Bridgestone/Firestone Announces New Leadership at Diversified Products Group
8 January 2001
Bridgestone/Firestone Announces New Leadership at Diversified Products Group
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 8 As part of his on-going review
and realignment of the company's businesses, John Lampe, chairman, chief
executive officer and president of Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (BFS) today
announced the appointment of Robert J. McNally as president of the company's
Diversified Products Group. In addition to his new position with the
Diversified Products Group, McNally, who has also been promoted to senior vice
president with Bridgestone/Firestone, will continue to be responsible for the
company's Business Process and Information Technology Group, which includes
the company's Customer Focused Solutions initiative. This move concludes the
reorganization of the company's operating business units.
"As I said when I announced the consolidation of our decentralized tire
operations into four business units, our emphasis will be on better
information and knowledge sharing, and more direct accountability at all
levels inside the company," said Lampe. "With Bob's appointment, we have
completed the realignment of our operating units to accomplish that goal. Bob
brings a remarkable talent for organization, communication and management to
the Diversified Products Group. With his concurrent corporate
responsibilities for the company's business processes with a focus on managing
information flow, Bob will bring a unique perspective on how to best
'dismantle the castle walls' that can surround our business information."
McNally, 54, is a native of New York and holds a degree in Management from
Malone College. He began his career with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
in 1966, working in various capacities in the company's retail stores. He
brings a far-ranging background to his new position, having worked in many
diverse areas of the business such as finance, manufacturing, and sales, and
prior to his appointment as a corporate vice president, he was president of
the company's "off-the-road" tire business.
The Diversified Products Group consists of BFS' non-tire businesses,
including industrial roofing and insulation materials, air springs, synthetic
rubber and polymers, natural rubber, and fibers and textiles. Firestone is
the industry leader in rubber roofing materials and its Airide brand air
spring, used primarily on tractor-trailers, is considered to be the standard
in the industry.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is the largest subsidiary of
Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company.
Bridgestone/Firestone manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton
and house and private brand tires. The company also produces air springs,
roofing materials, synthetic rubber and other industrial products. It employs
almost 37,000 in the United States and more than 10,000 in Canada, Mexico and
Latin America.