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Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.

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Bridgestone Firestone Employee Contract Extension Approved

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) has announced that a substantial majority of workers at its Bloomington, Illinois OTR tyre facility have voted in favour of extending a contract covering work conditions through to 2012.

The agreement between BFNT and Local 787 of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW) covers 300 employees at the plant, which makes large heavy-duty off road tyres for construction and mining applications. Under the agreement, workers at the facility will receive the same wage and benefit provisions contained in a separate “master” contract between the USW and the company as other BFNT locations and have agreed to a no-strike clause during the entire term of the extension.

13th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

US to Impose Duties on Chinese OTR Tyres

The US Department of Commerce has decided upon the implementation of countervailing duties on new OTR tyres imported from China, a move based upon assertions that the manufacturers of these products are financially benefiting from Chinese government subsidies. The Department found that OTR tyre manufacturers in China received subsidies including loans from government-owned banks, tax breaks, government grants, and access to low-cost rubber and land, with subsidy margins for Chinese tyremakers ranging from 2.38 to 6.59 per cent.

13th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Names 17 Excellence Centres

Bridgestone UK has unveiled 17 Centres of Excellence as part of a new reward scheme for its national First Stop network of independent tyre dealerships. The First Stop Quality Program replaces the Stars initiative. Instead of being rated as three, four or five star outlets, businesses can now qualify as Accredited Centres or Centres of Excellence. The Program covers areas such as depot appearance, staff training, telephone technique and public relations, with the top performing outlets eligible for new First Stop signage, certificates, a crystal trophy and shopping vouchers. The 2008 Quality Program is scheduled to get underway in March.

12th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Increase Prices in all European Markets

Bridgestone Europe has announced price increases for all tyre brands and categories in every European market. Passenger car, 4×4, and light commercial vehicle tyre prices will rise by between three and five per cent, while all other sectors will be subject to increases of between five and ten per cent. These price adjustments are scheduled to be implemented as of February 1, 2008.

12th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Aiming for 40% of Oman PCR Market

While visiting Oman for the launch of Bridgestone’s Adrenalin Potenza RE001 tyre, the company’s general manager for the Gulf, East Africa and Nigeria, Takahiro Mitsui, spoke about the company’s activities and ambitions for the region, and the measures being taken to ensure global supply keeps pace with demand.

According to Mitsui, Bridgestone holds 30 per cent of Oman’s passenger car tyre aftermarket. This high percentage, he believes, is in part the result of the predominance of Japanese cars sold on this market, most of which arrive fitted with Bridgestone as OE. The activities of Bridgestone’s regional distributor, Towell Auto Centre, is another key factor, said Mitsui. From a solitary outlet in 2001 the distributor has expanded to 16 outlets by 2007. However the general manager believes that, should a sufficient supply of tyres become available, Bridgestone could feasibly hold 40 per cent of this market segment. Across all market segments, Bridgestone currently holds 35 per cent of the market.

12th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Major Supplier US Zinc Sold

Aluminium and alloy products manufacturer Aleris International has agreed to sell its zinc business, which operates under the name US Zinc, to affiliates of Brazil’s Votorantim Metais Ltda. for US$295 million, with certain adjustments for working capital and other items. Closure of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

US Zinc is a supplier to a number of companies within the tyre industry, including tyre majors Goodyear, Bridgestone and Michelin. Amongst other items the company produces value-added zinc products, including zinc oxide, which is utilised in the vulcanisation of rubber products. US Zinc operates six zinc facilities in the United States and a newly built zinc oxide facility in China, located outside of Shanghai.

11th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone US Retail Division Phasing Out Lead Weights

At the start of 2008 Bridgestone’s retail arm in the US, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) will begin offering its customers steel wheel balance weights, replacing millions of lead wheel weights each year with more a ecologically sensitive counterpart.

Customers who visit Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire or Wheel Works service centres will have the new steel wheel weights installed when they buy new tyres or have their existing tyres balanced. “We implemented this innovative plan because we believe that using steel wheel weights will have a positive environmental impact,” said BFRC environmental manager John Sheerin. “We are hopeful that others in the automotive repair industry will follow suit and join BFRC in promoting the use of steel wheel weights.”

