Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has formed an integrated mining tire business unit.

The new business unit, Bridgestone Mining Solutions, combines all mining tire sales, service and sales engineering, as well as a select group of U.S. and Canadian stores, into one integrated structure. Shawn Rasey will lead the new organization as vice president of Bridgestone Mining Solutions.

“We are very excited to begin this new chapter with our mining tire business,” said Kurt Danielson, president of Bridgestone Commercial Solutions. “The formation of Bridgestone Mining Solutions will allow us to enhance our mining offerings and be more responsive to our mining customers’ needs.”

Bridgestone says the new unit will employ around 300 people. The company ramped up its ultra-large tire operation last fall, announcing a $970 million investment at a new plant in South Carolina to produce off-the-road radial tires.