Ex-TBC exec Doster to head Linglong's new N.A. subsidiary

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Chinese tire manufacturer Linglong Tire Group is launching a wholly owned subsidiary, Linglong N.A. Sales based in Palm Beach Gardens, and has hired former TBC Corp. executive Geoff Doster to be its president.

Considered the No. 13 tire maker worldwide based on fiscal 2021 sales of $2.9 billion, Linglong Tire said it is committed to serving North American customers, building stronger channels of sale and expanding the reach of its product portfolio.

After months of market investigation and strategic planning, Linglong Tire said it decided to establish the new company, Linglong N.A. Sales, to expand its existing footprint in North America.

"The new subsidiary will harness the expertise and talent of a cohort of accomplished industry professionals, dedicated to propelling Linglong Tire to new heights in the foreseeable future," the company said in a statement.

Zhaoyuan City, China-headquartered Linglong has maintained a U.S. liaison company, Linglong Americas Inc. in Medina, Ohio, which will continue operating for R&D and administrative functions, the company said. The focus of the Palm Beach Gardens office will be on North American sales.

Doster most recently held the roles of TBC executive vice president, as well as president and COO of TBC Brands overseeing all TBC brands and international sales initiatives, including customer service, commercial tire sales, equipment and non-tire sales and operations.

Doster's tenure at TBC spanned nearly two decades, and prior to that, he spent six years at Michelin North America Inc., focusing primarily on sales planning, operations and training initiatives.

"I'm deeply honored to have been identified as the leader to spearhead the North American growth initiatives for Linglong Tire and eager to begin supporting our customers, dedicated teammates, valued partners and the industry as a whole," Doster said.

"The prospect of shaping the future of a brand that values quality, customers and teammates while striving to be a first-class enterprise is both exciting and rewarding."

As president of Linglong N.A. sales, Doster will lead initiatives geared toward enhancing brand awareness, cultivating marketing programs that create value for tire dealers and assessing the value of all product segments that Linglong Tire offers, the company said.

His first major initiative is the establishment of a leadership team in North America.

"Geoff is a respected leader in our industry, and I'm confident that his extensive experience, leadership style and entrepreneurial spirit will continue to propel us forward as we navigate our journey of strategic growth while never straying from our foundation, core values and steadfast commitment to our customers and the communities we serve," Linglong Tire's Chairman and CEO Wang Feng said.

Linglong Tire has seven tire plants and R&D centers and a workforce of more than 17,000 employees producing passenger, commercial and specialty tires.It most recently opened a factory in Zrenjanin, Serbia.