Bridgestone Retail Operations Announces New PresidentCrum to lead retail operations in the United States
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 15, 2013) ― Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) today announced that Stuart (Stu) Crum has been named president, Bridgestone Retail Operations, effective August 5.
“At Bridgestone Americas, we are focused on delivering exceptional experiences that exceed the expectations of our customers and help grow our business,” said Gordon Knapp, President, Consumer U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, BATO. “I am confident that Stu’s experience in training and developing people, his drive for operational excellence and his keen understanding of consumers will ensure that we continue to provide the best service, the highest quality products and the right solutions to meet the needs of all of our customers.”
Crum has nearly thirty years of experience in automotive retail, most recently serving as president of Jiffy Lube International, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. In that role, Crum was responsible for the oversight of more than 2,100 franchised service centers throughout North America which serve approximately 22 million customers annually. Prior to leading efforts at Jiffy Lube, Crum held roles of increasing responsibility within Shell, including Vice President of National Accounts North American Automotive Consumer Products; General Manager Strategy & Portfolio North America; General Manager Sales & Operations Caribbean, Central America, Northern South America; and Director of Marketing. Crum joined Shell from Texaco Inc., where he worked for 15 years in several different marketing and retail capacities.
Crum earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Tulsa, where he attended on a full football scholarship before spending three years as a place kicker in the NFL and USFL.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations; the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses; the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses; and Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate 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 are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.