Bridgestone/Firestone Announces Management Changes
Nashville, Tenn. (February 22, 2002) - Bridgestone
Americas Holding, Inc. (BFAH) today announced that Isao Togashi, currently
Vice Chairman of BFAH and President of Bridgestone/Firestone North American
Tire, LLC (BFNT) will be resigning his positions at the Nashville-based
companies in late March to accept an assignment with Bridgestone Corporation
(BSJ) of Tokyo, parent company of BFAH. Togashi, 60, will serve as Bridgestone
Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Technology.
Succeeding Togashi as BFAH Vice Chairman will be Yasuyoshi (“Yas”)
Kawaguchi, who will also serve as President, Manufacturing and Technology
Operations in BFNT. John Lampe, CEO, Chairman and President of BFAH and
Chairman of BFNT will assume additional responsibilities as President
of BFNT.
Speaking of Togashi, Lampe said, "Isao Togashi
was here for Bridgestone/Firestone when the company, and I, needed him
most. He has been a tremendous help to me as we have worked to rebuild
this company and I will always be grateful to him for his advice, his
advocacy on behalf of Bridgestone/Firestone and his sense of humor. His
new position with Bridgestone Corporation is a significant opportunity
and honor for him and I wish him all the best in his new and important
role."
Kawaguchi, 57, who graduated from Osaka Kyoiku University
with a bachelors degree in chemistry, began his career with BSJ in 1970
as a tire compounder. He has served in positions of increasing responsibility
in the tire materials and development side of the business, including
Manager, Off the Road Tire Development; General Manager, Tire Process
Technology Development; and Director, Tire Material Development Division.
His most recent position with BSJ was Vice President, Tire Manufacturing
Technology. In his new position with BFNT, Kawaguchi will have responsibility
for the research, product development and manufacturing aspects of Bridgestone/Firestone's
tire business.
"We are extremely fortunate to have an executive
of Yas' experience and business acumen joining us during our critical
rebuilding period," said Lampe. "His career has focused on
tire materials and technology development, areas that are of special
interest to us as we develop new and enhanced technologies and tire designs
to meet and exceed the expected standards of the TREAD Act. His experience
as a plant manager in the Tochigi plant will also be a significant asset
in his new responsibilities."
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. is
a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and
rubber company. BFAH, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures
and markets a wide range of tires to address the needs of a broad range
of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle
original equipment manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry
and mining industries. The companies also produce Firestone air springs,
roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles
and operate the world's largest chain of automotive tire and services
centers. Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, a subsidiary
of BFAH, develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone, Firestone,
Dayton and private and associate brand tires. The company is focused
on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light
truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its
customers in North America. |
