When Roy J. Carver began his retreading business in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1957, he revolutionized the tire industry. His company, Bandag, Incorporated, provided commercial truck drivers with a new option: rather than throwing away a tire after the original tread wore down, the company could reuse the tire casing by retreading the tire, giving truck drivers thousands of more miles. In 2007, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) acquired Bandag, Incorporated, forming Bridgestone Bandag, LLC. By April 2008, the sales and marketing teams of Bridgestone Bandag, LLC and the truck and bus division of BSAM’s subsidiary tire company joined forces to deliver their fleet and dealer customers total tire solutions as a single integrated package. The new group is known as Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS). With this new organization, BBTS has the largest truck tire distribution footprint in the nation.
Today, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) is a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), allowing the two groups to better service their customers by offering a comprehensive tire maintenance solution backed by a complete line of new and retread truck tire offerings.
BBTS manufactures, markets and sells medium and heavy-duty truck tires for the original equipment and replacement markets in North America. Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brand truck tires are available through more than 2,500 dealers and truckstops — more places than any other brands. In addition, Bandag manufactures retreading materials and equipment for its dealer network, which produces and markets retreaded tires and provides tire management services at more than 1,600 locations in North America. Most of the nation’s largest fleets rely on Bridgestone or Firestone commercial tires and Bandag retreads for superior fuel economy, long tread life and low cost per mile.
BBTS offers more than 275 sizes and designs of premium retreads, more than any other supplier. Now, in addition to retread products, BBTS provides a wide variety of services that reduce en route breakdowns and maintenance costs. Services include trailer and tire inspections; wheel and rim refinishing; and emergency tire assistance.
BBTS’ mission is to be the market leader in every market served, by offering customers clearly outstanding and cost-effective solutions to commercial tire management problems. Committed to improving the communities it serves, BBTS encourages its employees to volunteer time and talent, and gives cash and in-kind donations to local not-for-profit agencies and organizations.
BBTS is headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, and employs more than 6,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information, please visit www.BridgestoneAmericas.com.