Bridgestone Is Running Ahead Of Competition In The USA

The year 2000 tyre recall, with all its consequences and financial difficulties, is more or less over. Sales in North America are strong, plus the performance of the Firestone brand has been stabilised, while the Bridgestone brand managed a growth of 30%, said John Lampe, CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding Inc. yesterday on TV.

The fact that Lampe (who has turned out to be a charismatic leader by virtue of his tough battle with his biggest customer Ford, admired by all Bridgestone/Firestone employees in America) appeared on TV this week is another blow for the morale of Goodyear people. Last week they were told by CEO Gibara and his successor from the 1st of January next year, Keegan, that the Corporation has lost market share and has been unable to produce good results on its home market so far. This is forcing the company into the next round of restructuring and cost saving measures.

According to Gibara the company is no longer able to pay the health costs at the same high rates as in the past, but has to reduce these costs immediately. This is a consequence, said Gibara, of fierce competition. Employees also fear that the company might lay off thousands more associates in order to reduce costs.