Bridgestone Americas Names New Consumer Tire Division President

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas today announced that TJ Higgins has been named President, Consumer U.S. and Canada, for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations effective Monday, Nov. 3.

Higgins brings more than 20 years of big brand consumer products marketing and strategic business experience to Bridgestone, leading product strategy and marketing for a number of recognizable brands and products. Most recently, he served as the North America regional president for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and has held leadership roles at Merck and Vlasic throughout his career. Higgins succeeds Gordon Knapp, who became Chief Operating Officer of Bridgestone Americas in March of this year. 

"Our company is redefining the way we approach our business," said Knapp. "TJ has demonstrated an ability to build quality teams, maximize product demand and create innovative ways to meet customer needs. His experience will serve us well as we continue to build a consumer tire business that's sustainable well into the future."

The arrival of a new president follows a series of innovative product introductions for the Bridgestone consumer tire business, including the company's all-new DriveGuard run-flat tire line, which appeals broadly to safety-minded consumers and moms. Bridgestone continues to assert itself as a leader in consumer tire design, delivering unique products that meet the emerging needs of a diverse group of consumers.

Higgins earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Lehigh University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He will relocate to Nashville from his current home in New Jersey.

About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations; the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses; the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses; and Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.: Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand 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 are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

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SOURCE Bridgestone Americas