Bridgestone Americas will rename its operations as part of a restructuring effort aimed at clarifying its corporate identity.

As of January, 2009, Bridgestone Americas Holding will simply become Bridgestone Americas. Bridgestone Firestone Canada will be renamed Bridgestone Canada Inc.

Meanwhile, Asahiko 'Duke' Nishiyama will lead the restructured Bridgestone Americas, and will oversee the Canadian commercial tire businesses. Saul A. Solomon will report to Nishiyama, serving as president, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions and overseeing the Canadian commercial tire sales division. Scott Gateley will serve as general manager, tube business, US and Canada commercial tire sales division and will report to Solomon.

'This new structure will allow us to provide even greater focus on our overall tire business in the Americas, and it will align us more closely with the regional business model that Bridgestone Corporation is promoting for all of its global tire operations,' said Mark Emkes, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas. 'The structure we are introducing today will also reflect the Bridgestone Group's desire for global standardization in the way we go to market, providing our international customers a consistent business model that they can rely on regardless of their geographic region.'

The company also announced a couple of key promotions. Doyle Bradford, director of strategic channels, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions, has been promoted to vice-president of sales. And Tim Chen, vice-president, innovation has been promoted to the position of vice-president of marketing, effective Nov. 1. Both will report to Kurt Danielson, vice-president, sales and marketing for Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions.