Bridgestone Australia Ltd. Group Announces new Chairman & CEO
Bridgestone Australia Ltd Group, Australia's leading tyre manufacturer, retailer and distributor, has announced the appointment of Mr Shojiro Hara as its new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Hara is currently the Managing Director of Bridgestone Asia Pacific in Singapore, and will begin in his new role in October 2008.
He replaces Mr Mac Ohashi, who has announced that he will be returning to Bridgestone Japan to take up a new Director position as head of the Specialty Tyre Division, responsible for tyres for the global mining, construction, aircraft and motor cycle markets.
During his four years with Bridgestone Australia, Mr Ohashi steered the Group through issues such as the privatisation and de-listing from the Australian Stock Exchange, the creation of the innovative Bridgestone Select retail format and the early stages of Project Endeavour, the merger of Bridgestone Australia and Bridgestone New Zealand Limited.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Australia and believe we can be justifiably proud of our achievements over the past four years," Mr Ohashi said.
"I believe I am leaving the company ideally positioned for the challenges ahead, both as a manufacturer and retailer, and have no doubt that the long-term strategies we have in place will see Bridgestone Australia continue to strengthen its market-leading position."
Mr Hara has already worked with the Bridgestone Australia management team on a number of projects which will facilitate his smooth transition into his new role.
Bridgestone Australia Ltd. is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the largest tyre manufacturer in the world, and employs more than 1500 at facilities around Australia including 600 at its major tyre manufacturing plant in Salisbury, South Australia. Bridgestone Australia Ltd. is a major supplier to manufacturers such as Holden, HSV, Kenworth and Volvo Trucks, and is a major tyre and service provider to most major transport operators and retails tyres through its own franchise channels - Bridgestone Select and Bridgestone Tyre Centres - as well as other channels.