Bridgestone Announces "Akihito Ishii" as a New MD, Unveiling Management Direction to Enhance Value Co-Creation for Sustainable Mobility

Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., and Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd. officially announced the appointment of Mr. Akihito Ishii as the new Managing Director, taking the position since July 8, 2024. He has vowed to continue leading Bridgestone's success with his full potential and drive businesses towards sustainable growth. He will succeed Mr. Keiji Chuma, who will return to Bridgestone Corporation, Japan, in the middle of July and assume the role of the Director, G-MICA Tire Solution Business Development.

Mr. Keiji Chuma has been a valuable leader and contributor for almost four years since he joined Thai Bridgestone and Bridgestone Sales in 2020. During his time, he helped launch the Culture Transformation project to drive executives and teammates to achieve the corporate vision and unite to have a strong corporate DNA. He also led business reformations, especially in manufacturing footprint, sales channel reinforcement, retail, and retread areas.

Mr. Akihito Ishii began his career at Bridgestone Corporation, Japan in 1990. He has expertise in marketing, commercial and retread tire businesses, supply chain management, and global marketing strategies across Japan, South Africa, The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Belgium, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan. With over thirty years of management experience within the Bridgestone Group, he will lead the success of Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., and Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., driving the Companies towards the Mid Term Business Plan of the Bridgestone Group (2024-2026) by focusing on value co-creation in line with the business shaping scenario and continue to build a sustainable premium brand.

Mr. Akihito Ishii stated that, "I am truly honored to be part of Bridgestone's management team in Thailand and to carry forward the business initiatives led by Mr. Keiji Chuma. I am dedicated to building the foundation with a "Passion for Excellence" to provide value creation not only in terms of customer values on developing innovative & premium products, services, and solutions. But I also strive to provide social values through sustainable initiatives to achieve carbon emissions and promote circular economy across the entire value chain. Bridgestone in Thailand possesses significant resources and management capabilities, encompassing material sourcing, R&D, tire manufacturing, logistics, a strong distribution network. Leveraging these strengths, I will ensure Bridgestone's contributions to elevating sustainable mobility in Thai society. With regard to building a sustainable premium brand, the sustainable global motorsports at the core will be localized in the market continuously".

About Bridgestone in Thailand:

Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. In Thailand, Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd. (TBSC) is a leading manufacturer in the Thai automotive industry, while Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (BSTL) is the exclusive importer & distributor, and supervises the marketing strategy for Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton branded tires in Thailand. Bridgestone is a brand trusted by its customers, dealers and business partners. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.