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News

Bridgestone Firestone Announces Latin American Management Appointments

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 9, 2007) – Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations (BFLA), an operating unit of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) has announced the following appointments effective August 1, 2007.

  • Oscar Rodriguez, currently President, Bridgestone Firestone Venezolana, C.A.
    (BFVZ), will be appointed President, Bridgestone Firestone de Costa Rica, S.A. (BFCR).  Rodriguez succeeds Humberto Gomez, who was appointed President, Bridgestone Firestone do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda. earlier this year.

  • Alfredo A. Orán, will be appointed President, BFVZ.

Rodriguez, who first joined BFVZ in 1986 as a quality inspector and an hourly paid worker in that company’s plant, has held positions of increasing responsibility both in manufacturing and in the company’s sales and marketing organization. Prior to his assignment as President of BFVZ in December 2004, Rodriguez held a variety of significant positions, such as Production Supervisor; Process Engineer; Division Manager, Tire Building and Curing; Domestic Sales Manager; Sales and Marketing Director; Vice President Sales and Marketing; and Vice President Manufacturing Operations. Rodriguez holds a Systems Engineering degree from the Universidad de Los Andes and a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Carabobo.

Orán, a 26-year veteran of manufacturing, purchasing and engineering operations, has earned several degrees, including a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters degree in Marketing and Business from the Universidad de Carabobo, as well as a Masters in Management from the G.M. Institute. His prior work experience includes serving as General Manager of Dana Corp. – Venezuela and Materials Management Manager, General Motors Venezuela.

In making today’s announcement, Eduardo Minardi, President of BFLA, said “Our Costa Rican operations are a critical link in Bridgestone Americas’ successful manufacturing and sales strategy, and I am confident that Oscar is the right person at the right time to build on the accomplishments and momentum we are experiencing at BFCR.” In describing Orán, Minardi said, “Alfredo is an experienced manufacturing executive with an understanding of both the importance of a global focus and the ability to work effectively in a local environment. He will be a great asset to the company.

About Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations:
Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. maintains an established and strong presence in Latin America through the subsidiaries that make up the operating unit known as Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations.  BFLA, through six manufacturing and sales subsidiaries, operates seven tire production plants – two each in Mexico and Brazil, and one each in Argentina, Costa Rica and Venezuela – along with proving grounds in Acuna, Mexico and Sao Pedro, Brazil.  BFLA has the largest number of points of sale of any tire manufacturer in the region, with more than 2,000 locations.

About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.:
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation. BSAH, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies also produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.