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Bridgestone M775 Given US Debut

Following its popularity with logging and oil service fleets in Canada, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire is making its Bridgestone M775 on/off-highway drive radial available to US fleets. Bridgestone reports that the M775 is idea for severe-service applications, and delivers superior traction and exceptional removal mileage while being usable at highway speeds to 65 mph.

This superior traction is provided by the tyre’s block tread and open shoulder design, which digs into soft surfaces. Angled block sipes enhance wet traction by breaking up pocketed water for a solid grip on wet surfaces. With a tread over one full inch deep, the M775 offers more than exceptional tyre life, says Bridgestone. Tough tread compounds combat lug base cracking, a common problem with many ultra-deep drive radials.

13th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Field Tests Prove Superiority, Firestone Ad Claims

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Firestone Agricultural Tire Co. has released a new video it claims proves that its tractor tyres deliver better traction than Michelin products. Named “Firestone’s “Tread to Tread Traction Demonstration,” Firestone Ag said the video is “a direct response to Michelin North America claims that the traction of the Michelin Agribib R-1W is equal to or better than that of the Firestone Radial All-Traction 23 R-1,” said company vice president Ken Allen.

“When Michelin released a video challenging the superiority of Firestone tyres and our 23-degree bar design, we decided to conduct a test to set the record straight,” he said. According to Firestone Ag, the company conducted head-to-head testing using identical tractors last November in Slater, Iowa. “Because farm operators have significant amounts of time, fuel and money at stake when they make their tyre choices, we decided to conduct a controlled demonstration that compared performance of the two tyres,” Allen said. “We believe that our Tread-to-Tread Traction Demonstration does just that.”

10th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Liberia Gets Into Wood Business

Bridgestone Americas Holding’s Firestone Liberia plantation unit has opened the first phase of its effort to process rubber wood. The company said the air-dried rubber wood is a value-added, ecologically sustainable product of its natural rubber operations. Firestone Liberia said the project will create 500 new jobs in the country.

Rubber trees will be processed after they reach the end of their lifecycle for producing latex, which is typically around 30 years. The old trees will be cut down and processed to a hardwood that cam be used in furniture and flooring. (Tire Review/Akron)

5th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Firestone to Deliver OE Tyre for Pontiac G8

Bridgestone Potenza tyres are OE on the new 2008 Pontiac G8. Potenza RE050A (size 245/45R18 96V) tyres are optional on the base model 2008 Pontiac G8 saloon and standard on the sportier G8 GT. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is also supplying an optional 245/40R19 94W Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyre for the G8 GT.

28th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Introduces New Duravis Tyre

The Bridgestone-brand Duravis M700 HD with exclusive UNI-T technology is the latest addition to the Bridgestone Duravis family of heavy-duty light truck and commercial tyres that deliver strength, durability and reliable performance for tackling the toughest tasks, the company said. A commercial-grade light truck all-terrain tyre, the M700 HD is intended for those who venture off-highway in the line of duty.

“Ambulances, construction trucks, land management fleets – even delivery vans,” noted Phil Pacsi, vice president of consumer marketing for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. “The Bridgestone Duravis M700 HD helps the hardest working drivers get the job done and avoid costly downtime.”

25th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Government of Liberia and Firestone Sign Agreement

Firestone Liberia has signed an Amended and Restated Concession Agreement with the government of Liberia. The agreement modifies the current 2005 concession agreement and comes after extended negotiations.

The government and Firestone have jointly affirmed that the amended agreement represents an opportunity for a new partnership between Firestone and the government in their support for the rehabilitation and enhancement of Liberia’s natural rubber industry.

25th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Employees Threaten Strike Action

Union employees at the Firestone Polymers plant in Orange, Texas, in the US are considering strike action in protest against alleged plans to replace a number of union members and reduce the pay of others. The local union, part of the USW, alleges that management wants to replace about 20 operator-helpers with contract employees who he said would earn less, and reduce pay of 22 other union workers by US$8.40 per hour.

22nd February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNT Extends Warranty For Bridgestone, Bandag Products

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) has introduced an extended warranty for its premium truck tyres and casings, increasing the coverage period for seven years and three retreads. The new limited warranty covers the Bridgestone brand commercial tyres sold in North America and casings when retreaded with the Bandag process.

Bridgestone offers to replace Bridgestone brand medium commercial truck tyres if they become unusable before wearing to 2/32˝ remaining tread depth within seven years from the date of manufacture; BFNT will credit the owner $130.00 ($160.00 in Canada). If a Bridgestone-brand casing becomes unusable before three Bandag retreads, the owner will be credited $100.00 ($125.00 in Canada).

21st February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Shown the Door at Speedco

US truck fast fit chain Speedco, majority owned by Bridgestone Bandag LLC, announced on February 15 that it would phase out Michelin as the premium tyre brand offered at its outlets, replacing the range with products from Bridgestone and Firestone. The company reports that truck tyres from the Bridgestone family will join Bandag retreads at the 51 Speedco locations throughout the US.

“Our customers appreciate the speed in which we return them to the road, and they come back for the value and the quality,” commented Speedco president Mark Clark. “The addition of the Bridgestone and Firestone brands enhances our offering with best-in-class tyres in the popular sizes our customers are looking for.”

19th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Former Senior BFNAT Exec Appointed CEO of ABC Supply

Former president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Retail Operations and executive vice president of Bridgestone/Firestone in the US, David Luck, has taken on the position of CEO with ABC Supply Co. Luck assumed the position with the large American wholesaler of roofing, windows and building cladding following the sudden death of company founder, chairman and CEO Ken Hendricks last December.

David Luck will also continue in his current capacity as company president, the role he has served in since 1998 following his retirement from the tyre major after 27 years.

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

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 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

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