MAM
Bridgestone India’s MD Parag Satpute dons global role
Mumbai: Tyres and sustainable mobility solutions provider Bridgestone India has announced that its managing director, Parag Satpute, will be assuming a new global role in Bridgestone’s Solutions business and will be stationed in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He is succeeded by Stefano Sanchini, who will assume Satpute’s role at Bridgestone India. These leadership changes will be effective 1 January 2023 onwards.
Satpute assumed the role of managing director of Bridgestone India in November 2017. It was during his tenure that Bridgestone India reinforced its position in the Indian market and gained a leadership position. In recent years, the company has expanded its operations in terms of capacity as well as expertise, launching a solutions business and tyre-as-a-service for its customers.
On his move into a global role, Satpute said, “It has been an enriching experience heading Bridgestone India and working alongside a dedicated team that saw Bridgestone India gain leadership in the Indian market. The last few years have been as rewarding as they have been challenging, and I am pleased to see the fruit of our efforts. I am also excited and looking forward to contributing towards Bridgestone’s ambitions as a global leader in mobility solutions.”
Sanchini moves from his current role as vice president for the region of the Middle East & Africa (MEA). He will take up the position of managing director, Bridgestone India, and will be based out of Pune, India. Sanchini has been with Bridgestone since 2017 as sales director for MEA and was appointed vice president of region for MEA in 2019.
“I am looking forward to working in India. India is one of the most diverse markets, and it comes with its own challenges, which the current team has remarkably addressed. As we move into new technologies and mobility solutions, the Indian market is going to be a focus area, and I am happy to be here as we spread out these solutions to the vast Indian customer base,” said Sanchini.
Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
