Bridgestone Archives - Page 195 of 277 - Tyrepress

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

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Tyre Majors Show Interest in India Production

A number of global tyre majors are making their presence felt in India’s tyre market, a market valued by the Business Standard financial newspaper at Rs 190 billion (£2.44 billion). Industry experts report that Michelin, Pirelli and Yokohama have the setting up of local production in their sights, and Bridgestone intends to further its presence in India.

The global number one player already holds the largest share in this market’s PCR segment, and it intends to boost this through a capacity increase at its facility in the central state of Madhya Pradesh to 11,000 units a day. At present Bridgestone supplies the TBR market with tyres manufactured in Thailand, however the company intends to invest around £100 million in a greenfield truck and bus tyre facility somewhere in India.

18th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

US City Prepping Incentives to Keep BFNAT Tech Centre

Reacting to Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s stated desire to upgrade its research and development facilities in the US, city, county and state officials in Ohio are working to develop an incentive package designed to keep those operations in Akron. In January BFNAT announced that it wanted a new technical centre and were considering a few options: invest millions in rehabbing its nearly century old current facility at the old Firestone world headquarters in south Akron, or build new facilities in either Akron or Nashville.

15th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Two New Potenzas from BFNAT

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire introduced two new Bridgestone brand tyres last week at the Chicago Auto Show. The new asymmetrical tread Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport, which BFNAT said is “an evolution of the Potenza RE750,” provides improved response, control, cornering, straight stability, linearity and grip than the RE750, the company said. The tyre will be available March 1, but sizing details were not made available.

Also launched was the Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid, an all-new all-season performance line with a directional tread pattern. The tread area, said BFNAT, is wider than normal for handling, cornering and grip in all weather conditions. The H- and V-rated line will be available this spring in 27 popular 15- to 18-inch sizes in the 65 – 40 series, and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. (Tire Review/Akron)

12th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Quits Marine Hose Business due to “Improper Payments”

According to the content of a statement released by Bridgestone on February 12, the company’s internal inquiry into the now well known international marine hose cartel has uncovered a number of occurrences of what Bridgestone calls “improper monetary payments.” These payments were made to foreign agents, including government officials. Other “possible forms of improper payments” were also reported.

The European Commission, US Department of Justice, the Fair Trade Commission of Japan and other authorities have been investigating Bridgestone Corporation since last May due to suspicions of the company’s involvement in the marine hose cartel. Bridgestone, in its February 12 statement, wishes to clarify that the act of making improper payments to foreign agents, which will possibly be paid to government officers and other customer representatives, is a serious violation of its compliance rules. “Such acts betray the confidence that customers, shareholders and business counterparts have in our company,” declares Bridgestone. “We solemnly apologise for all such acts.”

12th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Launches Battlax BT-016

Bridgestone recently launched its Battlax BT-016 on Cambrian Tyres’ Motorcyle Trade Expo stand. An advanced hypersport tyre seen for the first time at the EICMA 2007 in Milan, it is designed to give “maximum performance to riders who are passionate about sport bikes” and features Bridgestone’s MotoGP multi-layer compound technology. Compared to the BT-014 it will progressively replace, the new BT-016 is said to provide total handling improvement in all riding modes – with noticeably better contact feel, feedback, stability and grip – as well as longer wear life and lower noise levels.

One of the focuses of development in the new tyre has been in its compound. Bridgestone has combined its top MotoGP construction technology with its latest multi-compound technology from SACT (Straight And Cornering Technology) and says this produce a sport tyre that gives high-level grip performance in braking, cornering and acceleration.

5th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Students Invited to Become Bridgestone E-Reporters

Once again Bridgestone is offering students throughout Europe the opportunity to have their budding journalistic talents noticed. The 2008 Bridgestone e-reporter competition is open to all full-time students in Europe who are aged between 18 and 30, and submissions are being sought by those who wish to, in the tyre major’s own words, “help launch their reporting career.”

Entry into the competition is as simple as penning a 300 word article (and interview questions) on a newsworthy story, and completed pieces can be submitted online at www.bridgestone.eu/e-reporter. A panel of highly respected media personalities and international journalists will critique the respective merits of each received entry, and eight finalists will be selected. Each will attend a European Formula One Grand Prix weekend, where their skills will be honed as they report upon the Bridgestone backed GP2 Series. All eight finalists will also be invited to the first European Grand Prix of the 2008 season, in Barcelona (25 – 27 April), to launch and celebrate the Bridgestone e-reporter competition’s fifth year.

5th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Discusses New Tech Centre

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire wants a new technical centre, and is considering either building new facilities in Akron, Ohio or Nashville, Tennessee, or trying to rehabilitate its nearly 100-year-old existing facility in south Akron. The tyremaker, which has some 1,000 employees in Akron and about 600 working in the technical centre, has begun talks with Akron and Nashville officials about possible solutions. BFNAT plans to reach a final recommendation in May, and, with the approval of the boards of both Bridgestone Americas Holding and parent Bridgestone Corporation, announce its plans this autumn.

4th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Acquires Asian Retail Outlets

Bridgestone’s retail network in Asia has been boosted through the acquisition of operations in Thailand and Malaysia. Bridgestone Holdings (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (BSHT), a joint capital investment between Thai Bridgestone and a local partner, acquired Shell Autoserv (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (SAT) from the Shell Group on February 4. SAT owns 64 “Shell Autoserv” stores in the capital city Bangkok and in other locations throughout the country, an independent network providing car maintenance service including tyre and lubricant sales. In addition to the Thai transaction, Bridgestone also announced an agreement between Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) SDN.BHD. (BSTM) and Shell Group for the BTSM acquisition of eight “Shell Autoserv” car maintenance stores in Malaysia.

4th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cambrian Tyres Launches New Website

2008 sees the launch of a new Cambrian Tyres website (www.cambriantyres.co.uk). According to the company, the site enables consumers to enquire about their nearest stockist and dealers can have access to the latest special offers, trade only data and resources; whilst all visitors can see the latest news from all seven brands along with videos, fitment guides and lots more.

Cambrian Tyres, one of the leading UK motorcycle tyre distributors, says it continues to offer its dealer’s “unsurpassed exclusive special offers” and unrivalled customer service. According to the company, this is down to the company’s bulk buying power capabilities and a dealer-centred philosophy. From our early days, our target of being a ‘one stop tyre shop’ for dealers has been realised as we have become the leading purchaser of each of the big seven tyre brands to the UK motorcycle market.

4th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Australia Upgrades its Web Presence

To keep pace with ever changing Internet tastes and technology, Bridgestone Australia has developed an updated suite of websites it believes will greatly improve the user experience, both visually and ergonomically. Emphasis has been placed upon ease of use, and the menu system adopted by the new site allows for clearer and more concise navigation. Features such as contrast and font enlargement permit easier reading for the visually impaired.

Visitors arriving at the home page will be presented with the latest Bridgestone Australia offers and brand advertisements, with animated banners and images relating to the company’s retail promotions prominently displayed. Improvements to the site’s tyre selector feature are intended to simplify the process of finding the correct tyre size for a particular vehicle, and an added ‘driving style’ tool can help pinpoint the best tyre for any vehicle model. Upgraded graphics and descriptions of each tyre’s technology, together with comparison charts, make the job on online tyre selection substantially easier.

1st February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Acquires NZ’s Largest Independent Tyre Retailer

Bridgestone has boosted its retail presence in New Zealand through the acquisition of the 19 outlets operated by Tony’s Tyre Service, the country’s independent tyre retailer. The chain, founded in 1982 by businessman and former retreader Steve Lange, and its 150 plus employees, will come under the control of the tyre major on March 31.

“I think it’s the right time,” commented Lange to the Manawatu Standard. “The company’s achieved some pretty spectacular results and it’s got a fantastic reputation in the industry. We want to take that to the next level.” Mr Lange will continue in his role as chief executive and the retail outlets look likely to retain their distinctive brand identity. “Nothing changes,” he added. “We are still the operators and a totally independent entity. I’ve been pretty careful to ensure that my people would not be changed. The consumer will not notice any difference.” The financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed due to a confidentiality agreement, however Mr. Lange indicated the offer was very attractive.

31st January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts: High Raw Material Prices Protect Tyre Manufacturer Margins

Following Bridgestone’s recent decision to increase prices in North America, Deutsche Bank analysts have observed that high raw material prices are allowing the leading players to indirectly influence market prices. In their words, Bridgestone’s recent 8 per cent price hike is a “good indication that the oligopoly is working.” The market watchers continued: “Prices are, paradoxically, a good protection on margins.” Assuming that only 50 per cent of these price increases are being sustained within the market, this would allow the manufacturers to offset a 12 per cent synthetic rubber or natural rubber price increase, according to Deutsche Bank.

29th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Prices on Way Up in North America

North America market prices for Bridgestone and Firestone brand tyre lines, plus all Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) associate brand tyres, are to increase by up to 8 per cent. These increases, which commence March 1, 2008, will apply to OE, replacement and export market tyres in the passenger, light truck, TBR, OTR and agricultural tyre segments.

“The continuing unprecedented upward spiral of energy and raw material costs makes this action necessary,” said Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, vice chairman and president of BFNT. “This unrelenting escalation of costs is simply not a situation that can be managed through the enhanced efficiencies and increased productivity that we are continually implementing at all levels of our company. As a result, we have no choice but to implement this price increase.”

29th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Raise Prices in China

Prices for Bridgestone tyres in China are set to increase as of March, the company said. Higher raw material costs have been singled out as the reason for the changes. A company statement said price increases of between 3 and 5 per cent would take place as a cost reduction initiative previously launched by the company has failed to offset rising material costs.

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Blackcircles.com Adds Autocar Tyre Tests to Website

In partnership with Autocar Magazine, Blackcircles.com has entered into a partnership with Autocar Magazine that will enable the online tyre retailer to offer exclusive online video reviews of leading tyre brands. The video reviews will cover tests of numerous premium brands including Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli.

Blackcircles.com reports it is “delighted” to be partnering with the word’s first automotive magazine, and believes the impartial tests will help its customers make the correct and safe choice when selecting new tyres. The Autocar tests involve a series of categories, such as wet and dry braking and wet and dry handling. Motorists are able to access the video reviews by visiting www.blackcircles.com/tyretests.

28th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors