Bridgestone makes 2 appointments at S.C. plant

AIKEN, S.C. (July 30, 2014) — Bridgestone Americas has made two appointments to the leadership team at its plants in Aiken County and one at its truck tire plant in Warren County, Tenn.

Ron Brooks has been appointed plant manager at the company's new radial off-the-road tire plant, which is scheduled to begin production later this year. He spent much of his career working for Bridgestone and brings experience managing several manufacturing facilities, including the company's tire operations in Warren County and LaVergne, Tenn., and Bloomington, Ill.

“Ron possesses three decades of manufacturing expertise and has a wealth of plant leadership experience, making him the perfect fit to lead our new ORR operations in Aiken County,” said Barry Owens, vice president, manufacturing for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.

“We are excited to have Brooks head up the...team in Aiken — managing this important capital investment for our company, as well as leading our drive to become a premier place to work.”

Bridgestone also has appointed Fran Jones plant manager for the company's passenger and light truck tire plant in Aiken County. Ms. Jones, previously vice president, administrative services, at the company's Aiken plant, succeeds John Stewart, who was recently appointed plant manager for the tire maker's operations in Warren County, Tenn.

“Fran has made a huge impact for Bridgestone as a leader in human resources,” Mr. Owens said, adding that she will “continue to produce great results” as the Aiken plant's new manager, “and her track record of success will only increase with time.”

In April 2013, Nashville-based Bridgestone completed a two-phase expansion at its passenger/LT operations in Aiken County, increasing the plant's footprint to 2.42 million square feet and resulting in a rated production capacity of 37,350 tires per day, or 13.4 million tires annually.