Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Statement Regarding John Lampe Nomination to Bridgestone Corp. Board
Nashville, Tenn. (February 22, 2001) -John Lampe, Bridgestone/Firestone,
Inc. (BFS) Chairman, CEO and President has been nominated to the Bridgestone
Corporation Board of Directors, according to a Bridgestone announcement made
today in Japan. His nomination, along with that of Osamu Inoue, will be presented
to the shareholders for a vote at the company's annual shareholders meeting
scheduled for March 29. Lampe, who already sits on and chairs the nine-person
BFS board of directors, will be the first American, and first non-Japanese,
to join Bridgestone's board.
"It is an honor to have been nominated to serve in this new capacity.
Bridgestone has a high reputation abroad, as well as at home in Japan - a reputation
based on world-class standards of customer satisfaction and quality. I am proud
to be a part of it." Lampe said. "Bridgestone has long been recognized
as a global company, and in this new role, I hope to continue the Bridgestone
tradition of bringing the world together."
Since being named BFS chairman, CEO and president in October, 2000, Lampe
says he has received immense support from Bridgestone's management team. Tire
industry insiders, as well as company executives have recognized Lampe as an
experienced and highly respected leader in the tire and rubber industry and
a man who cares deeply for the company, its employees and its customers.
Lampe, 53, joined Bridgestone/Firestone in 1973 as an international trainee
in the tire maker's Cincinnati operations. Since then, he has held a number
of senior international posts of increasing responsibility in Singapore, Denmark,
Spain, Costa Rica and Brazil. Lampe was president of the company's former Dayton
Tire Division in Oklahoma City, before his most recent job as president Bridgestone/Firestone
Tire Sales Co. and president of Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Tire Sales Co.
He also served as executive vice president of BFS.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone
Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone/Firestone
develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, and associate
and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing
materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.
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