Bridgestone Archives - Page 238 of 277 - Tyrepress

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

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Bridgestone Americas Continues Positive Trends

Bridgestone Americas Holding (BSAH/Nashville), subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, announced its financial results for the six month period ending June 30, 2005. At BSAH, first half sales increased 13% over the previous year, to $4.89 billion. Operating income improved over the prior year to $185 million (from $159 million in the first half of 2004, a 16% increase). The improvement in operating income was due to enhanced tyre product and brand mix and increased efficiencies which helped offset unprecedented increases in raw material costs. Net income also rose in the first half of 2005 by 35%, to $138 million from $102 million in the first half of 2004. BSAH benefited from strong growth in its Latin American Operations and in BFS Diversified Products, LLC. BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC also exhibited growth in the first half of 2005.

10th August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone: Smaller OP Drop Than Expected

Tyre maker Bridgestone Corp. said on Tuesday first-half operating profit edged up despite higher raw materials prices, and it lifted its full-year forecasts citing robust sales of high-end products. The higher forecast was expected after Bridgestone said last month it would likely post a smaller drop in 2005 operating profit than first thought thanks to brisk demand for tyres that offer higher safety or help raise fuel economy.

9th August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Sells Plantation to Bridgestone

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has completed the sale of its 95 per cent stake in Goodyear Sumatra Plantations to Bridgestone Corporation. The price was around $62 million.

9th August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Australia – Turnover Down, Profits Up

Bridgestone Australia has released its financial results for the first half of 2005. Turnover is down 2.6 per cent to A$ 262.3 million (1H 04 A$ 269.2 m) but profits after tax and expenses rose by 20.8 per cent to A$6.6 m (1H 04 A& 5.4 m).

9th August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Gain F1 Teams

The Williams, Red Bull and possibly the Toyota Formula 1 teams are to join the Bridgestone camp next season, German publication “Auto Motor & Sport” has reported. Bridgestone currently provides tyres to Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi, while Michelin produces tyres for all the remaining teams. This could mean that the current 7:3 ratio in favour of Michelin could become 6:4 in favour of Bridgestone next year. Both Bridgestone and Ferrari are likely to see the news as a positive development, as the manufacturer is currently only basing its data on one top team.

5th August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Strong growth at Bridgestone UK

Career Tracks, UK News

Since John McNaught took over at Bridgestone UK there have been a number of changes including some high profile acquisitions in the commercial vehicle sector. But in general the developments of the last few years can be summed up in one word, growth.

It has been a “phenomenally busy period,” John McNaught told Tyres & Accessories at the company’s Warwick, headquarters. “Bridgestone is in a very high period of growth and for all our staff it is a tremendously busy and rewarding time,” said Mr McNaught explaining that this is part of a long-term plan developed in conjunction with the company’s European management based in Brussels. John McNaught praised the efforts of all his team and highlighted the fact that the company has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People award.

2nd August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Build $100 Million Chinese Steel Cord Plant

Bridgestone Corp is to build a new $100 million steel-cord plant in southern China to feed its growing production base there, the manufacturer has reported. The plant, in Huizhou in the southern province of Guangdong, will produce steel cord for truck and bus radial tyres starting in January 2007, Bridgestone said.

2nd August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Raikkonen Wins Hungarian Grand Prix

Kimi Riakkonen’s Michelin clad McLaren won the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend. The result opened up the driver’s championship race, putting the Finnish driver back in contention. The remaining podium positions were taken the Ferrari and Toyota of brothers Michael and Ralph Schumacher. Michael Schumacher’s second place was one of Bridgestone’s highest placings this year, alongside the well-documented US Grand Prix.

1st August 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Adds New Winter Sizes

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is preparing for the winter months ahead with size additions to the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 RFT, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 and Winterforce tyre lines.

29th July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Settles With Chinese Manufacturer Over Patent Dispute

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it has settled its patent infringement dispute with major Chinese manufacturer, Shandong Chengshan Tire Co, Ltd.

The dispute centres around the patents the Japanese manufacturer acquired on the design of its R288 and M858 radial truck and bus tyres. Bridgestone reports that in November 2004, the company “discussed continuously” with Shandong Chengshan asking it to cease production of its CST66 and CST88 Shandong Chengshan tyres. Bridgestone contended that these radial truck and bus tyres closely resembled the design of its R288 and M858 products.

29th July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Welcomes ‘Greatest Drive’ Award

The Volkswagen Golf GTI, which fits Bridgestone Potenza tyres, has been voted the ‘Greatest Drive’ of 2005 by Auto Express magazine.

“This is excellent news,” said Andy Lane, consumer marketing manager at Bridgestone UK. “The Golf GTI is an exciting, top-of-the-range car that requires the very best in grip and control, and this is just another example of how the UK’s top cars can perform at their best on Bridgestone rubber.”

27th July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Union Workers OK New Contract With BFNAT

(Akron/Tire Review) United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1155, representing workers at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) truck tyre plant in warren County, Tennessee, have ratified a new three-year contract. The vote, completed within the last 24 hours, averts a planned strike at the plant.

26th July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Continue RFT Investment

Bridgestone continued its programme of preparing First Stop dealers for a rise in run-flat replacement fitments by inviting them to test the technology at a specially designed event in Bedford.

Dealers were given the chance to drive BMW 3-Series cars fitted with original-equipment Bridgestone Potenza RE050 RFT run-flat tyres around a track designed to simulate a variety of different road conditions, in order to test the tyres for themselves.

25th July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Local Agrees to Re-Vote on Contract

(Akron/Tire Review) There may not be a strike at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) truck tyre plant in Warren County, Tennessee, after all. United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1155 leaders yesterday announced that they would allow rank and file members to re-vote on BFNAT’s master contract offer, beginning today.

22nd July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Third Truck Point Business Manager

Bridgestone UK has appointed Stuart Monk (34) as the third business development manager for the Truck Point network of independent truck tyre dealers. Mr Monk, who will cover the Midlands area, has a strong financial background in banking, joining Bridgestone UK in 2002 and working in senior positions in the central billing department. His new role is structured round initiatives being taken by Bridgestone to support the independents’ business activities with fleet customers and to ensure that there are clear lines of communication between Bridgestone UK, the fleets and the dealers.

20th July 2005/by Tyrepress Editors