NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 25, 2006) - Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Bridgestone Americas CEO Mark Emkes made a special visit today to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire’s Warren County plant. Bredesen and Emkes recognized the plant’s two recent awards from Tennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Environment and Conservation.

"I'm pleased to be here today to recognize the team members of Bridgestone Firestone's Warren County plant for demonstrating a commitment to protecting our natural environment and the health and safety of its workers," said Governor Bredesen. "This focus on protection and stewardship is a hallmark of the company's dedication to quality, and we are certainly fortunate to have corporate citizens of this caliber in Tennessee.”

The plant was recognized by the Department of Labor for maintaining its STAR status in the Tennessee Occupational Safety & Health Administration (TOSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). STAR stands for Safety Through Accountability and Recognition. The plant also achieved the top “Performer” level in the Environment and Conservation Department’s Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3) environmental leadership program.

“I am honored to be here to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Warren County teammates,” said Mark Emkes, chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. “These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teammates who build world-class products while at the same time focusing on safety and sound environmental stewardship.”

Labor Commissioner James Neeley and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke were also on hand for the presentation of awards to the Warren County plant by both Tennessee departments.

VPP STAR site status is awarded to what TOSHA considers the “best of the best” in the area of safety and health management. Warren County is one of only two tire plants in the United States to have achieved VPP STAR status, with the other being BFNT’s Aiken County, S.C., facility. The company’s Kingstree, S.C., building products plant also recently joined this elite group.

“The evaluation criteria for the Volunteer STAR are demanding," said Commissioner James Neeley. "Achieving the required level of safety shows the employees at this Bridgestone Firestone plant are strongly committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. It's a tribute to the company that its employees work to sustain such a notable safety record."

To achieve Performer status, TP3 program participants are required to develop and complete a five-project plan to help prevent pollution of air, land and water, while reducing waste and conserving natural resources. The award, the highest honor within the program, moves BFNT’s Warren County plant into the ranks of only four other businesses in the state of Tennessee to achieve Performer status.

“This is a great achievement for both Bridgestone Firestone Warren County and its employees,” Fyke said. “As a company, BFNT is committed to looking for opportunities to eliminate and reduce waste, save natural resources and prevent pollution. Its Warren County plant must certainly be a leader in this company-wide commitment, and its team members deserve a tremendous amount of credit for their accomplishments,” Fyke concluded.

“We’re honored to receive both the VPP and TP3 awards, which are strong evidence of our ongoing commitment to constantly improving the environment and quality of life for our teammates and community,” said Ron Brooks, plant manager, Warren County plant, BFNT.

The plant is also a charter member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environment Performance Track and recipient of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s “Industrial Conservationist of the Year” award. Like the rest of the Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) facilities, Warren achieved ISO 14001, the International Organization for Standardization’s Environmental Management standard, by the year 2000.