PERSONNEL
At the end of this year the chairman of the Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) Board of Directors, Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, is to return to Japan in order to commence a new assignment within Bridgestone Corporation. As of January 1, 2011, Nishiyama will be promoted to vice president and senior officer, responsible for International Tire Business Operations, Bridgestone Corporation (BSJ).
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) has announced two senior personnel changes: Stephen Brooks, formerly president, US, Canada and Monterrey Manufacturing Group (BAMG), has been appointed to the newly created position of chief information officer, BSAM. Barrett “Barry” Owens, formerly executive director, Process Engineering Development, will assume Brooks’ responsibilities and has been promoted to the position of vice president, Manufacturing, BAMG.
Goodyear Aviation product support manager Robert Robson has emphasised the importance of daily aircraft tyre pressure checks. Aviation tyres' design and construction differ from automobile tyres, and though it is important to maintain the correct pressure in car tyres, proper aircraft tyre pressure is the most important factor in aircraft preventive maintenance. As a result, pilots and maintenance personnel must resist the temptation to follow the same schedule they would use in checking their cars' tyres to determine that their aircraft tyre pressure is correct, advises Robson, who regularly teaches aviation industry authorised inspection classes and has ten years of aviation tyre experience.
When Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe said it had appointed George Rietbergen as managing director UK and Ireland in March, the announcement meant the Dutchman would become the operation’s third managing director since 2004. During that time significant changes have taken place in the company’s UK and Eire operations including the separation of HiQ in a hard franchised passenger car only retail operation and a Truck Force network; the adoption of multi-brand and multi-company distribution strategy via outsourced third party logistics (namely Norbert Dentressangle) and a significant number and scope of personnel changes. Set against this backdrop you could be forgiven for expecting more upheaval, but as Tyres & Accessories recently found out in an exclusive interview with the new MD, he brings with him a refreshingly up-front Hollandic approach and an understated management style that puts the emphasis on the departmental heads and middle managers rather than “the man at the top.”
Federal Tyres is rewarding its top-performing dealers with a tour package to Taiwan throughout the second quarter of this year. The tours give winners time to experience local customs and see the country’s best-loved tourist spots. The fully escorted tour features southern Taiwan’s fabulous ocean and mountain views and the picturesque landscapes of Kenting National Park and Kaohsiung City.
Bridgestone heads to Sao Paulo with its medium and super soft compound Potenza tyres for the penultimate round of the Formula One season on 5-7 November. “Brazil is a fantastic country and the South Americas are very important markets with good growth so it is natural for Bridgestone to appreciate the strong presence here provided by the Brazilian Grand Prix,” said Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport.
There is a long tradition of mining in South Africa and the country is the world's leading producer of platinum, manganese and chrome, the second-largest producer of gold and the fourth-largest diamond producer. With such a history, it is fitting that South Africa plays host to the biennial Electra Mining Africa exhibition which, since its inception over 40 years ago, has grown to become South Africa's largest trade exhibition and the second largest mining show in the world.
Rolf Koerfer, the top legal advisor to Schaeffler and the Schaeffler family, has agreed to step down from his post on the Continental AG advisory board.
An important personnel change took place at Pirelli Tyres Ltd on October 1, namely Chris Evans’ appointment to the position of director of Truck Business, UK. In his new role, Evans will report directly to national managing director Dominic Sandivasci and functionally to the company’s headquarters in Milan.
On October 1, Olaf Musshoff took over as director of Automechanika Frankfurt, assuming responsibility for the automotive industry exhibition’s operative control. In announcing his appointment, show organiser Messe Frankfurt described Musshoff as an experienced fair and exhibition specialist with many years’ experience together with Messe Frankfurt. Prior positions within the company include head of Exhibitor Services and head of Project Controlling. Before joining Messe Frankfurt, Musshoff was project controller and, subsequently, commercial project manager with Deutsche Bahn Immobiliengesellschaft mbH, the German railways’ real-estate management company.
A twelfth member has been added to the Board of Directors at Goodyear Tire & Rubber with the election of Peter S. Hellman, retired president of Nordson Corporation. In introducing the new board member, company chairman and chief executive officer Richard J. Kramer said “Peter Hellman is a respected leader with extensive leadership experience in successful international businesses. His wide-ranging experience and knowledge will be of significant value to our board of directors.”
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced that Norbert Hecking, currently Market Supply Chain director Middle East and Africa, has been appointed as Market Supply Chain director UK & Ireland. Hecking joins the UK and Ireland organisation reporting to MD George Rietbergen and functionally to Rob Scholte, vice president Supply Chain Europe, Middle East and Africa. Hecking replaces Steve Carless, who will be leaving the company at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity outside of the tyre industry.
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd has announced the appointment of Peter Tye as retail director, including heading the company’s HiQ tyre and vehicle servicing network. Tye, who was previously franchise development manager, replaces Juergen Titz, who was appointed director of Goodyear Dunlop’s consumer tyre business unit last month.
Peter Tye joined Goodyear Dunlop in 2006 when the company relaunched and revitalised the HiQ brand, its service standards and franchise model. Before joining Goodyear Dunlop, he had 14 years franchising experience, most notably on the Volkswagen Group brands including Audi and Seat.
MAM Software's new range of e-commerce solutions is banking on its ability to improve customer service and increase the efficiency of transactions both up and down tyre distributors’ and retailer’ supply chain. By handling purchases and sales electronically, MAM's e-commerce solutions are designed to speed-up responses, reduce errors and cut administrative overheads, say company representatives.
Tony Wilson Chairman and COO of the Klarius Group has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by a panel of judges acting on behalf of EN magazine, which bills itself as ‘the magazine for Entrepreneurs.” Wilson is credited with purchasing and swiftly returning to profitability the emissions control division of Arvin Meritor in 2007. He then repeated the move with the larger £300 million turnover Quinton Hazell buyout in February of this year, and reportedly returned that part of the business to profitability within three months.
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