Restructuring For Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.

US company Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS) has announced a new corporate structure from Dec. 1st.

The reorganised company will be known as Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding Inc (BFAH), which will be the holding company for a number of subsidiaries. The change has been made to take advantage of better financing rates and to re-focus on core businesses. John Lampe will be CEO and president of BFAH and is reported as saying “The reorganisation of BFS is an important step in the rebuilding process and will help ensure that the Bridgestone/Firestone family of companies is financially strong and viable for the long term.

” Among the subsidiaries are: * Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) succeeds BFS and covers North American tyre manufacturing, wholesale and OE sales for consumer, commercial truck and bus, agricultural and OTR businesses, plus product development and research. Lampe will be CEO and chairman and Isao Togashi will be vice chairman and president. The company is based in Nashville.

* BFS Retail & Commercial Operations (BFRC). This company consists of company-owned consumer and commercial stores in the USA and Canada. These include Firestone Tire & Service Centres, TiresPlus and GCR.

President and chairman of BFRC will be Larry Magee and the company’s HQ will be in Bloomingdale.* BFS Diversified Products (BFDP). This includes non-tire operations in the Americas.

HQ is in Carmel and Robert McNally is CEO, chairman and president.* Bridgestone Metalpha USA (BMU). Manufactures steel cord, based in Clarksville and president is Tora Toraiwa.