News

News

Bridgestone Group Companies Donate to Haiti Relief Efforts-Donations from across the Bridgestone family of companies total more than US$75,000-

Tokyo (January 21, 2010) - Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation will join two of its subsidiaries, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) and Bridgestone de Costa Rica, S.A. (BSCR) in donating approximately ¥7 million (more than US$75,000) to assist with relief efforts following the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.

Bridgestone will donate ¥2.5 million (approximately US$27,000), through the Japanese Red Cross Society. BSAM, through the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, will donate ¥2.25 million (US$25,000) to the relief efforts through the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

BSCR, a subsidiary of BSAM in Costa Rica, will lead the relief support in Latin America, pledging ¥2.25 million (US$25,000) to Habitat for Humanity International. BSCR has also launched a campaign with the goal of raising additional funds from its teammates to match that company's contribution, all of which funds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity International's Latin American and Caribbean office to help build transitional shelters for those displaced by the earthquake.

The Bridgestone Group would like to express their condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy, and wish the nation of Haiti a quick recovery.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Americas and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

About Bridgestone de Costa Rica, S.A.:
Bridgestone de Costa Rica, S.A. (BSCR) is a member of the Latin American Tire division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and a direct subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, Inc. BSCR was established and built its first tire in 1967 in La Ribera de Belen, in the province of Heredia. The facility employs 980 teammates and manufactures passenger and light truck radial tires, and light truck, truck and bus, and agricultural bias tires. BSCR has sales responsibilities for Central America and the Caribbean Islands and also supports the sales operations in North and South America by providing them with passenger, light truck, and truck and bus tires.