BRIDGESTONE | COMPANY HISTORY


Foundation


1950's 1974


1984


Present 2011.3


IS THERE A STORY BEHIND THE BRIDGESTONE LOGO? The first logo took inspiration from the ‘stone bridge’, using the shape of the keystone – the stone that holds everything together at the top of an archway. Since then, the logo has undergone many changes, which you can see here. In 1984, the familiar black and red corporate identity was created. The iconic logo was redesigned in March to mark the 80th anniversary of Bridgestone, and retains the familiar style and shape but gives it a fresh, modern look.


WHAT OTHER THINGS DOES BRIDGESTONE MAKE? As well as tyres, Bridgestone also makes conveyor belts, bicycles, sporting goods, high-performance film, car seat pads (from polyurethane foam) and seismic isolation rubber (which is used to help buildings withstand earthquakes, like shock absorbers). Although tyres makes up 83% of the business, those other products account for 17%.


HOW MANY TYRES ARE MADE ANNUALLY? 1,770,000 tonnes of rubber was produced in 2010, with Japan and the Americas being the largest producers. Bridgestone also has 140,000 consolidated employees.


WHAT IS THE COMPANY’S BIGGEST MARKET? Bridgestone sells products in more than 150 countries around the world. In terms of sales, the Americas is the biggest market.


WHERE DOES FIRESTONE FIT IN? In May 1988, Bridgestone acquired The Firestone Tyre & Rubber Company, which transformed Bridgestone into one of the world's largest tyre and rubber companies. The acquisition of


6 JUNE 2011 real QUESTIONS real ANSWERS


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