Bridgestone suspending Russia manufacturing activities, imports

As of Friday 18 March 2022, Bridgestone Corporation will suspend its manufacturing activities in Russia until further notice. This production stop will take place after “the necessary preparations” are made. The company has also decided to freeze any new investments and suspend all exports to Russia with immediate effect.

“Over the last weeks, we have been deeply affected by the war in Ukraine and its impact on many innocent people including our own employees and partners,” shares Bridgestone in a statement published today. “We condemn any form of violence and hope that peace can quickly be re-established. Our primary concern in this crisis, is the safety of our employees and their families.”

The company says it continues to care for its more than 1,000 employees in the passenger tyre production plant in Ulyanovsk as well as in its sales offices. It will therefore keep supporting its employees financially at this time. “As the situation further unfolds, Bridgestone’s global and regional management will continue to closely monitor the situation and flexibly adapt plans when needed. We expect manufacturing output outside Russia to remain stable in the coming weeks,” adds Bridgestone.

Many Bridgestone employees have participated in spontaneous volunteer activities to support the refugees from Ukraine, and Bridgestone EMIA has made a 1 million Euro donation to the Red Cross, in addition to the 2.5 million Euro donated by Bridgestone Corporation to UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). “We will continue to evaluate how we can help alleviate the humanitarian crisis,” states the company.