PERSONNEL
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations reports it has reorganised the Bridgestone Commercial Group and set up an integrated mining tyre business unit. The new business unit, Bridgestone Mining Solutions, combines all mining tyre sales, service and sales engineering, as well as a select group of US and Canadian stores, into one integrated structure. Shawn Rasey will lead the new organisation as vice-president, Bridgestone Mining Solutions.
Former UK managing director, Richard Page, has officially retired. Page joined Hankook back in 2001 bringing with him the experience of having worked in the tyre industry for over 35 years. The UK Hankook team welcomed the New Year together, taking the opportunity to celebrate Richard’s achievements and thank him for his valued contribution over the years.
As of 6 February, Goodyear Tire & Rubber will have a new vice-president of public relations and communications for its for its North American Tire business. Christopher Curran brings some 20 years in the communications and public relations sector with him into his new role with the tyre maker. Most recently he held the position of director of communications and issues management for The ServiceMaster Company, the world’s largest residential and commercial services network, and also has served in communications roles in the consumer products and health care industries. Curran replaces Ed Markey, who was named Goodyear vice president of corporate communications in March, 2011.
Following the news of changes within the top management, Kraiburg’s new product manager, Helmut Schmitt, gave his support to the company’s new managing director. The 45-year-old – who joined Kraiburg in Geretsberg at the end of last year – has been working in the tyre industry for 13 years. His experience includes time as regional sales manager truck tyres at Michelin. After that he built up Germany-wide sales and product management for new truck tyres at Hankook. Schmitt’s remit is to look after further development of the tread programme at the retreading specialist.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced two new senior management appointments in its Commercial division. Bob Mason will take up the position of TruckForce business manager for the UK hub network, while Craig Sprigmore will be appointed customer strategy manager, replacing Marc Preedy following his appointment to Commercial director. The firm says the appointments are in line with its “intention to improve consistency across the nationwide TruckForce network”.
A scientist at Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has been recognised for his work in developing a new tread compound that could increase the tyre life and reduce operating costs for airlines. James O’Callaghan, 26, from Erdington received the Sue Panteny Award from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. While developing the new compound, O’Callaghan studied one-day a week for a polymer technology degree at Staffordshire University, which, after three years, he passed with first class honours last summer.
UK vehicle tracking, telematics and systems integration, Isotrak has announced an open forum event at its Milton Keynes head office for LGV fleet operators. The event will be run as an open forum, chaired by Isotrak’s product manager, Jon Hannah, who will encourage an open discussion to provide operations and logistics personnel with the opportunity to gain insight into operational issues faced by similar organisations and to contribute actively to the agenda topics.
Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division has agreed to buy the Service Solutions business of SPX Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The deal, valued by the company at 1.15 billion dollars (roughly 883 million euros), was signed in New York City on 23 January 2012. SPX Service Solutions develops, manufactures and sells diagnostic and service tools, workshop equipment, and software for the global automotive aftermarket. The deal follows Bosch's earlier takeover of Taiwan-based Unipoint, which supplies starters and alternators, and a series of management personnel appointments in the UK.
Snap-on Tools has announced the appointment of Lisa Law as its new UK franchise manager. In her new role Law will be responsible for growing and improving the quality of the Snap-on network of franchisees in the UK. She will also be responsible for regulatory and compliance issues with regard to the existing successful Snap-on Tools business format, which has seen them as previous winners of the BFA Franchisor of the Year Award sponsored by The Daily Express and HSBC Bank.
Goodyear Dunlop UK has named Chris Ryder as national account manager of its commercial fleet operations. Ryder will be based at the company’s headquarters in Birmingham as well as travelling nationwide to build and strengthen relationships with key customers.
The role see him managing and developing Goodyear Dunlop’s expanding national key account portfolio as well as developing the tyre manufacturer’s industry leading sales practices.
The company responsible for printing Yokohama Tire Corporation’s business cards must be rubbing its hands with glee – the North American division of Yokohama Rubber has announced a host of “strategic management promotions” and other changes in role and job description. These changes take effect immediately. Dan King, Yokohama Tire’s senior vice-president of sales and marketing, has described the personnel changes as part of Yokohama’s “progressive effort to continually improve the service we provide to our dealers and deliver the best products to the market.”
The Trelleborg Group has named its replacement for Carolina Dybeck Happe, who during the first quarter of this year will step down from her position as chief financial officer in order to take up a similar role with another company. Ulf Berghult, who returns to Trelleborg from automotive, caravan and marine product manufacturer and supplier Dometic Group, will assume the position of CFO during the second quarter of 2012.
William Campbell, who has served as Titan Tire president for the past 12 years, is to take on a new dual role as chairman of Titan Tire and executive vice-president of Titan International. In this capacity he will work with Maurice Taylor, chairman and CEO of Titan International, on all recent and future acquisitions.
Japanese tyre manufacturer, Yokohama has been selected as the control tyre provider for the 2012 and 2013 seasons of the FIA Formula Two championship. Run by MSV and headed by former Formula One driver, Dr Jonathan Palmer, Formula 2 is recognised as a stepping stone to Formula One for aspiring single seat racers. The adoption of Yokohama as control tyres means the addition of a second FIA championship to the Japanese brand's portfolio; it has provided the control tyres for the FIA World Touring Car Championship since 2006.
Yukio Yoshida (44) has been named corporate planning director for Falken Tyre Europe, replacing Satoru Ushida, who is returning to Japan. Yoshida has held numerous posts with Falken's parent Sumitomo group since joining them in 1990, the most recent of which was sales manager for the Asian region, which includes China and Oceania.
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