Page 154 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK TWO "BOSTON 1960 TO 1970"

THE CHANGES
Under the new scheme of things, a regional manager had
been appointed over us at Lincoln District Office and he was
based at the larger Firestone Nottingham Office. To add insult
to injury, the Regional Manager appointed by the new
American bosses had previously been a “toilet roll” salesman.
He had no knowledge of the tyre or motor trade but was
good at using high pressure methods and bamboozling his
clients and staff! Fred, my immediate boss no longer had
direct access to London Head Office where the “new” American
management team were determined to make even more
sweeping changes.

Firestone UK had been independent of the American parent
ever since its inception in the 1930’s. Lincoln District had
always been one of the most successful in the whole UK under
Fred’s guidance right from its original opening in the 1950’s.
Fossitt and Thorne with their huge existing Firestone
turnover became categorised as a “special client”. An account
only to be handled by “senior” management. Our new regional
manager entered the scene with a swagger and began to throw
his weight about. (Not difficult for he was a very large man.)
Fred and I and the salesman for North Lincolnshire were
under strict instructions from Firestone HQ to have nothing
further to do with the Fossitt and Thorne business.

The “new” American London bosses had no concept of how
local business operated and thought they could push us locals
out as we were considered unimportant “pawns”.

FOSSITT AND THORNE
My boss Fred, whose confidence in me had gained me my
position with Firestone had created the initial contact with

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