Bridgestone
Bridgestone Corporation was founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi (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 second largest tire manufacturer in the world, next to Michelin, and is Japan's largest tire manufacturer.
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.
In 1988 it acquired American tire manufacturer Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.
Bridgestone supplies tires to the Ferrari, Williams, Toyota, Super Aguri and Midland Formula One teams. From 2008 to 2010 Bridgestone will become the sole tyre supplier. [1]
The Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd. offers bicycles under its own brand and under the Anchor brand. Their initial entry into the American market was as manufacturers of mountain bicycles, whose philosophy was traditionalists eschewing the latest fads and styles; although their products were viewed as well-made, this did not provide the desired market penetration.
External links
Main
- Bridgestone Corporation Japanese Homepage
- Bridgestone Corporation English Homepage
- Bridgestone Cycle Co.,Ltd. Homepage
- Anchor Bikes Homepage