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

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Price Fixing Charges Reveal Rubbery Figures

The European Commission has raided the premises of a number of rubber product manufacturers, including several also involved in tyre production, as part of a global investigation into price fixing practices. Amongst the companies investigated are Japan’s Bridgestone and Yokohama, along with Grimsby based rubber and plastic technology specialist Dunlop Oil & Marine, a division of Germany’s ContiTech AG and Trelleborg Industrie SAS, the French subsidiary of Sweden’s Trelleborg AB.

“I can confirm that yesterday and today Commission officials have undertaken unannounced inspections at premises of several marine hose producers in France, Italy and the United Kingdom,” Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd informed the media. “The Commission coordinated its investigative measures with the United States Department of Justice in the context of a suspected worldwide cartel concerning marine hoses.”

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Violence at Plantation Leaves Six Hurt

(Akron/Tire Review) Clashes with police have left at least six people wounded at Bridgestone Americas Holdings natural rubber plantation in Liberia, according to numerous press reports. Workers there had been on strike since Apr. 24, reportedly demanding the ouster of the facility’s top manager.

4th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Price Increase for Bridgestone/Firestone Canada

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone Canada is increasing prices on Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion and associate brand passenger and light truck/SUV tyre lines. The increase will be up to 5%, with in-line adjustments higher than 5% possible.

The price increase will kick in June 1, BFC said.

2nd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Promotes Two

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire has made two appointments within its OTR and agricultural tyre groups. Shawn Rasey, previously executive director of North American sales, has been promoted to executive director of the group, and will now be responsible for all North American sales, customer service, marketing, administration and engineering activities.

Ken Allen, previously director of global OEM engineering and export sales for the Firestone Agricultural Tire Group, was promoted to executive director of sales and marketing for that unit.

2nd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Redcap Brings One Stop Auto Care to the Middle East

Motorists in Saudi Arabia are now able to benefit from the convenience of having all their automotive purchasing and servicing needs met under the one roof. The giant Tamimi Group has announced the opening of four car care hypercentres, a concept Tyres & Accessories are informed is brand new to the Middle East. The centres will trade under the brand name ‘Redcap’ and will cater for every make and model, from the smallest car to the largest SUV.

The chain’s initial four hypercentres have opened in the cities of Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Hassa, with a fifth outlet opening in Al Khobar in the near future. The Tamimi Group state that Redcap hypercentres in numerous other locations – including outlets in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait – are also in the pipeline.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Des Moines Union Workers Approve Contract

(Akron/Tire Review – Des Monies Register) Union workers at the Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) agricultural tyre plant in Des Moines, Iowa, approved a new labor contract by six votes.

The agreement, which covers about 1,225 employees, is set to expire in July 2009. BFNAT will invest up to $100 million in the Des Moines plant as well as two others, according to the contract. Additionally, a new tiered wage system provides lower pay rates for new employees, starting at $13 an hour.

“It gives us some protection for retiree health care and definitely protects our plant security for the term of the agreement,” said Al Skinner, Local 310 president. “Companies expect us to compete competitively internationally, which is impossible. They (international competition) work for pennies on the dollar. They expect us to compete with them. It’s virtually impossible for us to do that.”

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bandag Reports First-Quarter Financials

(Akron/Tire Review) Bandag Inc. released financial results for the first quarter of 2007.

Consolidated net sales were $227.0 million, compared to $212.4 million in first quarter of 2006, an increase of 7 per cent.

Consolidated net earnings were $14.9 million for the first quarter of 2007, compared to first quarter 2006 consolidated earnings of $5.7 million.

North American business unit volume increased 2 per cent, while net sales decreased 1 per cent. TDS net sales decreased $0.3 million, or 1 per cent. Consolidated operating and other expenses decreased $9.6 million, or 15 per cent, compared to the prior year period. Operating and other expenses decreased in all business units with the exception of vehicle services.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Reaches Agreement With Bloomington Workers

(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers Local 787 union in Bloomington, Ill., has approved a new three-year contract with Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT).

Seventy-six percent of the union workers at the OTR plant voted in favor of paying more for medical insurance. In return, workers gained an extra holiday and seniority rights. Wage scales remain the same, but workers will receive cost-of-living pay increases.

Earlier this month, BFNAT reached a tentative deal with the United Steelworkers covering tyre plants in Akron, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; and LaVergne, Tenn.

Local 787 has worked under an expired contract since July. The new agreement will expire in July 2009.

26th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Shows New OTR Tyres at Bauma 2007

Bridgestone Europe has fielded a comprehensive array of OTR tyres at Bauma 2007, the international exhibition for the civil engineering and construction industries held in Munich between April 23 and29 April. Arguably the centrepiece of Bridgestone’s booth at Bauma was the company’s new OTR radials, the VJT and VRQP. Also on show was the world’s largest OTR radial, together with other well-known products for the construction sector.

