Bridgestone Archives - Page 234 of 278 - Tyrepress

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

Tag Archive for: Bridgestone

Bridgestone Accused of Using Slave Labour

The Washington-based International Labor Rights Fund has filed a Federal lawsuit alleging that Bridgestone Corp uses slave and child labour on its rubber plantation in Harbel, Liberia, news agencies have reported.

The suit seeks class action on behalf of 12 adult workers and 23 children and claims the plaintiffs could not bring similar court actions in Liberia because of fear of retribution and a corrupt court system. The suit requests a jury trial and unspecified damages, according to the Associated Press.

21st November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Reaches Double Century

More than 200 dealerships across the country are now certified to replace run-flat tyres, as part of Bridgestone’s comprehensive Run-Flat Certificate Programme.

The scheme comprises of free training for tyre dealers and fitters. To date 203 dealerships and in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.

18th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Harris Presented with BFCA Truck Hero Award

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) has presented this year’s Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award to Kevin Harris, a truck driver in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Harris “fought off flames and defied danger so that he could provide comfort to a dying fellow driver he had met only 10 minutes earlier,” said the manufacturer. He received a $3,000 check and trophy today at the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual meeting. BFCA is also donating a matching amount in Harris’ name to a memorial trust fund.

18th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Raise Tyre Prices in Japan

The Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it will raise the replacement market prices of tyres, tubes and flaps sold in Japan. The move will take effect from 1 February 2006. Prices for winter tyres will be increased on 1 April 2006. Specific price increases include five per cent for passenger car and light truck tyres, seven per cent for truck and bus tyres, seven per cent for construction vehicle bias tyres, 10 per cent for construction vehicle radial tyres, and five per cent for other kinds of tyres (excluding those for motorcycles) and for tubes and flaps. Bridgestone points out that these figures are the average increases across each of the respective ranges.

17th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Market Leader in Bulgaria

Continental is the leading player in the Bulgarian tyre market, with a 30 per cent market share, Bulgarian newspaper Dnevnik am has reported. According to Europool figures, total sales in Bulgaria will reach 1.1 million units this year. Goodyear is estimated to hold the second largest share with 25-27 per cent of the market, followed by Michelin with 18-23 per cent and Bridgestone-Firestone with 8-12 per cent. These figures do not include the local sales of Korean, Turkish and Russian tyre brands.

16th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Steps Into Russian Retail

Goodyear has taken its Premio franchise to Russia, opening its first store on 10 November. According to a Kommersant report, the company hopes to sign up around a dozen stores in Podolsk, Kalinigrad, Omsk, Rostov, Volgograd and other Russian towns before the end of the year. The establishment phase of the Premio chain is expected to be completed by 2008 Konstantin Alexeev, retail development manager at Goodyear Russia told the newspaper. The company reportedly invests $20,000 to $30,000 in the launch of each store, Alexeev explained.

By establishing a retail presence, Goodyear appears to be attempting to catch up with its competitors. Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli launched their projects as far back as 1999. Nokian Tyres set up its Vianor chain, while earlier this Autumn Amtel acquired more than 40 having bought out three Moscow retailers – Rosshina, Koleso, Profil.

14th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Sets 10 Years as Tyre Life Span

(Akron/Tire Review) The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BNAT) is now recommending a maximum life span for passenger vehicle tyres – 10 years. This is a clear break from other US tyre companies, which have fought state and federal attempts to mandate a specific life span and/or require “born on” dates on tyre sidewalls.

10th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Canadian Plant Gets Capital Boost

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Canadian operation and the Quebec government will invest $53.3 million (Canadian) on improvements to the company’s 40-year-old Joliette, Quebec, tyre plant.

The deal was announced last Friday, and is intended to preserve some 1,250 jobs at the plant. Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc will contribute $49.8 million and the provincial government will add $3.5 million. Most of the funds will go toward new equipment and facility reorganization.

9th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone ‘Model’ First Stop Store

Bridgestone Europe has opened its first European First Stop “Model Store” in Zaventem, Belgium in the presence of Francis Vermeiren, Mayor of Zaventem; Minekazu Fujimura, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Europe; and Günther F Unterhauser, senior vice president sales and marketing.

9th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Eagle F1 Wins Again

Goodyear’s ultra-high performance Eagle F1 GS-D3 has been awarded first place in a test of 11 top competitors conducted by the editors of Car & Driver. The F1 was praised for its strong wet performance and for have dry handling characteristics comparable with the best dry performers. Continental’s ContiSportContact 2 took second place earning compliments for its “very good” performance in the wet. Yokohama’s Advan Neova AD07 took third place and was praised for its grip: “If you’re looking to cut the quickest lap times while using a street tyre, this is the one to have,” the magazine reported.

8th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Overpriced or Undervalued?

When Bridgestone recently announced that it would increase prices in Europe it was the latest in a string of decisions by tyre manufacturers around the world. It seems that no matter where in the world a company is based, companies cannot avoid the increased price of raw materials and particularly natural rubber, synthetic rubber and steel. But T&A would like to know what you think about the recent spate of price increases issued by manufacturers around the world? Are they a necessary evil, a stealth tax on distributors or just the result of prudent financial planning on the part of the manufacturing business? To place your vote and leave your opinion click here.

4th November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Brand New F1 Team

Formula 1 has gained an 11th team, although it is not certain they will compete in 2006. Former Grand Prix driver, Aguri Suzuki, made an application to compete next year in a car powered by Honda engines and running on Bridgestone tyres. However the fact that the team have to build their own chassis means the Super Aguri Formula One is facing an uphill battle to be ready in time for the beginning of next season.

The team will be based in Tokyo with race operations situated at the former TWR headquarters in Leafield, Oxfordshire, the Telegraph reported. Takuma Sato, BAR test drivers Anthony Davidson and Adam Carroll, and Super Aguri IRL driver Kosuke Matsuura are all said to be under consideration for the drivers’ jobs.

3rd November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Announces 32.5 per cent Profit Increase

Bridgestone Corp has announced a 32.5 per cent increase in profits, resulting from increased sales volumes and prices increases. While the company appears to have offset the effects of higher raw material costs, Bridgestone executives have left the business’ annual outlook unchanged.

2nd November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear to Make F1 Comeback?

Goodyear is reportedly considering returning to the Formula One motorsport series. F1total.com reports that the American manufacturer is considering getting involved in the sport as a way of responding to the improved market performance that Michelin and Bridgestone have achieved through their involvement. The F1 website speculates that Goodyear could apply for the FIA contract as soon as the series reverts to using a single tyre supplier. Goodyear could also be competing with Kumho for a future F1 contract, the website states.

1st November 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Reacts to Changing Market

Bridgestone UK has promoted Keith Thomas to the position of national account manager, with Simon Davies taking up Mr Thomas’ previous role as national account executive. According to Keith, the promotions illustrate Bridgestone’s commitment to enhancing its UK sales operations.

31st October 2005/by Tyrepress Editors