Page 8 - CTB N10 - 2015-02

NEWS
Bridgestone Appoints Guy Jones to Key Business Development Role
Diplomat Coaches, notes: “I have been working in the industry for almost 30 years and Michelin continues to teach me new things; the ongoing exchange of information is an invaluable tool for London operators.”
The Michelin team provides regular updates on legislation and information on professional tyre care by meeting members and writing bespoke content for the LTCOA newsletter. Key areas of focus over the last 12 months have been the importance of tyre pressure maintenance and expert guidance on how to minimise wear.
Reynolds explains how the relationship with Michelin developed: “For a number of years Michelin has supplied the majority of our members with tyres and we saw a natural
opening to make them an integral part of our organisation. It’s put a wealth of technical expertise at the fingertips of all of our members and delivers real added-value.
“With more than 3,000 coach movements taking place in London every day, operators know how important it is to invest in quality tyres, as they are the only part of the vehicle in direct contact with the road. Tyres play a critical role in maintaining passenger safety and we’re delighted Michelin is continuing to work closely with us.”
The LTCOA is a trade body which acts to represent coach companies who operate in the Greater London area.
Bridgestone’s north region senior management team has been boosted with the addition of an industry- respected sales and marketing director to head-up a new business development role.
Guy Jones brings a wealth of
has lead the commercial team to successfully re-launch MG in Europe, making it the fastest growing automotive brand in the UK in 2014. As north region business development director, Jones’ main objective will be to manage the delivery of a number of
Zenises Hosts Westlake Partners Day
From 14th to 17th March, at the five star Grand Hyatt Erawan in downtown Bangkok, Zenises recently celebrated its 2015 Westlake European Partners event. Joined by dealers and distributors from across Europe as well as by leading dignitaries from Zhongce Rubber (the producer of the Westlake tyre
brand), Zenises co-ordinated several days of spectacular events to thank its guests for their participation in growing the Westlake brand over the past year.
Visits to amazing Buddhist temples and the world renowned ‘floating market’ were coupled with spectacular dining and entertainment, including ‘Dinner at the Dome’. Located on the 63rd floor of the State Tower, this is the highest alfresco restaurant in the world and Westlake guests were entertained by specially chosen musicians direct from Chicago, the home of rhythm and blues music.
This followed the Westlake conference at which Mr. Ge Gourong, Zhongce’s CEO, expressed his thanks to those
attending for continuing the development of the Westlake brand in Europe as well as laying out his vision for the brand going forward.
Building on its strengths in the commercial segment where Zhongce is now the third largest producer of tyres in the world, a new range of Westlake truck and
bus tyres has been developed to support European growth based on the required performance criteria of the leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles.
Mr. Jorge Crespo, European General Manager for Zenises, commented that: “It’s been a great occasion for Westlake and the partners of Zenises to come together. The sights and hospitality have truly remarkable and have set the scene for our continued success throughout 2015. The new product range is really performing and the substantial investment in product research and development will definitely help strengthen the Westlake name in Europe”.
automotive experience to the new Bridgestone management team. He started his career with Land Rover developing Range Rover, then became global brand manager at Bentley, playing a key role in the development of the Continental GT.
As marketing director of Kia he established the company as a volume brand in the UK and most recently he
key projects as part of a process to transform the sales and profitability of the European business, working across the commercial and consumer divisions in the UK and Ireland as well as the Nordic regions. Jones will work alongside sales and marketing directors Farrell Dolan (consumer) and John Folliss (commercial), reporting to managing director Robin Shaw.
Michelin Helps LTCOA Make London’s Roads Safer
Michelin will continue its work with the London Tourist Coach Operators Association (LTCOA) to improve safety on the capital’s roads following the renewal of its sponsorship agreement for the second consecutive year.
The relationship with the LTCOA, which represents 30 companies
operating in and around London, enables members to take advantage of Michelin’s unparalleled expertise – including access to its team of technical managers.
Sue Reynolds, Director of Development and Administration of the LTCOA and a Director at Reynolds
8 Commercial Tyre Business