Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSAM) has announced that Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, chairman of the board of directors of Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSAM), will be returning to Japan to accept a new assignment with Bridgestone Corp.
Effective Jan. 1, 2011, Nishiyama will be promoted to vice president and senior officer, responsible for International Tire Business Operations, Bridgestone Corp. (BSJ).
In this 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, and BSJ’s vice president and senior officer, as well as that company’s chief risk-management officer, chief human rights officer and officer responsible for corporate administration, will temporarily serve as BSAM’s chairman until Nishiyama’s successor is named; Tsuya will retain his duties and responsibilities with BSJ.
Also effective Jan. 1, 2011, Yasutaka Enoki, currently serving as president, Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology (BACRT), and executive vice president, Bridgestone Americas Product Development, has accepted a new position with Bridgestone Europe NV/SA (BSEU) at its Rome Technical Center (TCE). He has been a member of the Bridgestone Americas team since 2008 and will serve as BSEU’s deputy managing director, TCE.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) also announced today leadership changes in its Product Development, BACRT, and Logistics & Supply Chain Management (LSCM) groups. All changes are effective immediately.
Steve Shelton, currently vice president, logistics and supply chain management, 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 ATW (the race tire manufacturing facility) and the Akron, Ohio-based Product Development facilities.
Bob Handlos, currently vice president, product development, has accepted the position of vice president, research, BACRT. Handlos will oversee the group responsible for research and polymer science technology.
Jason Poulton, currently director, research, has accepted the position of director, 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, special projects, manufacturing and technology, has been promoted to the position of director, supply planning and sourcing within the LSCM group. In his new position, McLaughlin 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.
Tom Seitz, currently director of operations in LSCM responsible for the functions of controller and transportation, will now also oversee the warehousing and private fleet functions within that group.
