The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Bridgestone/Firestone Announces Fujimura Promotion

13 March 2000

Bridgestone/Firestone Announces Fujimura Promotion

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.--March 13, 2000-- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (BFS) today announced that Mike Fujimura, currently president of its Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Tire Sales division, has been promoted to the newly created post of Chief Administrative Officer. In his new role, he will report to Masatoshi Ono, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of BFS. Fujimura will continue to serve as an Executive Vice President of BFS. The appointment is effective March 15, 2000.
    In commenting on the promotion, Ono said, "Mike has been a major part of our success in the truck and bus tire segment. He has shown great talent and insight and this new position will give us the opportunity to have Mike apply those talents on a broader scale."
    Kenji Shibata, President of BFS, remarked, "We are pleased to have Mike join us on the 'corporate' side of the business. In his new role, Mike will have an important role to play as we strive to make our operations even more customer friendly. His input will be invaluable in helping us determine how to make every part of our business truly customer focused as we reinforce that attitude among all of our employees at every level."
    The Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Tire Sales division (BFTT) will be concurrently led by John Lampe, President of BFS' Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Sales Company division.
    Mike Fujimura joined Bridgestone Corporation in 1967 and transferred to BFS, in the company's Akron operation, in 1989. He has a broad base of experience in the tire industry, working in areas such as quality control, product planning and marketing. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of both Bridgestone and BFS and has held the position of president of BFTT since February, 1999. The new position of Chief Administrative Officer will include oversight responsibility for areas such as supply chain management, business processes and information technology, and export sales.
    Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, the world's largest tire and rubber manufacturer. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.