Bridgestone
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| Bridgestone Corporation
<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align:center; padding:16px 0 16px 0;"> | |
| Type | Public (TYO: 5108 ) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1930 by Shojiro Ishibashi |
| Headquarters | Image:Flag of Japan (bordered).svg Tokyo, Japan
<tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Key people</th><td>Chairman of the Board, CEO and President,Shoshi Arakawa</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Industry</th><td>Manufacturing</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Products</th><td>Motor Vehicle Tyres</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Operating income</th><td>Image:Green Arrow Up.svg $2138 in Hundred Million YEN (2005)</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Net income</th><td>Image:Green Arrow Up.svg $129 in Hundred Million YEN (2005)</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Employees</th><td>123,727 (As of December 31, 2005)</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Slogan</th><td>Passion for Excellence</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Website</th><td>www.bridgestone.com</td></tr> |
Bridgestone Corporation (株式会社ブリヂストン Kabushiki-gaisha Burijisuton?) (TYO: 5108 ) is a Japanese rubber conglomerate founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi (石橋正二郎 Ishibashi Shōjirō?) in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. The name Bridgestone comes from a literal translation and transposition of ishibashi, meaning "stone bridge" in Japanese. It is currently the largest tire manufacturer in the world, and is Japan's largest tire manufacturer.
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[edit] Company Origins
The name Bridgestone was supposedly used because of fear that Americans would not respond well to a foreign company.
The very first Bridgestone tyre was produced on April 9th, 1930, by the Japan "Tabi"socks Tire Division. Approximately one year after first tire was born, on March 1st, 1931, the founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, made the Japan "Tabi"socks Tire Division independent and established the Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. Foregoing dependence on European and North American technology, the Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. set its eyes on manufacturing tires based solely on Japanese technology, but experienced many difficulties in the areas of technology, production and sales in the early days. Overcoming these problems, it was not long before improvements were achieved in quality, and business rapidly expanded on both the domestic and overseas markets.
Challenges During and After World War II
Wartime regulations were in effect throughout the whole of Japan, and tires also came under the jurisdiction of these regulations. This resulted in nearly all of the company's output being used to satisfy military demand. 1945 saw the end of armed conflict, but the company had received a direct result of the war. The Tokyo Headquarters building was destroyed during an aerial bombing raid, and all overseas assets were lost. Fortunately, the plants in Kurume and Yokohama escaped unscathed, and production was able to recommence immediately after the war ended. Brushing aside the problems caused by a labor union strike that lasted for forty-six days, the foundations of the company were further reinforced after this.
After World War II Bridgestone started manufacturing motorcycles, but its main income was from supplying tires to its rival motorcycle makers such as Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha and it was later decided to cease motorcycle manufacturing.
Technological Innovation and the Establishment of Systems of Mass-Production and Mass-Sales
In 1951, Bridgestone was the first company in Japan to begin selling rayon cord tires, and a five-year project to modernize production facilities was started. This year also saw another Bridgestone building opened in Kyobashi, Tokyo, which contained the Bridgestone Museum. Sales surpassed ten billion yen in 1953, placing Bridgestone at the top of tire industry in Japan, and celebrations were held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company's foundation in Kurume. The sale of nylon tires was started in 1959, and work forged ahead with the construction of the new Tokyo plant, which was opened in 1960, in order to cope with the fast-expanding market for motorization.
The Sale of Radial Tires and the Start of Overseas Expansion
The company issued shares and was listed on the stock exchange in 1961, and moved across to a new system of administration with Shojiro Ishibashi as the chairman, and Kanichiro Ishibashi as the president. As part of the transition across to administrative reform, the Deming Plan, which involves overall quality control activities, was adopted, and the company was awarded the prestigious Deming Prize in 1968. Also, additions were built onto the Tokyo plant in 1962 to house the new Technical Center, and a progressive system of research and development was established. On the product front, 1967 saw the sale of first ever radial tire, the RD10. Bridgestone's first overseas plant since the end of the war was opened in Singapore in 1965, and production was also commenced in Thailand in 1969. The 60s for Bridgestone was an era of overseas expansion that also included the establishment of Bridgestone America in the United States in 1967 to act as Bridgestone's USA representative sales branch.
The Completion of Plants in Japan, and Expansion into Asia and Oceania
At the start of the period of Japan's economic stagnation brought about by the first oil shock, the company was placing even more emphasis on establishing its own technology for the manufacture of radial tires, and it was also at this time that further domestic plants were constructed and fitted out. Its Super Filler Radial was placed on the market in 1978, and in 1979 the company brought out the high-performance POTENZA radial tire. The company was actively engaged in overseas expansion activities at this time, and in addition to starting up production in Indonesia and Iran in 1976, it was also invested in a Taiwanese tire manufacturer and purchased a tire plant and a plant for diversified products in Australia in 1980. The founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, died on September 11th, 1976.
On March 1st, 1981, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary since its foundation. At the same time, the company initiated activities to strengthen its home base that supported overseas expansion strategy with the aim of being ranked as one of the world's top three manufacturers of rubber products. New production facilities were also established in Thailand, India, Poland, China, the United States and other countries, and this has spurred the company on in the quest for globalization. To further establish corporate identity, the company changed the name from Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. to Bridgestone Corporation in 1984.
As Global Company of Excellence
Bridgestone is constantly ranked as a top company in the global tire market. As of the end of 2005, production facilities belonging to the Bridgestone Group have increased to 141 spread throughout twenty-four nations of the world. In order to attain this level of globalization, the company established a new set of corporate policies in the year 2001. In continuation of this, company's Brand Vision was also established in 2003.
[edit] Bridgestone Around The World
Bridgestone has major manufacturing plants in many countries around the world, some of the major plants are located in:
| JAPAN | EUROPE | AMERICAS | ASIA/OCEANIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Italy | North America | Australia |
| Hungary | Argentina | New zealand | |
| Poland | Brasil | China | |
| Spain | Costa Rica | India | |
| Iran | Puerto Rico | Indonesia | |
| Turkey | Mexico | Korea |
[edit] Bridgestone/Firestone in the USA
As part of reinforcement plans, the company purchased a plant in Tennessee from the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, first manufacturing plant in North America, and started the production of Radial tires for Trucks and Buses in 1983. In May 1988, a take-over bid for America's No.2 tire manufacturer Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. was successful and Firestone was placed under umbrella as a subsidiary company, which brought a large number of production sites in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and other locations, Bridgestone also commenced production in Turkey under a joint management scheme to cement advance towards globalization.
Further Promotion of Globalization
Having put all of effort into rebuilding Firestone after its buyout, the company achieved surplus annual profits for the year 1992 with BFE (the headquarters for European operations) and again in 1993 with BFS (Firestone Co. and Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd of the United States were amalgamated in 1990.) In order to increase company's brand awareness, Bridgestone reentered the Firestone brand into America's most popular motor sport, the IndyCar race, in 1995, and in 1997 entered the Bridgestone brand into F1 racing.
[edit] Bridgestone and Formula 1 Racing
Bridgestone supplies tires to the Ferrari, Williams, Toyota, Super Aguri and Midland Formula One teams. From 2008 to 2010 Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship. <REF>http://www.formula1.com/news/4601.html Formula One News</REF> However, because Michelin will conclude its Formula One tyre program at the end of the 2006 season, all teams will use Bridgestone tyres for the 2007 season.
[edit] Bridgestone Golf Products
Today Bridgestone shares the same passion for the game of golf as it's founder. Mr. Ishibashi converted his golf passion into a commercial success when Bridgestone first produced golf balls in 1935.
Along with technical developments in tire technology came breakthroughs in golf ball technology that have led Bridgestone to be the number one golf ball producer in Japan.
Design and production of golf clubs followed in 1972 with the same passion for excellence propelling Bridgestone to a leadership position in the current marketplace.
Bridgestone has global Coverage of it's Golfing Products with major divisions in USA(Bridgestone Golf USA)<REF>http://www.bridgestonegolf.com Bridgestone Golf USA </REF> and Australia(Bridgestone Golf Australia)<REF>http://www.bridgestonegolf.com.au Bridgestone Golf Australia </REF>.
[edit] Bridgestone Cycle Co LTD - Anchor Cycles
The Bridgestone Cycle Co Ltd <REF>http://www.bscycle.co.jp/en Bridgestone Cycle Co</REF>. originated in 1949. It offers bicycles under its own brand and under the Anchor brand<REF>http://www.anchor-bikes.com Anchor Bikes</REF>.
The US marketing director of the Bicycle division developed a reputation for resisting popular trends in the bicycle industry and instead following his own personal philosophy of building dependable bicycles. The company was an innovator in the nascent mountain bike scene, designing mountain bicycles with shorter chainstays and steeper frame angles than was currently popular. This made the bicycle more nimble and a better climber, and the rest of the industry adopted Bridgestone's model.
[edit] Bridgestone in Australia
In 1980 Bridgestone took over the Australian plants which were at that time operated by the Uniroyal Tyre Company. Bridgestone Australia<REF>http://www.bridgestone.com.au Bridgestone Australia</REF> has three major manufacturing plants in Australia. A tyre factory located in Salisbury, South Australia and an Automotive Components Division located at Edwardstown, South Australia. The Edwardstown plant is operated under the BSTG company name which is a joint venture with Toyoga. The third plant located in Dandenong, Victoria, is a manufacturer of Bridgestone Brand (Airstep) Carpet Underlay. Bridgestone has State Offices in All states of Australia and has a large number of retail outlets across the country.
In 2002 Bridgestone Australia Ltd purchased the BANDAG Retreading plant and it's operations in Australia. Bandag Manufacturing Pty Limited <REF>http://www.bandag.com.au Bandag Manufacturing Pty Limited </REF> has 35 Franchised Bandag Dealers across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Noumea.
Bandag Manufacturing Pty Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Australia Limited and operates under license to Bandag Incorporated<REF>http://www.bandag.com Bandag Incorporated</REF>. The combination of Bandag Cold Process Retreads and premium new tyres provides road transport operators with one of the most cost effective and reliable tyre solutions on the market today.
[edit] Bridgestone Diversified Products
The predecessors of Bridgestone began making diversified products in the 1930s, soon after they started making tires. Today, Bridgestone diversified operations encompass automotive components, industrial products, polyurethane foam products, construction materials, parts and materials for electronic equipment, bicycles and sporting goods. Diversified business generates about one-fourth of total sales in the Bridgestone Group.
Automotive parts are an especially large line of business for Bridgestone in diversified operations. Bridgestone supply automakers with vibration-isolating components, such as engine mounts. Bridgestone also supply air springs for trucks, automobiles and train carriages. Bridgestone market aluminum wheels and other automotive accessories, too.
Bridgestone's industrial products span a vast range of items. They include polyurethane foam for automotive seats and interiors, for bedding and furniture and for insulation and sealing in appliances and buildings; water hoses; marine hoses for loading and unloading oil tankers; specialty precision hose products, such as wire-blade hose for construction equipment and machine tools; conveyor belts; and rubber tracks for crawler tractors.
The Bridgestone product line in construction and civil engineering materials is similarly broad. Bridgestone supply Multi-Rubber Bearings for installing in foundations to protect buildings from earthquakes, inflatable rubber dams for managing waterways, marine fenders for protecting wharves, additives for pavement, waterproofing sheet, rubberized ceiling and roofing materials, panel tanks for storing water, bath fixtures and residential flooring, air and water systems.
Bridgestone's line of products for electronic equipment includes precision rollers for office machines and functional films for solar cells and plasma displays. In sporting goods, Bridgestone market golf balls and clubs and tennis balls and rackets. Bridgestone's line of bicycles is Japan's most extensive - see above information re-Anchor Cycles.
[edit] External links
[edit] Main
- (Japanese) Bridgestone Corporation Japanese Homepage
- (English) Bridgestone Corporation English Homepage
[edit] MotorSport
- (English) Bridgestone Motorsport English Homepage
[edit] References
<references/>
[edit] Data
- Yahoo! - Bridgestone Corporation Company Profile
- Sheldon Brown's Article on Bridgestone Bicyclesca:Bridgestone
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