Shoshi Arakawa
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
He joined the company in April 1968 and in March 1992 was sent to Thai Bridgestone as President. He became a Director in March 1997, and in March 2001, as Managing Director, was sent to Bridgestone/Firestone Europe as Chairman and CEO. He became Director with the status of Managing Executive Officer in March 2002, Director and Senior Executive Officer in March 2003, Representative Director and Senior Executive Officer in March 2005, and Representative Director and Executive Vice President that July.
Selection
In March 2006 he moved up from Representative Director and Executive Vice President to President, succeeding Shigeo Watanabe. In the fiscal year before he took office, ended December 2005, revenue was ¥2,691.3 billion, operating income ¥213.8 billion and net income ¥180.7 billion, with 123,727 employees. At the end of that year the largest shareholder was the Ishibashi Foundation with 9.21%, and Hiroshi Ishibashi held 3.25%, so the founding family and its foundation ranked at the top. He was appointed from an international career, having headed local subsidiaries in Thailand and Europe.
Initiatives
In July 2006 the company set up Bridgestone Asia Pacific in Singapore to oversee Asia, Oceania and India. In North America it closed the Oklahoma plant in 2006 and in 2009 ended passenger tire production at the La Vergne plant in Tennessee. In 2010 it replaced its U.S. management team. Rebuilding the Americas business, more than 20 years after the acquisition, was at the center of his tenure.
Career
Career
Bridgestone
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Apr 1968 | Joined |
| Mar 1992 | Dispatched to THAI BRIDGESTONE CO., LTD. |
| Mar 1997 | Director |
| Mar 2001 | Dispatched to BRIDGESTONE, FIRESTONEEUROPE S.A. as Managing Director |
| Mar 2002 | 取締役常務執行役員待遇 (translation pending) |
| Mar 2003 | Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer |
| Mar 2005 | Representative Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer |
| Jul 2005 | Representative Director, Executive Vice President |
| Mar 2006 | Representative Director, President |
| Mar 2012 | Stepped down as President |