7th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Mythos Wins Australian Tyre Test

The Marangoni Mythos UHP has come top in a tyre test conducted by Australia’s Motor Magazine. The success in the magazine comparison test comes just a year after the Marangoni new tyre brand was launched in the Australian market. Competing tyres tested included: Bridgestone Potenza RE050; Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3; Falken FK 452; Dunlop SP Sport Maxx and Maxxis MA-Z1. Motor’s test driver commented: “These [Mythos tyres] had a tonne of grip. They were sharp, balanced; really nice. In fact, they were so confidence-inspiring that you really didn’t mind having a hot go with them, because you knew they’d hang in there. They were also great on change of direction and super stable under brakes. I like them a lot.”

7th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Liberia Extends Charity Assistance Scheme

Bridgestone’s subsidiary in the African nation of Liberia, Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC, has announced that its cargo donation program will be extended throughout 2008. The program, which began in 2006 with the aim of helping to rebuild the civil war ravaged West African country, provides space for relief goods and other donated cargo from aid organisations on ships operated by Firestone Liberia. To date more than 30 aid organisations have signed up to ship donated goods – including medicine, vitamins, food, generators and building materials.

7th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Japan’s Trade Commission Issues Order Against Rubber Hose Cartel

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission is taking steps against Bridgestone and four international companies that have since May been under the spotlight for rubber marine hose price fixing. The competition watchdog intends to issue an administrative order to the companies to ensure the cessation of any remaining cartel activities, the first time such an order has been issued to foreign companies. The four international companies are the UK’s Dunlop Oil and Marine, a unit of Sweden’s Trelleborg AB, and Italy’s Parker ITR and Manuli Rubber Industries.

7th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Wins 2-Year Dawsongroup Contract

Dawsongroup plc has awarded Bridgestone UK a new two-year tyre contract that runs until January 2010. Under the arrangement Bridgestone UK will supply OE, new replacement and retreaded truck tyres. Greg Ward, Bridgestone UK Commercial Director, said: “We are really pleased to have been awarded this contract. Over the last 12 months we have worked very hard to understand every aspect of their business and fleet requirements. We can build on this foundation and further develop our relationship with the Dawsongroup plc.”

7th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Changes OTR/Agri Tyre Management

(Tire Review/Akron) The impending retirement of Ralph Burchfield, president of its off-road tyre group, has created a number of management changes at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. Burchfield has opted to retire at the end of this year, ending a 36-year career with the company. As a result, BFNAT is “streamlining” its OTR and agricultural tyre businesses, with three group vice presidents now reporting to BFNAT President Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama.

Heading the agricultural tyre group will be vice president Kenneth Allen, formerly executive director of sales and marketing for Firestone Agricultural Tire Co. Leading the OTR group will be Shawn Rasey, formerly executive director of the OTR group. Heading up the tube group will be Scott Gateley, general manager.

5th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFMO President Wada to Retire

Masao Wada, a 37-year veteran of the Bridgestone group of companies and current president of President of Bridgestone Firestone Manufacturing Operations (BFMO), had taken the decision to retire as of March 1, 2008. Wada will also retire from his positions as executive vice president and member of the Board of Directors of Bridgestone Americas Holding. Succeeding Wada in the role of president will be incumbent BFMO vice president Steven Brooks, whose appointment commences on January 1, 2008 in order to provide for a smooth management transition.

5th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Firestone Mexico to Close Mexico City Plant

Bridgestone Americas Holding subsidiary Bridgestone Firestone de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (BFMX), announced on December 3 that it will close its tyre factory in Mexico City during the second half of 2008. This is a decision the company has described as “difficult”, but one believed to be necessary as “essential expansion of the plant is not feasible.”

In a statement Bridgestone Americas reported: “Due to its location in a metropolitan area, the complexities surrounding the ownership of the underlying land, the plant’s age (the building was constructed in 1937), intense competition from low-cost producers and a shrinking overall market for the products it builds, the company stated that it has no choice but to close the Mexico City Plant.”

4th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Announces Management Changes

Bridgestone Corporation announced on November 28 that its Board of Directors has approved the following proposals of the changes in Member of the Board and in Corporate Officers. The following board member will undergo changes in position and responsibilities, effective January 1, 2008.

– Toru TSUDA

New position and responsibilities: Vice president and senior officer responsible for products development, tyre products development, tyre research and material development.

Current position and responsibilities: Vice president and senior officer responsible for products development, tyre products development.

30th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors