Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.
Ex-Bridgestone research scientist Xiaorong Wang has been indicted on charges of stealing trade secrets from the tyre maker and providing investigators with false information. Before his dismissal on 14 April 2010, Wang worked at the Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology in Akron, Ohio; it is alleged that after being fired, Wang downloaded proprietary information and removed it from Bridgestone premises.
You may not have heard the news, but tomorrow is World Water Day. Bridgestone, however, is well aware of our favourite liquid’s link to 22 March, and to mark the occasion the Japanese company has reported on the water management initiatives it has in place to promote the sustainable use of water resources in its manufacturing processes. These initiatives include using water in an efficient manner and thoroughly managing waste water, and are in place at various European, Asian and American locations.
Bridgestone Corporation reports success in its lawsuit against Chinese manufacturer Guangming Tyre Group regarding the infringement of its design patent rights. The case began in May 2011, when Bridgestone filed a lawsuit in the Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court, alleging its design patent rights were violated by Guangming Tyre Group. Specifically, Bridgestone claimed Guangming was manufacturing and selling tyres that used the Japanese tyre maker’s patented truck and bus tyre tread patterns. Guangming produces tyres under the Heshan and Chaoyinsu brand names.
New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment has pledged NZ$135,000 (£70,000) to fund research into tyre recycling options. Environment minister Nick Smith announced on 14 March that the money will go to the Product Stewardship Foundation, who will utilise it through Tyrewise, a product stewardship programme it has established. The grant covers 79 per cent of the costs the Tyrewise project will incur and is payable upon the completion of seven milestones that culminate in readying a recycling scheme for launch.
In addition to presenting its newest premium touring tyre at the motor show in Geneva, Bridgestone showed off two new technologies currently in development – one of which is currently being prepared for evaluation in the market. During the show, Tyres & Accessories spoke with Gert Meylemans, senior manager of the Bridgestone Europe EU Coms office, and Wilfried Rulands, marketing & communications manager at Bridgestone Germany about the tyre maker’s innovations and what is planned for them.
Since its European launch in 2010, the Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 line-up has continued to grow. The Japanese tyre maker reports that the EP150 is now available in 55 and 65 series sizes to fit a wide range of compact and medium-sized passenger cars with 14 to 16-inch rim sizes. The EP150, together with the Turanza ER300 Ecopia, forms the basis of an Ecopia product portfolio that offers sizes to fit most popular car models on European roads.
Only a week after Cooper Tire & Rubber stated it will partner with Yulex Corporation on the development and evaluation of guayule as a source of natural rubber, Bridgestone Corporation has announced plans of its own to develop the plant into a commercially viable alternative to the hevea tree. The research project will be conducted in the United States as a joint collaboration between Bridgestone Corporation and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations; the Japanese parent company will provide funding and strategic input, while the American subsidiary will be responsible for finding the suitable location and operating the pilot farm and process research facility. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations will also leverage the resources of the Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology and its Akron Technical Center to provide technical and research expertise.
Bridgestone has launched the newPotenza S001 RFT run-flat tyre. According the company, the S001 provides the superior driving performance of the Bridgestone Potenza S001 combined with the added safety of Bridgestone run-flat technology.
The comparative tests conducted by German publications carry a lot of weight within the European tyre industry, and therefore manufacturers are keen to spread the word when their products are evaluated favourably. Motorwelt, the magazine distributed to all members of the motoring organisation ADAC, evaluated two sizes of summer passenger car tyre and one 4×4 tyre in its March 2012 edition. Apollo Tyres has already shared news of its 3G Maxx’s performance in the 165/70 R14T class; now Bridgestone reports a strong finish for its Turanza T001 in the size 205/55 R16V category.
Global demand OTR radials for use in construction and mining applications is growing, and to meet the needs of a hungry market, Bridgestone intends to build a new production facility in Thailand. On 5 March the Japanese tyre maker announced plans to invest around 50 billion yen (£385.6 million) setting up the tyre plant in Rayong, and production there is expected to begin in the first half of 2015. Production capacity at the new plant is expected to reach approximately 85 tons per day by the 1st half of 2019, when scheduled capacity increases are completed. In addition, Bridgestone will also erect a steel cord manufacturing facility through its cord manufacturing subsidiary.
With the increasing use of cold weather tyres across many European markets as a result of legislation, recent harsh winters, and increased product awareness, the development cycle for new models has reduced in length. The world’s biggest manufacturer, Bridgestone has responded to the increased interest in the segment – and the resultant quickening of technological improvements – by signing a long-term lease on its new Sweden Proving Ground (SPG), located in Vidsel in the north of the country under 100km from the polar circle, and an hour’s drive north of Lulea airport. Its representatives told tyrepress.com that the estimated new seasonal product cycle would now be “no more than two winters”, since the “life cycle of a winter tyre is getting shorter”.
Bridgestone’s second Sepang pre-season test concluded today; fine weather allowed teams to test dry weather tyres after extended inclement weather on Tuesday and Wednesday prevented as much slick compound testing as they would have liked. Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner was the fastest rider, setting a 2:00.473 lap on a combination of the hard front and medium rear tyres. Teammate Dani Pedrosa and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Andrea Dovizioso were next fastest. Shinji Aoki, manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department, said he had been “pleased with the performance of the 2012 specification tyres” during the testing sessions.
The UK’s largest motorcycle and scooter tyre wholesaler, Cambrian Tyres, has just released its 2012 price catalogue – a whopping 192 page tome that list the full ranges available from Avon, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Metzeler, Michelin and Pirelli, as well as a full selection of inner tubes and accessories. Completely re-written for 2012, the price list also features an enlarged fitment guide to aid dealers in selecting the correct size tyres for almost 2,500 different motorcycles.
Abilene, Texas officials have approved a measure that will provide money to aid the planned expansion of a Bridgestone Americas retread plant in the city, reports Tire Review. The Development Corporation of Abilene approved $315,300 for the Bridgestone Bandag plant, which will be paid over three years to expand facilities, creating 11 new full-time jobs. The plant employs 130 full-time workers.
The UK replacement motorcycle tyre market has been in the doldrums for a couple of years now, which is a shame because, as Bike Tyrestore managing director Peter Smith opines, this past year has been punctuated by outstanding products from all manufacturers. And despite the promise of key new introductions, such as the Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S20, Smith notes that opinions are mixed as to which way the market will go in 2012.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
