A Look at Bridgestone's History
Bridgestone is the largest tyre manufacturer worldwide. The multinational corporation was founded in 1931 in Japan by Shojiro Ishibashi, and it has been growing steadily to become a global leader in the tyre and rubber industry.
Bridgestone's global success can be attributed to its focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With operations in over 150 countries, the company has solidified its position as a leader in the tyre and rubber industry.
At Kogarah Tyrepower, we offer a wide range of Bridgestone tyres for most makes and models, including popular brands like Alfa Romeo, Dodge Demon, and BMW. We proudly serve St. George, Rockdale, and Kogarah areas, providing top-quality tyres and exceptional customer service.
Let’s deep dive into Bridgestone's history and product range:
1931-1940: First Bridgestone Tyre
Bridgestone's first tyre was manufactured in 1930 by the "Tabi" Socks Tire Division of Japan. Around one year later, the founder established Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd., which led to the independence of the "Tabi" socks Tire Division of Japan.
From 1931 to 1940, Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. focused on producing tyres using Japanese technology, which led to the rapid expansion of the business both domestically and globally due to enhancements made to its technology.
1941-1950: Challenges During Wartime
World War II had a negative impact on Bridgestone's business operations, and they had to face the challenge of rebuilding. The company's Tokyo headquarters building was destroyed during an aerial bombing raid, and they also lost their assets overseas.
After the war ended, Bridgestone was able to resume production right away because its plants in Kurume and Yokohama were not damaged. As time went by, the company grew stronger and became a more resilient organisation despite the challenges posed by the war.
1961-1970: Radial Tyres and Global Expansion
In 1961, Bridgestone went public and implemented the Deming Plan for quality management, winning the Deming Prize for Excellence.
The company also introduced its first passenger radial tyre in 1967. Throughout the 1960s, Bridgestone expanded its operations, including the founding of Bridgestone Tire Company of America in the same year.
1971-1980: Asia and Oceania Expansion
During the 1970s, Bridgestone placed a strong emphasis on developing its in-house radial tyre manufacturing technology and constructing new tyre factories in Japan. This period also saw the introduction of the high-performance POTENZA radial tyre in 1979.
Over the following decades, Bridgestone continued to experience robust growth and expansion, solidifying its position as a major player in the tyre and rubber industry.
1981-1990: Bridgestone Became a Global Leader
In March 1981, Bridgestone celebrated its 50th anniversary and began expanding globally to become one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers.
The company started producing truck and bus tyres at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in North America in 1983.
By 1988, Bridgestone had grown into one of the world's largest tyre and rubber companies, thanks to its acquisition of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company."
In 1984, the company’s corporate identity, Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. was renamed to Bridgestone Corporation, and the Bridgestone logo was redesigned.
1991-2000: Global Expansion
In 1992, Bridgestone established new European and North American headquarters.
Moreover, in 1995, Bridgestone reintroduced the Firestone brand to the Indianapolis 500 race and Indy Car racing, a highly popular motorsport in America, to augment the company's brand recognition and continue the tradition of motorsports superiority associated with Firestone.
Additionally, in 1997, Bridgestone entered the most globally renowned and technologically advanced racing competition, Formula 1.
Bridgestone tyres at Kogarah Tyrepower
If you are looking for expert advice and the full range of Bridgestone tyres in Rockdale, call us on (02) 9587 3366. We can provide professional advice. Our team is willing to assist you in selecting the right tyres for your vehicle.
Kogarah Tyrepower serves in Kogarah and nearby areas, such as Hurstville, Sans Souci, Arncliffe and the St George area. We have in stock an extensive selection of tyres from leading brands, including Pirelli, Continental, Toyo and Michelin, in addition to Bridgestone tyres.
We also conduct ‘pink slip’ roadworthy inspections and offer a range of tyre and wheel services, such as wheel balancing and alignment, fitting tyres, and puncture repairs.
