Bridgestone India, part of the Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, announced Hiroshi Yoshizane will take over as its new managing director. He will succeed Stefano Sanchini, who will be moving into the role of VP Consumer Replacement for Europe. Yoshizane moves to his new role from Bridgestone Japan where he has served various leadership positions. He last served as Executive Vice President of Solution Business, Retail & Service Business in Bridgestone Tire Solution Japan.

This development follows Bridgestone Corporation?s recent announcement regarding global reorganisation of Bridgestone East and West. India will be reassigned under East forming BSAPIC as one SBU ? Asia Pacific, India & China, considering that these geographies represent similar consumer sentiments and Bridgestone?s synergies can be channelised to develop these markets further.

?India is a strategic, evolving and growth market for Bridgestone, with a unique set of opportunities and challenges, as the country?s automotive sector is poised for major advances both in terms of numbers and technology. I look forward to working with our partners and the Bridgestone team to serve our customers, vehicle manufacturers and the communities at large,? said Hiroshi Yoshizane.

?My India tenure has been very fulfilling and a great learning experience as the diversity and complexities of the Indian market are unique to the country. I am sure that these learnings will hold me in good stead in my new assignment. I thank the Bridgestone team and business partners for the warmth and support extended, and I?m certain we are geared to optimise every opportunity in 2024,? said Stefano Sanchini.

Sanchini assumed role of Managing Director in January 2023. During his tenure, the company reached new heights and recorded some memorable milestones like the production the hundredth million tyres at its Indore plant, verification of the Pune plant being carbon neutral.

Bridgestone is a global leader in tyres and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. The regional office Bridgestone Asia Pacific in Singapore oversees the operations of tyre production and sales facilities and supplies its products to more than 20 markets in the region. Bridgestone Asia Pacific and its subsidiaries across the region offers a diverse portfolio of original equipment and replacement tires, tire-centric solutions and mobility solutions that deliver social value and customer value. Guided by its corporate commitment ?Bridgestone E8 Commitment?, Bridgestone is dedicated to shaping a sustainable future of mobility and improving the way people move, live, work and play.

Bridgestone India started its operations in 1996. In March 1998 with the setup of its manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, Bridgestone achieved its objective of running Indian manufactured Bridgestone tyres on Indian Roads. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013. The Indore plant rolled out its 100 million tyre in 2023. In a short stint of more than 25 years, Bridgestone India has become one of the leading tyre companies in both the OEM & Replacement market.