Bridgestone Europe Takes Full Control of Bandag EMEA
On January 2 Bridgestone Europe NV/SA announced it has assumed full control of Bandag EMEA through the purchase of all of the shares in that company from Bridgestone Americas.
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Bridgestone Aim to be Top of the Tree
NewsThe growth of the Bridgestone Truck Point network of independent tyre dealers, coupled with a series of company-initiated fleet gains has led to increased Bridgestone influence in the UK commercial vehicle truck market. At the time of going to press, the Truck Point network covered 306 outlets, with 1000 service vans, managing 50 centrally billed national fleet customers. (Including Europe, the total swells to 2349 outlets in 28 countries). This year, Bridgestone’s truck tyre sales development culminated with the acquisition of the manufacturer’s first four bus contracts – Thamesdown, First Bus, Veolia and Plymouth City Bus – a move that marks the manufacturer’s progression into the passenger carrying commercial vehicle market.
2008 also saw Bridgestone cement its first concrete deal in conjunction with Bandag. From now on 13 Larfarge locations, not to mention Cemex lorries will be running on Bridgestone products. The latter contract, for Cemex’s aggregates and cement fleet is said to be worth £1.6 million and represents a three-year contract. Looking forward into 2009, Bridgestone is planning to significantly increase its retread offering. First of all the company has announced that it will introduce a new Qualitread size (385/55 R22.5), which is being introduced as a result of Bridgestone’s recent bus fleet success. This will be followed by a number of other retread size additions.
Audit success
As 2008 drew to a close, Bridgestone UK held a series of Truck Point dealer roadshows designed to bring dealer partners up to speed with the latest developments. One of the key messages communicated to the network was of the importance of increasing the depth and quality of fleet checks, a message which comes off the back of significant investment from the tyre manufacturer in a complete “expert dealer” external auditing programme.
Details of the first three truck tyre dealers to successfully achieve expert level status in the Truck Point Dealer Audit Programme were given at the end of April 2007; with a further 46 named in October that year. However, the scheme has proved so successful that by the time the 2008 Truck Point roadshow came round the total had shot up to 73, roughly a quarter of the network as a whole.
Bridgestone/Truck Point’s scheme utilises the services of the world-renowned audit inspectors, Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). By adopting this approach, both Truck Point dealers and existing and potential fleet customers can be assured of the quality of services being offered. The general feeling of those representing Bridgestone and Truck Point in front of the increasing number of fleet customers being won by the Japanese manufacturer, is that comprehensive auditing is a real “currency” when it comes to negotiating contracts.
According to Bridgestone representatives, the focus of the audit programme is to recognise the high service standards expert level dealers work to, while at the same time, continuously improving the service standards of the entire network. The Expert Level Truck Point Audit Programme audits customer service provision, casing management, health & safety policy, equipment checks, administration, invoicing and training within Truck Point dealers.
The LRQA audit programme forms part of Bridgestone’s comprehensive Total Fleet Management package. This offers fleets a full supply and support service for their tyres, covering premium product supply, expert service levels, casing management, fleet checks, full reporting, environmental and health and safety policies as well as on-line invoice checking.
The latest additions to Bridgestone’s growing list of expert dealers are: Baron Tyres, Capital Tyres, Chase Tyres, County Tyres, Elmbridge Tyres, ETB, Gordons Tyres, Harris Bros, Jetyres, Kingsway Tyres, Link Tyre Sales, Lodge Tyres, McConechy's, Nation Tyres, Robbs Tyres, Tanvic Tyres, Town & Country, Tyre Maintenance, TyreWork, two branches of Watling Tyres and finally WH Tyres.
Bridgestone Bandag Announces Redundancies
Product NewsAn announcement made by Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) on December 3 signals the end of the line for its Oncor Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) plant in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, redundancies are being made at other US sites. Approximately 60 jobs will be lost in total; Bridgestone says the closure and redundancies are occurring in response to reduced demand for its truck tyres and retreads, as well as an alignment of operations under the Bandag name.
