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Bridgestone Metalpha Plant Promotes BrightBright becomes first female plant manager

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 11, 2008) – Bridgestone Metalpha U.S.A., Inc. (BMU), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., today announced that Donna Bright has been promoted to Plant Manager of BMU’s Clarksville, Tenn., facility, effective Aug. 16.

With the promotion, Bright becomes the first female plant manager at any Bridgestone Americas facility.

“She’s a natural,” said Kenji Yamasaki, BMU President. “She has a proven record of experience in leadership and I’m excited about the future of BMU with her as our Plant Manager.”

Bright joined the BMU team in 1996 during the plant’s start-up and was most recently the Leadership Development Coordinator. In her 12 years with BMU, Bright has held numerous leadership positions as Production Support Coach, Planning Lead Coach, FP Lead Coach, Business Planning Manager and Production Manager.

“I’ve had a tremendous experience working with everyone at Bridgestone Metalpha U.S.A., Inc.,” Bright said. “We have a talented team of individuals and we make a quality product. I’m looking forward to the responsibilities of my new position.”

Bright graduated from Nashville State Community College with an A.S. in Industrial Engineering and a B.B.A. in Management Concentration from Austin Peay State University. Before joining the BMU team, Bright worked in retail and apparel, managing warehouse and customer service operations.

About Bridgestone Metalpha U.S.A., Inc.:
Located in Clarksville, Tenn., Bridgestone Metalpha U.S.A., Inc. (BMU) produces steel cord that is used in steel radial tires. BMU provides its products to the Bridgestone Group of companies, including Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation (BSJ), the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to the Clarksville facility, members of the Bridgestone Group own and operate several other international plants located in Japan, China, Italy and Thailand that supply steel cord worldwide.

About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAH 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 Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAH family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.