Bridgestone's Saoud to deliver NATRE keynote address

NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 10, 2017) — Joseph Saoud, president of North American truck, bus and retread business for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, will deliver the keynote address at the North American Tire & Retread Expo (NATRE), April 19-21, in New Orleans.

Mr. Saoud highlights the conference's educational program that has doubled in size from the 2016 event and now features tracks for commercial tire dealers/retreaders and retail tire dealers/auto service professionals.

The third annual conference and trade show, held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, is targeted at retail and commercial tire dealers, retreaders, auto service professionals, suppliers and others allied to the industry.

Mr. Saoud joined Bridgestone in October 2016 from Commercial Vehicle Group Inc., a global supplier of cab and other vehicle-related products for the commercial vehicle market, where he was president, global construction, agriculture and military. Prior to that he was with Cummins Inc.

At Bridgestone, Mr. Saoud is responsible for driving the long-term growth strategy for the TBR and retread business and oversees the development and delivery of innovative products, technologies and services that drive value for fleets, OE manufacturers and dealers.

He joins a lineup of conference speakers that includes, for the Commercial/Retread track:

• Clif Armstrong, CEO, TP Industrial NAFTA; president, TP Commercial Solutions L.L.C., a division of Pirelli Industrial Tire; "Competitive Factors in the North American Commercial Tire Industry;"

• Peggy Fisher, president, TireStamp Inc., "Telematics in the Commercial Tire Industry."

• Paul Dvorak, CEO, America Industrial Tire Corp., "Profiting from Solid Industrial, Skid Steer and Telehandler Tires;"

• Hugo Sandberg, senior sales manager, molded products and business development, Hexpol AB, "Envelope Management — Making Your Investment Last;"

• Noll Saunders, risk management consultant, Huler Hermes, "How to Protect and Grow your Business with Trade Credit Insurance." and

• David Stevens, managing director, Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau, who will moderate a panel featuring Tim BeVier of Tech International; Rick Majewski of Wilson County Tire & Retreading; Bill Waezeggers of Pomp's Tire & Auto Service Inc.; and Darin Weber of Transworld Casings Supply.

The Passenger/Light Truck Program includes:

• Bob Bittner, director of store operations, Tire Pros, "Measure Twice, Cut Once";

• Art Blumenthal, principal, Art Blumenthal L.L.C., "What Can I Do Now to Ensure the Highest Value of My Business Whenever I Want to Sell It?"
• Jody DeVere, CEO, Ask Patty.com. "Insights into Marketing and Advertising to Women;"

• Pam Oakes, principal, Car Care for the Clueless/DIY Motor City. "Tech vs. Service Writer: Making Money & Keeping Peace in the Bays";

• Mike Hudgins, director of sales, Mighty Auto Parts, "12 Ways to Grow Service Profits in 2017"; and

• John Rice, director of TPMS products and support, "Servicing TPMS has Never Been Easier, and So is Making a Profit."

The educational program is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. each day of the conference, followed by the expo.

To register, visit www.usatireexpo.com. For exhibitor/sponsorship information, contact Christine Zernick, sales director for Tire Business, at [email protected] or 330-865-6108.