Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.
The recent launch of Bridgestone’s Battlax Hypersport S20 EVO is being supported by a new promotional film starring Valentino Rossi. The multiple MotoGP world champion served as motorcycle tyre adviser during the S20 EVO’s development, and in the film he puts the hypersport tyre through its paces on a Yamaha YZF-R1. The short film can be viewed here.
Bridgestone’s stand at the 2014 edition of the CV Show reflected the prevailing opinion that this year showed an upturn in attendance. The tyre manufacturer, exhibiting its Total Tyre Life, Total Tyre Services and Total Tyre Systems tyre management components, said it saw a 42 per cent increase in visitor numbers on the previous year’s event. Bridgestone said that it hoped to convert the additional exposure of its Total Tyre Care package into increased business.
It has now been sole tyre supplier to the World Superbike championship for more than ten years and is also partner to national championships, including British Superbike. But is Pirelli looking to further extend its two-wheel motorsport participation? Bikesportnews.com says it is. Matteo Giusti, the tyre maker’s racing and product communication manager, told BSN that Pirelli is currently discussing its “next steps regarding the possibility to make an offer for MotoGP.” He added that Michelin and Dunlop have also expressed interest in supplying the championship, however at present nothing has been decided.
After what will be fourteen years of involvement, Bridgestone will end its MotoGP tyre supply at the end of the 2015 season. Series organiser Dorna has agreed to extend Bridgestone’s current supply contract, which was due to expire after the current season, for one year, and the company says this will then be its final season as tyre supplier. As was the case when it reported in 2009 its intention to wrap up supply to Formula One, the tyre maker links its decision to cease MotoGP supply to a fulfillment of the objectives it set out for itself in the championship.
Bridgestone has renewed its largest fleet contract for a further five years. Announced at the CV Show, the deal with Ryder, the UK’s leading provider of commercial vehicle rental, contract hire and maintenance solutions, represents a multi-million pound deal covering more than 24,500 trucks and trailers. Bridgestone’s 24-hour tyre management service network Truck Point was cited as a major factor behind Ryder’s decision to opt for the brand.
Bridgestone has formed a technical partnership with Belgian motorcycle brand Saroléa, designer of the Saroléa SP7 electric superbike that was shown for the first time during the Speed Trophy at Belgium’s Mettet circuit on 26 April. The deal will see Bridgestone provide technical support and tyre expertise for Saroléa’s track testing and racing plans, which for 2014 include the TT Zero Challenge at the Isle of Man TT series and the FIM eRoadRacing world cup series.
Bridgestone Europe and Cam International have shared details of a new tablet based work management system designed to reduce back-office issues and improve data entry in the commercial vehicle tyre sector. Speaking at a fringe meeting during the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham on 29 April, Bridgestone Europe’s Neil Purves (senior manager, automated inspection and systems development commercial product) and Cam’s Steve Daly explained that the two companies have been in talks since the last CV Show and have now made a Europe-wide cooperation agreement culminating in the development of the project’s software.
The number of motoring publications available in Germany means we are never short of tyre test results. On 17 April, sport auto (issue 5/2014) published the results of its summer tyre comparative test; ten tyres in the popular dimension 225/40 R18 were tested, with sport auto selecting a mixture of UHP and comfort-oriented tyres for evaluation in 14 criteria, including six dry condition criteria (worth 50 per cent of the final result), six wet condition criteria (40 per cent of final result) and two environmental criteria (ten per cent of final result). The tyres were tested fitted to a VW Golf GTI.
Another comparative tyre test from a German magazine – this time Autozeitung Allrad (issue 2/2104) has put half a dozen 4×4 tyres through their paces. A Mercedes-Benz ML350 was used to test the 255/50 R19 W/Y tyres. Autozeitung Allroad rated four of the six tyres highly.
Bridgestone has renewed its sponsorship of 16-year-old Redditch rider Rob Yates, following his “breakthrough” year of 2013. Bridgestone training development manager Mark Fereday predicted that Yates is “destined for greater things in the years ahead.” The tyre brand will supply tyres and clothing as Yates competes in such competitions as the GT Cup and British Schoolboy Motorcycle Association championships.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has filed a patent infringement and unfair trade practices suit against US based retreader and price-driven online tyre retailer TreadWright, claiming the company copied the tread design on its Dueler A/T Revo tyre, which is protected by a 2003 patent. According to Bridgestone, TreadWright initially used the design on its Sentinel tyre. After it issued a cease-and-desist letter to the company in 2013, TreadWright stopped selling that tyre and released a new tyre, called the Watchman, which, according to Bridgestone, had the same tread design.
NR Evans, one of the UK’s largest temperature controlled distribution fleets, has renewed its tyre service agreement with Bridgestone. The tyre supplier said that its Total Tyre Care package played a critical role in the company’s success during a competitive tendering process.
Bridgestone Europe says it wants to ‘reaffirm’ the Firestone brand in Europe and increase the profile of a name that has been present in the region since the construction of the first Firestone plant in Bilbao, Spain in 1931. In addition to the launch of a new Firestone website this summer, Bridgestone Europe is releasing a new tyre range that it says will play a key role in reasserting the Firestone core philosophy of allowing everyone the “freedom to drive and discover”.
The US Justice Department indicted one Bridgestone Corporation executive and two former officials for conspiring to fix the prices of certain automotive parts, reports Tire Review. Bridgestone itself agreed in February to plead guilty to price-fixing, paying a $425 million criminal fine. The case involves anti-vibration parts used in automotive suspension systems and engine mounts.
Business within the European retreading market is being subjected to centrifugal forces. While the tyre majors who supplement their new tyre portfolios with mould cure retreaded lines increasingly monopolise the growing premium segment, the budget segment is also enjoying growing attention. Competition is stiff in both segments and mid-range suppliers find themselves under increasing pressure, and as a consequence are striving to reposition and – particularly on the flanks of their markets – more broadly position themselves. The latest company to introduce a clear multi-brand strategy is Bridgestone Bandag. Its “premium Bandag retreading brand” will retain its strong position at the upper end of the market, and has been joined by a new product line for the budget market: “Protread by Bandag”. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories, the company outlines its plans and motivations.
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