Bridgestone Gain Bus Contracts
NewsThe growth of the Bridgestone Truck Point network of independent tyre dealers, coupled with a series of company-initiated fleet gains has led to increased Bridgestone influence in the UK commercial vehicle truck market. At the time of going to press, the Truck Point network covered 306 outlets, 1000 service vans, managing 50 centrally billed national fleet customers. (Including Europe, it swells to 2349 outlets in 28 countries). This year, Bridgestone’s truck tyre sales development culminated with the acquisition of the manufacturer’s first four bus contracts – Thamesdown, First Bus, Veolia and Plymouth City Bus.
Bandag Adds New Sizes to R250 ED Range
Product NewsBridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) is adding two sizes to its line-up of Bridgestone R250 ED all-position radial tyres. Regional and pickup-and-delivery fleets now have more options with the new 255/70R22.5 and 275/70R22.5 tyre sizes.
“The R250 ED is suitable for use by pickup and delivery fleets, moving vans, auto haulers and rural school bus fleets. As these vehicles often experience tight cornering, this tyre is designed to provide sidewall protection from twisting, scraping and scrubbing, and tread protection from cutting and chipping,” says Guy Walenga, director, Engineering, Commercial Products and Technologies, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire. “The addition of these new sizes allows us to better serve regional and pickup-and-delivery fleets in high-scrub urban or mild on/off highway environments, particularly for those using trailers.”
Bridgestone Bandag Wins “Good Stuff” Award
Product NewsThe American Trucking Associations have awarded the second annual Mike Russell “Good stuff” Trucking Image Award to Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS). The award was created to acknowledge companies that creatively implement the association’s “Good Stuff. Trucks Bring it” campaign, which is intended to generate positive awareness of the trucking industry.
The award is named after the late Mike Russell, the ATA’s former vice president of public affairs for ATA, who helped develop the campaign. “Mike Russell was a good friend and enthusiastic champion of the industry,” said Kurt Danielson, vice president of sales & marketing for BBTS. “BBTS Bridgestone made a tremendous commitment to support the American Trucking Associations beginning in 2005 by promoting the Good Stuff campaign to our owner-operator and fleet truck tyre customers. The Good Stuff campaign benefits us all.”
Bridgestone Released Mid-term Management Plan 2008
Product NewsBridgestone Corporation has released details of its “Mid-term Management Plan 2008” (MTP2008), which covers the period 2009 through 2013. The outline of the plan is as follows.
1. Basic Approach to MTP2008 Formulation
Bridgestone has formulated MTP2008, which covers the period 2009 through 2013, which is one year further on from MTP2007 (2008 to 2012). In making the revisions, Bridgestone updated and added initiatives in response to recent changes in the business environment, including changes in demand trends and the cost environment, in order to achieve the goals set in MTP2007.
Bridgestone Outlines Senior Management Changes
Product NewsBridgestone Corporation announced on October 14 that its board of directors has approved the following proposals of the changes in corporate officers.
Changing positions and responsibilities of Corporate Officers – effective October 16, 2008
– Yasumi Kawasaki.
New position and responsibilities: Vice president and senior officer responsible for Quality Management, Quality
Current position and responsibilities: Vice president and senior officer responsible for Quality Management
Bridgestone Americas Restructures Tyre Operations
Product NewsTyre operations at Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) will be restructured, the company has announced, the changes taking effect January 1, 2009. Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama will lead the new unit, which will be named Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). Reporting into this unit will be the company’s Latin American tyre operations, the US and Canadian consumer tyre businesses and the US and Canadian commercial tyre businesses. Nishiyama will continue to report to Mark A. Emkes, chairman, CEO and president, BSAH. Reporting to Nishiyama under this new structure will be:
Ahluwalia To Retire From Bridgestone/Firestone
Product NewsSingh Ahluwalia has announced plans to retire next year, ending a 32-year career with Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. The president of truck and bus tyre sales for the recently formed Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions will retire as of Mar. 1, 2009. He will also be leaving his position as a as member of the BFNAT board of directors. Ahluwalia will be succeeded by Kurt Danielson, currently vice president of marketing, who will become vice president of sales and marketing for BBTS. To provide a smooth transition, Danielson’s appointment is effective Nov. 1. Danielson will report directly to Saul Solomon, BBTS president, and will be responsible for all new and retreaded truck tire marketing and sales activities.
