History

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1930

Tire Division of Nihon Tabi Company, the predecessor of Bridgestone, started to produce the first tires.

1931

Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd was established in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan.

1934

Full-fledged tire production begins at newly-constructed Kurume Plant.

1935

Full-fledged production of golf balls begins.

1937

1. Head office relocated from Kurume to Tokyo.
2. Start of production of V-belts and rubber hoses and trial production of vibration-damping rubber.

1942

Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd was renamed to Nippon Tire Co., Ltd.

1951

1. Company name reverts to Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd.; company flag established.

2. Construction begins on Bridgestone headquarters in Tokyo.

   

1953

Sales surpass 10 billion yen, as Bridgestone assumes position of industry leader in Japan.

1956

The 25th anniversary ceremony was held in Kurume and the Ishibashi Cultural Center, a comprehensive park, was donated to the city.

1961

Bridgestone was listed on the Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges.

1962

1. Bridgestone announces successful development of Steel Rib tires, Japan's first steel radials for truck and bus use.
2. Construction of the Technical Center completed in Tokyo.

1964

Bridgestone develops Japan's first passenger vehicle radials.

1965

The Malaysia Plant, Bridgestone's first postwar overseas plant, begins operating.

1967

1. Bridgestone Tire Shop system launched in Japan.
2. Bridgestone Tire Company of America Ltd. was established to serve as the company's U.S. sales headquarters in Los Angeles.

1968

1. Bridgestone establishes its motto: "Serving society with superior quality."

2. Bridgestone wins the Deming Application Prize.

   

1970

First Bridgestone Golf Tournament, now the Bridgestone Open, was held.

1976

Founder Shojiro Ishibashi passes away.

1982

1. Opening of a first store in the new Cockpit chain in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture.
2. The first studless winter tire, the Winter Radial 708 Studless, introduced in Japan.

1983

Bridgestone acquires Firestone's Nashville Plant as its first US production plant.

1984

1. Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. was renamed to Bridgestone Corporation and new corporate logo adopted.
2. Bridgestone implemented a corporate identity to strengthen both domestic and oversea strategies, and to improve its company quality.

1988

Bridgestone merges Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, the second-largest US tire maker, for US$2.6 billion.

1989

Firestone announced plans to merge with Bridgestone U.S.A. Inc., to change its name to Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

1990

Bridgestone/Firestone Europe S.A. was established to supervise and administer all Bridgestone/Firestone subsidiaries in the European region.

1993

Businesses under the jurisdiction of Bridgestone's Sports Division transferred to Bridgestone Sports, with production and sales of sporting goods consolidated into the latter company.

1994

Bridgestone/Firestone Europe S.A. started sales and logistics operations in Europe.

1995

Firestone returns to Indy car racing and the Indianapolis 500^® for the first time in 20 years.

1997

Bridgestone participates in its first Formula 1^® race.

1998

In Bridgestone's second year of participation in Formula 1^® racing, the McLaren racing team's Mika Häkkinen wins the Japanese Grand Prix, the final Formula 1^® Grand Prix race, the first time a car running on Bridgestone tires wins both the driver's and constructor's titles.

1999

Bridgestone absorbs a producer of steel tire cords; Bridgestone Metalpha Corp.

2000

Construction completed on both the new Technical Center and the Yokohama Diversified Products Technical Center.

2001

1. Construction completed on the Bridgestone Today Museum in Kodaira, Tokyo.
2. Bridgestone reformed the company philosophy.
3. Bridgestone/Firestone restructures its businesses through a transfer to a holding-company structure (Bridgestone/ Firestone Americas Holdings) and the creation of several spin-off companies.

2002

1. Founder Shojiro Ishibashi inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame.
2. A management vision, brand vision and environmental philosophy established.

2003

1. A safety declaration established.
2. Reconstruction of the disaster prevention system.

2004

Bridgestone (China) Investment Co.,Ltd, management of sales, manufacturing, research and development of tires established in China.

2006

1. Founder Shojiro Ishibashi inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

   
2. Bridgestone implements organizational reform consisting of Strategic Business Units (SBU), Global Management Platform (GMP), and Global Head Office (GHO).

2007

Bridgestone acquires Bandag, Inc., one of the world's leading tire retread businesses.

2009

The Kitakyushu Plant begins its operation as the 10th tire plant in Japan.

2011

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Bridgestone Group's founding, Bridgestone refined the Bridgestone symbol and its tagline is revised to "Your Journey, Our Passion."

2013

Establishment of the Global Executive Committee (Global EXCO), which is the highest-level committee involved in the Bridgestone Group business execution.

2014

Bridgestone becomes Worldwide Olympic Partner.

2016

1. Bridgestone introduced EXAMATION tire assembling system at Tatabánya Plant in Hungary.
2. Bridgestone commenced verification tests of a fleet solution using Tirematics™ in Rio de Janeiro.

2017

Bridgestone redefined its global corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, “Our Way to Serve.”

2018

1. Bridgestone becomes Worldwide Paralympic Partner.
2. Establishment of “Global Sustainable Procurement Policy,” "Bridgestone Group’s Global Human Rights Policy," and "Bridgestone Code of Conduct."

2019

Bridgestone acquired Europe’s largest digital fleet solutions provider, TomTom Telematics (currently Webfleet Solutions).

2020

Bridegstone introduces "Bridgestone MASTERCORE" Line which provides Mine Sites with customized tire performance.

2022

1. Bridgestone Innovation Park commences full-scale operation for creating new value through innovation.
2. Establishment of corporate commitment, "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" to realize its vision:
   "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company."