Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc Company Overview Essay -- essays papers

Bridgestone/Firestone Company Overview Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, was formed in 1990 when Bridgestone U.S.A. merged with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. In addition to manufacturing tires, Bridgestone/Firestone produces a variety of products including air springs, building materials, synthetic and natural rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Nashville, Tennessee-based company has over 38 QS9000/ISO9000 Certified production facilities throughout the Americas, along with numerous international facilities throughout the world. Firestone's company philosophy is derived from a blend of Japanese and Americans methods, with a focus on providing quality products. In the words of the former leaders of Bridgestone and Firestone, Bridgestone/Firestone strives to "Serve Society with Products of Superior Quality" and to be the "Best Today ? Still Better Tomorrow." Bridgestone/Firestone is best known for it's production of tires (more than 8,000 different types and sizes), which account for more than 75 percent of its annual revenues. As a leader in world tire technology, Firestone utilizes research and development centers in three countries and testing centers around the world to help develop, manufacture and market tires for almost every kind of vehicle. (Bridgestone/Firestone Profile) Strengths Bridgestone/Firestone finds much of its strength in having "one of the richest tire makers in the world as its parent" (Chappell, 09/11/00). Bridgestone Corporation has been around since 1931 and has established itself as a well-known international manufacturer of tires, rubber products, automotive products, chemical products, sporting goods, and other products (Bridgestone Annual Report, 1999). The resources and prestige of having Bridgestone as a parent gives Firestone an extra edge in the market. One of Firestone's biggest strengths is the fact that Firestone's passenger vehicle trade is not the critical part of Bridgestone Corp's world profit picture. Roughly 60% of Bridgestone's North American profits came from the sale of heavy-duty truck tires. Firestone has a 16% share of that market, and the Bridgestone brand holds another 6.5 percent share. Another strength for Firestone is its well-established brand name. According to an Automotive News reporter, the Firestone brand is "posi... ...ndsay. Automotive News, September 11, 2000 v75 i5893 p47. "Firestone's Non-Ford Customers Show Little Concern Over Recall." Chappell, Lindsay. Automotive News, September 25, 2000 v75 i5895 p8. "More Firestones for Honda Civic" "3 suppliers may sell tires for next Explorer." Automotive News, Sept 4, 2000 v75 i5892 p8. "The tire flap: behind the feeding frenzy." Business Week, October 16, 2000 i3703 p126. Firestone Tire Recall Legal Information Center, http://www.firestone-tire-recall.com Grimaldi, James V. and Caroline Mayer, Washington Post, "4 Former Firestone Workers Deposed," August 24, 2000, pE01. Hess, David. National Journal, September 16, 2000 v32 i38 p2896. "Firestone's Other Tire Debacle." "A Company Under Fire: Did Firestone do Enough to Protect Its Own Workers?," Newsweek, September 18, 2000 p30. "Ford, Fireston knew of tire problems for years." United Press International, September 29, 2000 p1008271u8435. "Testimony Indicates Abuse at Firestone," United Press International, August 14, 2000 p1008226u6557. Wilson, Amy. Automotive News, September 4, 2000 v75 i5892 p8. "Labor Unions Unrest Adds to Bridgestone/Firestone's Problems" Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc Company Overview Essay -- essays papers Bridgestone/Firestone Company Overview Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, was formed in 1990 when Bridgestone U.S.A. merged with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. In addition to manufacturing tires, Bridgestone/Firestone produces a variety of products including air springs, building materials, synthetic and natural rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Nashville, Tennessee-based company has over 38 QS9000/ISO9000 Certified production facilities throughout the Americas, along with numerous international facilities throughout the world. Firestone's company philosophy is derived from a blend of Japanese and Americans methods, with a focus on providing quality products. In the words of the former leaders of Bridgestone and Firestone, Bridgestone/Firestone strives to "Serve Society with Products of Superior Quality" and to be the "Best Today ? Still Better Tomorrow." Bridgestone/Firestone is best known for it's production of tires (more than 8,000 different types and sizes), which account for more than 75 percent of its annual revenues. As a leader in world tire technology, Firestone utilizes research and development centers in three countries and testing centers around the world to help develop, manufacture and market tires for almost every kind of vehicle. (Bridgestone/Firestone Profile) Strengths Bridgestone/Firestone finds much of its strength in having "one of the richest tire makers in the world as its parent" (Chappell, 09/11/00). Bridgestone Corporation has been around since 1931 and has established itself as a well-known international manufacturer of tires, rubber products, automotive products, chemical products, sporting goods, and other products (Bridgestone Annual Report, 1999). The resources and prestige of having Bridgestone as a parent gives Firestone an extra edge in the market. One of Firestone's biggest strengths is the fact that Firestone's passenger vehicle trade is not the critical part of Bridgestone Corp's world profit picture. Roughly 60% of Bridgestone's North American profits came from the sale of heavy-duty truck tires. Firestone has a 16% share of that market, and the Bridgestone brand holds another 6.5 percent share. Another strength for Firestone is its well-established brand name. According to an Automotive News reporter, the Firestone brand is "posi... ...ndsay. Automotive News, September 11, 2000 v75 i5893 p47. "Firestone's Non-Ford Customers Show Little Concern Over Recall." Chappell, Lindsay. Automotive News, September 25, 2000 v75 i5895 p8. "More Firestones for Honda Civic" "3 suppliers may sell tires for next Explorer." Automotive News, Sept 4, 2000 v75 i5892 p8. "The tire flap: behind the feeding frenzy." Business Week, October 16, 2000 i3703 p126. Firestone Tire Recall Legal Information Center, http://www.firestone-tire-recall.com Grimaldi, James V. and Caroline Mayer, Washington Post, "4 Former Firestone Workers Deposed," August 24, 2000, pE01. Hess, David. National Journal, September 16, 2000 v32 i38 p2896. "Firestone's Other Tire Debacle." "A Company Under Fire: Did Firestone do Enough to Protect Its Own Workers?," Newsweek, September 18, 2000 p30. "Ford, Fireston knew of tire problems for years." United Press International, September 29, 2000 p1008271u8435. "Testimony Indicates Abuse at Firestone," United Press International, August 14, 2000 p1008226u6557. Wilson, Amy. Automotive News, September 4, 2000 v75 i5892 p8. "Labor Unions Unrest Adds to Bridgestone/Firestone's Problems"