“After 32 years of dedication to our company, Singh has certainly put in his time and earned the opportunity to retire and enjoy more free time,” Solomon said. “Almost all of our major milestones in this business occurred during Singh’s tenure – the overall explosive growth in our TBR business, our long-standing relationship with Ryder and our partnership with Paccar. Above all, it was Singh’s vision that ultimately led to our merger with Bandag, a transaction that has given us so many opportunities across the globe.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Yuill & Dodds Wins RMA Green Fleet Award
NewsYuill & Dodds, the Hamilton Scotland based haulage company, won this year’s Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) Green Fleet Award. The award was presented to Brian Yuill of Yuill & Dodds by RMA director David Wilson at the Rubber Industry Dinner held at the St Johns Hotel in Solihull on 26 September. The Green Fleet of the Year Award is presented by the RMA to recognise fleets who have been particularly supportive to the retreading industry.
Yuill and Dodds are one of the biggest bulk hauliers in Scotland with over 200 tippers, tractors and trailers. They have been associated with Bandag for many years and fit retreads on drive axles on all tippers, bulk tractors and all positions on tipping trailers.
Bridgestone Firestone Announces Two Key Appointments
Product NewsTwo key appointments have been made at Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Tire Company (BFOR), a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). Mike Poirer and Wilhelm Brau have joined BFOR and will work in the areas of marketing, sales and distribution for the Continuum brand of retreading materials.
Mike Poirier, formerly North American OTR sales manager for Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions, joins BFOR as general manager Corporate Accounts and Original Equipment. Wilhelm Brau joins BFOR as general manager Continuum Retread and Recycle Solutions. Brau served most recently as vice president of Sales and Operations for RDH Tire & Retread Company.
BFOR Takes Responsibility for Continuum Brand
Product NewsOff-road fleets in North America wishing to use a mix of both new and retread tyres now have a one-stop, integrated service solution: Bridgestone Firestone Off Road Company (BFOR), a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, has expanded its product range with the addition of retread tyres manufactured with Continuum tread rubber. Company officials announced at the MINEXPO 2008 show in Las Vegas that BFOR will assume marketing, sales and distribution responsibilities immediately for Continuum brand retread materials in the USA and Canada.
Bridgestone Bandag Releases Fuel Economy Guide
Product NewsWith fuel moving into the lead as a fleet’s top expense, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) is releasing its fourth comprehensive fuel economy guide for large trucks. “Tires & Truck Fuel Economy – a New Perspective” looks at what BBTS has learned after 25 years of studying the relationship of tires to large truck fuel economy, the company said.
The guide provides fleet customers with practical recommendations that take into consideration the real-world factors affecting fuel economy, according to Singh Ahluwalia, president of sales and marketing for BBTS. “There’s no one single thing you can do to be a financial success in the trucking business, and there’s no one single thing you can do to maximize your fuel economy,” he said. “The good news is, practically everyone can do a better job of getting the most out of a gallon of fuel.”
The guide also addresses how speed affects fuel economy, how to select the best tyre for a fleet operation, and how to balance the cost of tyres over their lifetime with their affect on fuel economy, BBTS said. Fleets who wish to receive a copy can ask their Bridgestone Bandag sales representative, call 1-888-694-0469 or visit bridgestonetrucktires.com. (Tire Review/Akron)
Firestone Adds to Ultra-Deep Drive Radial Lineup
Product NewsIn the USA, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) is adding two sizes to its lineup of new Firestone FD690 PLUS deep drive axle radial tires: 225/70R19.5 and 245/70R19.5.
The FD690 PLUS features a continuous shoulder design specifically engineered to combat irregular wear, an aggressive block/lug design to cut through water and road films and linked center lugs to add stability against tread squirm and to fight heel and toe wear, according to the company. The tyres are available from a Firestone commercial tyre dealer or truckstop. (Tire Review/Akron)
