The Story of Bridgestone Tyres

Founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi, Bridgestone Tyres is the world’s largest tyre manufacturing company, with 180+ factories in 20+ countries all around the world. The name ‘Bridgestone’ actually comes from the founder’s surname which translated to ‘Stone Bridge’. This Japanese manufacturing company is famous worldwide for its top-quality products that are made using the latest and most advanced technologies.

Aside from being the world’s largest manufacturer in tyres, Bridgestone has also supplied tyres to the Formula 1 races for nearly 14 years. Bridgestone also has the title of being the only tyre supplier to MotoGP and had participated in their races. Due to the premium quality of its products and the new and innovative technology employed in it, Bridgestone has always been actively involved with motorsports and renowned for their products for the same.

The Origin of Bridgestone

Bridgestone was formed as two separate companies, but they merged in 1988 to form the Bridgestone that we know of now, the first one being Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, founded in 1900 by Harvey Firestone in Ohio, USA, and the second one being the Bridgestone Tyre Company started by Shojiro Ishibashi in 1931 in Japan.

The company struggled a great deal during World War II, as it had to give its entire output for use in the war due to the regulations. It’s Tokyo headquarters was destroyed during an aerial bombing raid and faced a severe loss of assets and a long labour union strike as well. But with the end of the war, the company quickly started rebuilding and redeveloping products like bicycles, and soon after, bikes as well, which was discontinued in the later years as their focus shifted to tyres mainly.

Products and innovations

Being the first-ever company to sell rayon cord tyres in Japan, it soon became a top-selling company and started further expansion and development of its factories and products.

Here are some tyres and parts that it currently produces and sells:

• Car tyres

• 4x4 tyres

• Motorcycle tyres

• Van tyres

• Sports tyres

• Aircraft tyres

• Agricultural tyres

• Lorry tyres

• Car parts

• Industrial products and many more

Tyres and Affiliations

Bridgestone supplies tyres to several car companies that are then fitted in the cars as the original tyres. These companies are:

• BMW

• Ford

• Mercedes

• Fiat

• Volkswagen

• Peugeot

• Renault

• Toyota

And these are merely companies that sell majorly passenger cars, Bridgestone also supplies wheels for lorries and trucks to various companies as their original equipment. Not only that but they are a trusted brand which is chosen over and over by its consumers, as witnessed here at Tyres Birmingham, due to its splendid performance.

What sets them apart?

Bridgestone works actively in the development of designs that are more functional and improve the performance of the vehicle. Through intensive testing and development, they ensure that they only produce the best quality products that have a long-life and are reliable and efficient.

Not only are their products advanced and of optimum quality, but they are also very cautious and sensitive about the environment and develop methods and materials that cause less harm to nature. Its factory in North Carolina achieved an amazing record of zero waste to landfill, which is quite a feat, especially in the automobile industry. Their dedication and awareness towards the environment and development of environmentally sound techniques is a great effort by them.

In the various outlets of Bridgestone, such as Bridgestone Tyres Birmingham, you can find their top-quality tyres and other car products that are sure to bring out the best performance of your vehicle and offer safety and ease.