag Manufacturing Pty Ltd. in Wacol, Australia, will utilize sunshine to power its operation, according to Tyres & Accessories. The retread plant is installing two 100 kilowatt solar power systems: one on the factory’s roofing, the other at Quality Tyre Sales, its onsite retail business. The system will not only reduce Bandag’s
Bridgestone Debuts New Winter Tire
Starting July 2015, Bridgestone Americas will be offering a new winter tire for CUVs, SUVs and light trucks – the Blizzak DM-V2. The Blizzak DM-V2 features an all new tread pattern and compounding to offer drivers more control when driving in ice, snow and slush, Bridgestone said. The DM-V2 replaces the DM-V1, offering several improvements
Bridgestone Americas Commercial Solutions Taps New Head of Marketing
Bridgestone Americas Commercial Solutions appointed Marshall Hyzdu its new head of marketing for the commercial tire division. As vice president of Bridgestone Americas’ commercial tire division, Hyzdu will lead marketing initiatives for OTR and commercial truck and bus tire products, including Bridgestone, Firestone, Bandag and Dayton brands. “We are fortunate to add Marshall’s many talents
Bridgestone Launches Site for Dayton Brand
Bridgestone Americas Commercial Solutions launched a new website for its Dayton brand – DaytonTruckTires.com. “Dayton truck tires are designed for truckers – those small fleets and owner-operators focused on their work – keeping their head down and doing what it takes to keep moving,” said Matt Loos, director of truck and bus marketing for Bridgestone
North Carolina Dealers Schedule Expo/Trade Show
The North Carolina Tire Dealers Association is hosting its annual expo/trade show March 20 and 21. The event kicks off with a Friday night awards banquet featuring keynote speaker John Baratta, president of consumer replacement tire sales for Bridgestone Americas. On Saturday, March 21, there will be two business seminars for attendees. The first seminar
Bridgestone Launches New Line of Dayton Truck Tires
Bridgestone Americas Commercial Solutions unveiled a new line of Dayton brand commercial truck tires. The new line consists of eight new Dayton patterns doubles the product coverage of the former lineup to meet the diverse needs of small fleets and owner operators in a multitude of trucking segments, said Bridgestone. The new Dayton lineup features
Bridgestone Breaks Ground on New U.S. HQ
Yesterday, Bridgestone Americas celebrated the groundbreaking on its new headquarters in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Several state and regional reps, as well as Bridgestone execs were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony. The 30-story building, $200 million project, is expected to be complete in mid to late 2017. Once completed, the facility will house more than
