Former Watts Tyre Group managing director, Douglas Pearson died on 8 January 2009 following a short illness, the company has said in a statement conveying its sadness at the news.

Doug Pearson worked for Watts Industrial Tyres for 31 years, having joined the company from Dunlop in 1976. In 1988 he became managing director of the company and was instrumental in making Watts one of the major players in the industry. In 2006 he stepped down as managing director to spend his last year with Watts in the USA overseeing the integration of Diprima and establishing the new Watts USA operation in the Southern United States. In addition to his stewardship of Watts, Pearson was also an active and key member of several trade associations including ITA (Industrial Tyre Association), BITA (British Industrial Truck Association) and the FLTA (Fork Lift Truck Association).

“Douglas was greatly admired and respected by all his colleagues and competitors. Tributes and condolences have been received from all over the world, testimony to the affection and esteem in which he was held. We extend our sincere sympathies to his devoted wife, Judy, hi son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Jill and his beloved grandchildren, Aaron and Louis,” Watts’ statement concluded.