The VRQP, seen for the first time at Intermat 06, is an E4 tread-class premium rock tyre developed for rigid dump trucks operating under severe conditions such as those found in quarries. Bridgestone report that the VRQP comes with a tread 21 per cent deeper than that of conventional designs, extending wear life and enhancing performance. The tread pattern incorporates angled wide main grooves and is designed with fewer and larger lugs for added grip and stability. Extra block width provides greater lug stiffness, resulting in better ground contact pressure, while a shallow sub-groove further improves traction and lateral stability. Initially available in 18.00R33 size, the VRQP will be joined by a 24.00R35 version towards the end of 2007.

26th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Shows Support to Bridgestone Safety Campaign

Kwik-Fit has pledged its support to Bridgestone’s “Think Before You Drive” campaign – which is their contribution to the United Nations Global Road Safety Week taking place during 23rd – 29th April.
Throughout the entire week Kwik-Fit will donate its fitters and premises – nationwide – to conduct free tyre checks on behalf Bridgestone. All motorists are welcome to a free, no obligation tyre check up at any one of Kwik-Fit’s 670 UK centres, without appointment.
Bridgestone’s initiative “Think before you drive” advises drivers of the four basic steps to improve safety. These are:

– Always wear a seat belt
– Use a suitable child seat
– Position the head rest correctly
– Ensure your tyres have the right pressure and sufficient tread depth.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

EU To Finalise Bandag Bridgestone Deal Checks

Reports from a number of media sources indicate the European Commission has set a date near the end of May as the deadline for completing its investigation into the imminent US$1.05 billion sale of Bandag to Bridgestone Americas Holdings. The deal itself is expected to close by the end of June.

Bandag’s significant business ties in Europe prompted the EU Commission to become involved. Observers believe that, as the deal has already been approved by US authorities, there is little likelihood of any new issues from the EU sidelining the deal.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Honoured By Vulcan Award

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire received the 2006 Gold Alliance Supplier Award from Vulcan Materials Co. It marked the seventh straight year BFNAT’s OTR tyre group received the honour.

“To be singled out as one of Vulcan’s top suppliers for seven straight years is truly an honour,” said Shawn Rasey, executive director of BFNAT’s Bridgestone/Firestone Off-Road Tire unit. “This award is a testament to the hard-working people that make up Bridgestone/Firestone and the quality tyres we produce day in and day out.

BFNAT supplies Bridgestone and Firestone branded OTR tyres for Vulcan operations and also supports Vulcan with its TreadStat Tire and Rim Management System.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Gets Tentative Bloomington Deal

(Akron/Tire Review) Reports from Bloomington, Illinois, indicate that USW Local 787 has reached a tentative contract agreement with Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. Earlier this month, BFNAT reached a tentative deal with the United Steelworkers covering tyre plants in Akron, Des Moines and LaVergne, Tennessee.

Bridgestone Americas Holding also reached contract deals with the USW for non-tire plants in Russellville, Arkansas, and Noblesville, Indiana The Bloomington OTR tyre plant was on a separate contract.

USW members at the Bloomington plant are expected to vote on the new contract this weekend and into Tuesday next week.

Votes at the other USW represented plants are expected to be completed by April 25.

According to the report, USW workers at BFNAT’s truck tyre plant in Warren County, Tennessee, also on its own contract, ratified a new three-year pact last week.

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone – External Audit Accreditation for CV Dealerships

Bridgestone UK is to award “Approved Expert Dealer” status to three commercial vehicle tyre dealerships. In a move that Bridgestone says is the first of its kind, the manufacturer has partnered with Lloyds register to develop a rigour auditing process to be thoroughly inspected by an external body.

The accreditation is the latest stage in the multi-million-pound total tyre management investment programme Bridgestone has been engaged in its Truck Point network in the last three years. Three audit awards will be presented on Wednesday 25 April, at Bridgestone’s stand at the CV Show. 46 other audits are in the process of being finalised and should be completed by the end of April.

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Urges Motorists: Think Before You Drive

Bridgestone is again urging motorists across the country to “Think Before You Drive”, as its campaign to encourage drivers to check the safety of their tyres enters a third year. In an effort to reduce accidents in the UK, Bridgestone joined forces with the RAC Foundation and FIA Foundation in 2005 to launch the Think Before You Drive campaign – and this year will see more activity than ever before.

“Since the campaign began, we have carried out tens of thousands of free tyre checks across the UK and Europe, in an effort to show drivers just how important their tyres are,” said John McNaught, managing director of Bridgestone UK. “Shockingly, we have found that only 6.5 per cent of vehicles had all four tyres correctly inflated, with at least one in eight cars having at least one tyre significantly under-inflated.”

20th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors