Bridgestone

Bridgestone is the world's largest tyre manufacturer with 141 production plants in 24 nations. It has a complete range of tyres for all manners of vehicles, including aircraft.

In 2009 Bridgestone was named a Supplier of the Year by the Boeing Company. Bridgestone currently supplies tyres for the Boeing 737-900ER, 747, 767, 777 and the 787 Dreamliner, to be commissioned in late 2010.

Bridgestone is at the forefront of the sustainable growing of rubber and in 2010 entered into an agreement with the World Agroforestry Centre. Together, they will provide small-scale rubber farmers in Indonesia with research and teaching in best practice methods to stabilise the region's rubber plantations for the future.

TyreLAND promotes Duravis light commercial, Bridgestone truck and Potenza car tyres.

Background

Bridgestone started as a socks manufacturing company in Japan in 1930. The Bridgestone Tire Company Limited was founded in 1931 by Mr Shojiro Ishibari, whose surname literally translates to "Bridgestone". It survived the war despite its largest factory being fire-bombed. In 1988 Bridgestone purchased the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company.

For more information, visit www.bridgestone.co.nz.