Bridgestone Europe names new Consumer, Western region heads

Benoit Raulin has taken on responsibility for Bridgestone Europe’s French and Benelux markets after his appointment as managing director of the company’s Western region. He succeeds Eric Gaétan in the role following the latter’s appointment as managing director of Bridgestone Europe’s Consumer business unit in Brussels.

Raulin, 45, joined Bridgestone in 1990 and has served the company in several European countries, including two stints with Bridgestone Germany, the second as managing director. He was replaced in this role by Gerry Duffy in October 2010 and transferred to Bridgestone’s European headquarters in Brussels as vice president of Finance & Procurement.

In his new role, Eric Gaétan, 48, will be responsible for both the original equipment and aftermarket passenger car, 4×4, light commercial and motorcycle tyre segments. He joined Bridgestone in 1987 and took on the position of managing director of the Western region in January 2011.