Bandag Goes For GoldCompany celebrates 50 revolutionary years in business
MUSCATINE, Iowa (Dec. 20, 2007) –Over the past 50 years, Olympic runners shaved more than five minutes off the record marathon time and the Bandag organization revolutionized the tire industry with its innovative tire retreading business. The marathoners have celebrated gold medals; Bandag is now celebrating its golden anniversary.
Bandag (Bridgestone Bandag, LLC) teammates are commemorating this milestone at local celebrations honoring the 50-year vision of Roy J. Carver, Bandag’s founder. Carver envisioned an enterprise that would not only improve the trucking industry but would provide good jobs and help the communities that Bandag calls home prosper and grow.
“We believe this historic day marks the beginning of another chapter in Bandag’s commitment to the vision of Bandag’s founder, Roy J. Carver, to revolutionize the truck tire business,” said Saul Solomon, Bandag Chairman, CEO and President. “Our team sees a future filled with great promise for our company, our customers and our communities.”
As part of the festivities, Bandag donated $21,000 to charities in its communities:
- $15,000 to the Muscatine Salvation Army in Muscatine, Iowa
- $1,500 to the Long Beach Rescue Mission in Long Beach, Calif.
- $1,000 to Paramount Library in Long Beach, Calif.
- $1,000 to the United Way of Abilene in Abilene, Texas
- $1,000 to the Griffin-Spalding County United Way in Griffin, Ga.
- $1,000 to the ACIM Food Bank in Oxford, N.C.
- $500 to the Salvation Army in Muncie, Ind.
“Without the support of companies like Bandag, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we need to do here in Muscatine,” said Captain Quentin Boyle, who accepted the donation at the Muscatine event on behalf of the local Salvation Army. “Earlier this year, Bandag customized a bus for our day camp program, and they support us at Christmas through their work with the Angel Tree Program and as bell ringers. We truly value their efforts and thank them for this generous donation.”
Representatives of the local United Way organizations in Abilene and Griffin echoed Boyle’s sentiments about Bandag’s impact on their communities.
“Bandag sets a wonderful example of leadership in our community,” said Denise Quick, Executive Director of the Griffin-Spalding County United Way. “In addition to their monetary contributions, Bandag employees also give their time and talents to help those in need by volunteering for many of the local United Way agencies.”
Margaret Mary Martinez, Resource Development Director, United Way of Abilene, said, “On behalf of all the people whose lives will be changed because of the programs made possible by the generosity of the Bandag team, thank you.”
In addition to the events, mayors in several of Bandag’s communities issued proclamations marking Dec. 20 as “Bandag Day.” Bandag was founded on Dec. 20, 1957.
About Bridgestone Bandag, LLC:
Bandag is the operating name of Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. Bandag manufactures retreading materials and equipment for its worldwide network of more than 800 franchised dealers that produce and market retread tires and provide tire management services. Bandag’s traditional business serves end-users through a wide variety of products offered by dealers, ranging from tire retreading and repairing to tire management systems outsourcing for commercial truck fleets. Tire Distribution Systems, Inc. (TDS), a wholly owned subsidiary, sells and services new and retread tires. In addition, Bandag has an 87.5 percent interest in Speedco, Inc., a provider of on-highway truck lubrication and routine tire services to commercial truck owner-operators and fleets.
Bandag is the operating name of Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. Bandag manufactures retreading materials and equipment for its worldwide network of more than 800 franchised dealers that produce and market retread tires and provide tire management services. Bandag’s traditional business serves end-users through a wide variety of products offered by dealers, ranging from tire retreading and repairing to tire management systems outsourcing for commercial truck fleets. Tire Distribution Systems, Inc. (TDS), a wholly owned subsidiary, sells and services new and retread tires. In addition, Bandag has an 87.5 percent interest in Speedco, Inc., a provider of on-highway truck lubrication and routine tire services to commercial truck owner-operators and fleets.