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Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC Facility Operates 1 Million Hours Without Lost-Time AccidentWilliamsburg, Ky., plant celebrates safety milestone

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (May 12, 2010) - In what is a major safety achievement, the Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC (FSIP) facility in Williamsburg, Ky., today celebrated 1 million hours without a lost-time accident.

“Safety is the number one priority at all FSIP facilities,” said Lynn Taylor, Williamsburg Plant Manager, FSIP. “This is a huge milestone for our Williamsburg plant — an accomplishment for which the entire team should be recognized and of which they should all be proud.”

The plant hosted a celebration with company and community leaders to recognize the milestone. J.R. Gray, Kentucky Secretary of Labor, made remarks and presented the facility with a commemorative plaque. Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison, Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White and Charles L. Siler, a member of the Kentucky General Assembly, were also in attendance.

Taylor also took the opportunity to set the right tone looking ahead. He said the facility is not satisfied with its 1 million hours achievement, and has committed to a new motto — ‘We Can Do Two!’ — with the aim of achieving another million hours without a lost-time accident.

“When it comes to safety, you can’t ever be satisfied or complacent,” said Taylor. “The ‘We Can Do Two!’ motto will remind us all that our commitment to safety continues even after this great accomplishment.”

If the Williamsburg facility reaches the 2 million safe hours mark, it would match the milestone achieved by the only other FSIP plant in North America. The FSIP plant in Dyersburg, Tenn., celebrated 2 million hours without a lost-time accident in July 2009.

“To accumulate more than 3 million safe hours as a company — that is quite an achievement,” said Mike Cerio, President, FSIP. “Every day, FSIP co-workers ensure the highest level of safety for one another in the workplace. We will continue to strive for the highest levels of safety for our plants.”

The Williamsburg facility employs 372 people and produces air springs for transportation and industry needs.

About Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC:
Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC (FSIP) specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 70 years of research and development of technologically advanced air springs. Its famous Airide™brand has set the standard for air spring manufacturing and technology since 1939. FSIP has a European office and technical center in Arnhem, Netherlands; two North American plants; international manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Poland, India and Costa Rica; and an assembly facility in China. FSIP is a subsidiary of Firestone Diversified Products, LLC (FSDP).

About Firestone Diversified Products, LLC:
Firestone Diversified Products, LLC (FSDP) is based in Indianapolis, Ind., and is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM). FSDP is responsible for BSAM’s non-tire businesses, including building and industrial products, natural rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.