Bridgestone unearths OTR tyre specialist as market share grows

Bridgestone is looking ahead to an exciting future in the off-the-road tyre sector and has appointed a new area sales manager to ensure the business keeps on making tracks. Jeremy Valentine brings years of tyre industry to the role in the North of England and Scotland, reporting to OTR key accounts manager Rob Cole.

The freshly-minted area sales manager comments that first impressions of Bridgestone had surpassed expectations and he couldn’t wait to get to work on a number of new and existing opportunities. “It is great to be joining such a prestigious company which is so highly respected in the OTR sector,” says Valentine. “The team have been incredibly supportive since my arrival and with the product portfolio and mobility solutions we have in place, I’m extremely confident of a bright future.”

Position of strength

Bridgestone admits that the marketplace had been a challenging one in recent times, due in part to availability issues caused by a worldwide container shortage, as well as rises in the cost of raw materials, energy and transport. But Rob Cole stresses that the business had emerged in a position of strength, currently holding number one market share figures in the mining and construction sector. Meanwhile, additional opportunities in loader and mechanical handling vehicles were also being maximised.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jeremy to the team,” says Rob. “His knowledge of the industry is first class, as is his knowledge of the area and now it’s down to us to familiarise him with the culture of the business. He joins us at the perfect time, as we look to make more inroads in the OTR sector, with plenty of opportunities presenting themselves.”

New products & digital solutions

In terms of product, Bridgestone’s new MasterCore tyres are designed to offer either higher payloads or faster-operating speeds. Initially manufactured in ultra-large sizes, this is now being expanded down the size range. Meanwhile, there is a new range of tyres designed specifically for underground mining applications, again offering higher load-carrying capacity.

In addition to these products, Bridgestone is developing digital solutions that maximise their potential, making the most of the digital technology that is being increasingly integrated into vehicles and machinery to increase productivity, decrease downtime, maximise operational potential and minimise the risks to personal safety.

Rob Cole adds: “The OTR sector is undergoing change and there are exciting developments in the pipeline. For example, the electrification of machines is beginning to enter the marketplace and our tyre technology will evolve accordingly. These changes won’t happen overnight, but we’re always looking ahead.”