Bridgestone UK, Ireland retail networks brought “under one roof”

Bridgestone has detailed the new organisation of its retail network, bringing together its current UK and Ireland operations. As part of the company’s regionalisation strategy – essentially northern European operations being streamlined from the UK – the division is headed by Alex Watson, retail managing director UK and Ireland, who takes up responsibility for Kingsway Tyres Ltd, Fast Fit Tyres and also the First Stop network. He has been involved in Kingsway Tyres Ltd since 1996 and stayed with the company when it was bought by Bridgestone in 2004, becoming its managing director during the acquisition. There are 170 First Stop centres in the UK, and around 2,000 across Europe.

Watson, who now reports directly to Leon Van Der Merwe, vice president, Retail Europe, said: “A vital ingredient in running a successful tyre business today is offering the widest possible choice to our customers, both in terms of tyre brand and range of services provided. Gone are the days when a manufacturer aligned network could survive solely selling group products as you exclude yourself from a large proportion of the market and discourage customers with strong affiliations with other brands.

“Choice, value and professionalism are at the core of the First Stop philosophy, especially the range of extended automotive services, which addresses the trend for customers to move away from high cost servicing and repairs at main dealers.”

Keeping in line with European strategy, First Stop will bring together the strength of the partners with the equity companies to provide a high quality image with a multi brand and multi service offer.

To support the future growth and development of First Stop in the UK and Ireland, Mike Glover has been appointed as First Stop Zone Manager for UK and Ireland, reporting to Alex Watson. In addition, Colm Conyngham has been appointed as Retail Business Consultant Ireland reporting to Mike.

Watson commented: “Mike has gained an excellent perspective of the industry from a number of points of view; tyre manufacturer including partner programs, an independent partner and an equity.  We look forward to his contribution to the business. Colm has moved over from his role as marketing manager and brings with him a wealth of experience of both customer and marketplace.”