Bridgestone installs new COO in Europe, president in Brazil

Tokyo - Bridgestone Corp. has appointed Yves Kerstens as the chief operating officer (COO) of its European division (BSEU), based in Zaventem, Belgium.

Kerstens, 48, joined the company in 2005 as vice president of supply chain management and IT before evolving into other roles including that of chief administrative officer and managing director of the commercial business unit. Prior to joining Bridgestone, he worked at Ernst & Young and Capgemini.

Also, the company has appointed Fabio Fossen as the president of Bridgestone Brazil, succeeding Ariel Depascuali, who is retiring after more than 15 years with the company. Fossen comes to Bridgestone from Coca Cola Femsa, and his main role will be to lead Bridgestone’s expansion and modernisation in Brazil.