Lampe Named “Rubber Industry Executive Of The Year”

Rubber & Plastics News, a sister magazine of Tire Business, has named Bridgestone/Firestone Chairman and CEO John Lampe (53) as the “Rubber Industry Executive of the Year”. The award is in recognition of Lampe’s leadership in the company’s rebound from the Firestone tyre recall, which was at its height when Lampe assumed the top job. He was reluctant to accept the award at first, fearing that it would overshadow the part played by employees, dealers and customers.

The company’s recovery is such that it expects to report a net income of $70 million for 2002, compared to a net loss of $1.67 billion in 2001..