People & Careers

From Bridgestone to Big Atom: Emerson’s Next Tyre Chapter

Published:
July 15, 2025
Author:
Oliver Henderson
Bridgestone Veteran Brett Emerson Retires, Joins Recycler Big Atom. | Image: Bridgestone

Since joining Bridgestone as a sales‑order clerk in 1988, Brett Emerson has become one of the UK tyre sector’s most familiar figures. He will step away from Bridgestone on 31 March 2025 and immediately begin advising recycler Big Atom, a move that links decades of commercial experience with the growing push for circular tyre resources.

End of a 35‑Year Bridgestone Journey

Three Stints at Bridgestone

Emerson’s career at Bridgestone spanned three periods: 1988‑1995, 1997‑2014 and 2019‑2025. During that time he rose from sales‑order clerk to Sales Director for the UK & Ireland and most recently Business Unit Director – Consumer Products (North Region) within Bridgestone EMIA.

Key highlights:

□ Launched new sales strategies that helped to expand Bridgestone’s share in passenger, van and 4×4 segments.

□ Guided teams through pandemic‑era market recovery in 2020‑2022.

□ Mentored a generation of account managers and regional leaders.

New Role Supporting Circular Economy at Big Atom

Big Atom, headquartered in Ellesmere Port, operates one of the largest tyre recycling facilities in North‑West England. Emerson will work with the leadership team on commercial growth and new technology deployment as the firm scales towards processing 2.5 million tyres per year and develops chemical recycling pathways.

What Emerson Brings to the Recycler

□ 37 years of tyre‑sector knowledge covering product, sales and corporate strategy.

□ Direct experience at both premium (Bridgestone) and challenger (Hankook) brands, giving insight into diverse market tiers.

□ A track record of launching business units and steering teams through change, skills seen as critical for Big Atom’s next expansion phase.

Industry Context

The UK generates an estimated 50 million used tyres annually. Scaling mechanical and chemical recycling capacity is high on the agenda as manufacturers seek lower‑carbon feedstocks. Appointing seasoned commercial leaders helps recyclers build trusted supply partnerships, secure investment, and accelerate technology deployment. 

Tagged with: Brett Emerson, Bridgestone, Big Atom, tyre recycling, circular economy, leadership change, UK tyre industry

Editorial Standards & Disclaimer
Tyre News Media is an independent industry publication. Our reporting is based on information available at the time of publication, including company announcements, regulatory filings, official data, research and other sources considered reliable.

Articles may include independent analysis and editorial interpretation. Where appropriate, company statements and third-party claims are attributed to their source. Analysis, estimates and forward-looking observations should not be read as statements of established fact.

Tyre News Media takes reasonable steps to ensure accuracy but welcomes corrections, clarifications and responses from organisations or individuals covered in our reporting. If you believe information is inaccurate or requires clarification, please contact info@tyrenews.co.uk. Material errors will be corrected as appropriate.

Commercial relationships, advertising and sponsorship do not determine Tyre News Media's editorial coverage or conclusions.

Let's Shape the Future of the Tyre Industry Together

Whether you're launching a product, sharing innovation, supporting sustainability initiatives or looking to engage with the global tyre industry.
Supporting the Future of the Tyre Industry
Join the organisations supporting the daily conversations shaping the future of the tyre industry.
Become an Official Sponsor
Untitled UI logotextLogo
© 2026 Tyre News Media. All rights reserved.