Top management reshuffle continues at Bridgestone

Nashville, Tennessee – A Bridgestone Corp management reshuffle, which was launched late last year, has continued with further leadership changes at Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) and Bridgestone Asia Pacific (BSCAP).

As part of the restructuring scheme, TJ Higgins, VP and global chief business strategic officer has concurrently been named global chief digital strategic officer; BSAM vice chair of the board; and BSCAP chairman, Bridgestone announced 29 Jan. 

The position of chief digital officer was previously held by Paolo Ferrari, who was recently named member of the board, president, CEO & COO of BSAM, in addition to his roles as executive VP and executive officer of Bridgestone Corp.

Higgins has been tasked to ‘shape the company’s future’ as the chief global officer responsible for business and digital strategy, according to Bridgestone’s outgoing CEO Masaaki Tsuya.

“This expanded role in our global head office acknowledges the dedicated strategic leadership we need to achieve our goals,” Tsuya said referring to Bridgestone’s ambitions to become a “global leader” in advanced mobility and sustainable solutions.

Based in Nashville, Higgins was previously the president of Americas Tire Business for Bridgestone Americas.

Gabriel Asbun, VP and senior officer of Bridgestone Corp., CEO & COO of BSCAP, will succeed Higgins as president of Americas Tire for BSAM and will report to Ferrari.

Additionally, Yoshikazu Shida, VP and officer of Bridgestone Corp. seconded to BSCAP has been named CEO and COO of BSCAP, succeeding Asbun. 

He also remains Chairman of Bridgestone (China) Investment Co., Ltd. and Bridgestone Taiwan Co., Ltd.