Bridgestone SA appoints new CEO

Gavin Young

Making the announcement, Bridgestone's senior vice president for the CMA region (which includes Russia, Turkey, the Middle East and Africa), Hakan Bayman, paid tribute to Halforty's 19 years of service, many of them spent at the Port Elizabeth and Brits plants, before he was appointed COO in 2012 and CEO in 2014.

“Mike has put his life and soul into the company and the Bridgestone brand, and I thank him on behalf of the global Bridgestone family for that dedication,” Bayman said. “Mike will support Gavin in the transition over the next three months.”

Young (57), is a process engineer by profession and has more than 30 years of industrial experience, having held senior leadership roles in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Bayman said that Young's role will be to engage the entire organisation to drive growth and profitability in the South African market over the next few years. “I wish Gavin and Mike all the very best in the future,” he concluded.