Key personnel changes in the Chinese tyre industry

In 2023, China’s tyre industry experienced a number of significant changes among key personnel. Tyrepress China observes that the operations of foreign brands in China are relatively stable, with only Bridgestone China’s leaders having changed.  However, several Chinese state-owned enterprises and listed companies have undergone significant personnel changes this year.

Bridgestone changed leadership in China

In 2023, Bridgestone changed the person in charge of China, and Agustin Pedroni became the general manager of Bridgestone (China) Investment Co. Ltd. According to statistics from Typress China, Bridgestone is the only one of the top ten tyre manufacturers in the world to change its leader in China in 2023.

Pirelli confirmed that board members

After a long wait, Pirelli finally confirmed its new board of directors at the end of July. The term of the new board of directors is from 2024 to 2025. Jiao Jian, general manager of Pirelli’s largest shareholder, Sinochem Holdings, was nominated as chairman of Pirelli’s board of directors.

However, according to the requirements of the Italian government, Sinochem cannot choose the candidate for Pirelli’s CEO. Casaluci Andrea and Tronchetti Provera Marco, two directors nominated by Camfin SpA, another Pirelli shareholder, hold important positions with real power in the tyre manufacturer.

Several positions in Sailun changed

On 30 December 2022, Sailun held a shareholders’ meeting to elect members of the sixth board of directors. Liu Yanhua was elected chairman of the tyre manufacturer, and Xie Xiaohong became Sailun’s president. The timing of the job changes allowed Tyrepress China to count Liu Yanhua’s appointment in the 2023 personnel changes. According to the information disclosed by Sailun, Yuan Zhongxue, the original chairman and actual controller of Sailun, was appointed as the honorary chairman of the sixth board of directors.

In June 2023, Sailun held a board meeting and appointed Zhang Xiaojun and Sun Guangqing as vice presidents. Zhang Xiaojun’s past resume is closely related to technology. Sun Guangqing’s position at the time was vice president of Sailun and general manager of the information centre.

Wang Feng’s younger brother joined Linglong’s board of directors

Wang Lin, the younger brother of Linglong head Wang Feng, joined Linglong’s board of directors in 2023 and became the tyre manufacturer’s vice chairman. In the announcement, Linglong defined Wang Lin’s responsibilities as “assisting the chairman in carrying out his work”.

In addition, another essential personnel change for Linglong in 2023 is the reappointment of Lv Xiaoyan as CFO. Starting in June 2013, Lv Xiaoyan became Linglong’s CFO for the first time. But four years later, in September 2017, Lv Xiaoyan resigned due to personal reasons. In January 2019, Lv Xiaoyan returned to Linglong.

Sentury’s CFO left and returned

Like Linglong, Sentury also welcomed back its CFO in 2023. In December 2022, Xu Huashan, the CFO of Sentury, was placed under “residential surveillance measures” by law enforcement agencies due to “related work issues before joining Sentury”. While Xu Huashan was under investigation, Sentury removed her from her position. In September of this year, law enforcement completed its investigation. Subsequently, Sentury re-appointed Xu Huashan as CFO.

Chaoyang Long March entered the era of Jin Yongsheng

The chairman of Chaoyang Long March has changed from Li Qingwen to Jin Yongsheng. Previously, Jin Yongsheng had replaced Li Qingwen as general manager. With Jin Yongsheng becoming the chairman and general manager of Chaoyang Long March, the tyre manufacturer has ushered in a new leader.

Aeolus’s general manager position changed

On 19 January, Wang Jianjun succeeded Wang Feng as the general manager of Aeolus. Not long before this personnel change occurred, Wang Feng had been appointed chairman of CNRC (China National Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.), the controlling shareholder of Aeolus. Although he no longer serves as general manager, Wang Feng still serves as chairman of Aeolus.

Cheng Shin Rubber completed the board of Directors election

Cheng Shin Rubber completed the board of directors election in 2023. Chen Yun-Hwa continues as chairman of the tyre maker, and Lo Tsai-Jen succedes Chen Shiu-Hsiung as vice chairman. Chen Yun-Hwa is the son-in-law of Cheng Shin founder Lo Chieh. Lo Tsai-Jen is the second son of Lo Chieh and served as the chairman of Cheng Shin from 2014 to 2020.

Federal changed leadership again in a year

In November, Chen Heng Kuan, the former chairman and general manager of the Federal, resigned “due to other official duties”. This resignation comes less than a year after he became the head of the tyre company.

Subsequently, the Federal issued an announcement saying that Kuo Lin-Liang, chairman of Nankang Tire, became its new chairman. Chung Cheng-Yen, an executive assistant to the chairman of the Federal, assumes the general manager position.