Bridgestone Announces Leadership Transition in EMEA
Bridgestone EMEA has announced a leadership transition. Laurent Dartoux, Group President of Bridgestone EMEA, has decided to retire. He will also transition out of his roles as Vice President and Senior Officer of Bridgestone Corporation. To facilitate a smooth transition, Laurent will serve in an advisory capacity until the end of March 2025.
Effective February 1, 2025, Mete Ekin will succeed Laurent as Group President of Bridgestone EMEA. Mete brings nearly 30 years of experience in the tire industry, having most recently led sales teams across the Middle East and Africa before joining the Bridgestone Joint Global COO Office in 2023 and moving to his current role as President of Core Tire Europe in 2024.
Mete will lead the Bridgestone EMEA Management Board, reporting directly to Scott Damon, CEO of Bridgestone West, which includes the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Laurent joined Bridgestone EMEA in 2014 and has been instrumental in navigating the region through the global pandemic and other significant challenges. Under his leadership, Bridgestone EMEA has made progress towards its sustainability targets.
"We are deeply grateful for Laurent's contributions and thoughtful leadership throughout his career at Bridgestone," said Scott Damon, CEO of Bridgestone West and Group President of Bridgestone Americas. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Laurent for his dedication and leadership and wish him all the best in his retirement. We also look forward to Mete's leadership. His extensive experience and strategic vision make him the ideal leader to guide Bridgestone EMEA into its next chapter."
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Laurent for his leadership and for overcoming various important challenges in the EMEA region over the past 10 years,” said Shu Ishibashi, Global CEO of Bridgestone Corporation. “His contributions will serve as our cornerstone for growth as we enter the next chapter under Mete’s leadership.”
About Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Bridgestone EMEA) is the regional Strategic Business Unit of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions. Headquartered in Zaventem (Belgium), Bridgestone EMEA employs more than 14,000 people and conducts business in 35 countries across the region.
Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tyres, tyre technologies and advanced mobility solutions. The company’s vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, our customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business.
For more information about Bridgestone in EMEA, please visit our newsroom and www.bridgestone.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.