Brussels, August 23rd 2010 - Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre and rubber manufacturer, was awarded the prestigious title of Volvo Premium Supplier in June 2010. The award recognises Bridgestone’s leading performance across a broad range of strict criteria. Bridgestone is the first tyre manufacturer to receive the Volvo Premium Supplier Award.

Now in its 5th year, the annual Volvo Premium Supplier Awards recognise those suppliers who book the best measured performance in the areas of quality, safety, environmental performance, cost, logistics and corporate responsibility. Close attention is also paid to the supplier’s capacity to work with Volvo’s teams in the spirit of continuous improvement. A total of nine awards were presented for 2009 including Bridgestone’s.

Takashi Tomioka, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone Europe: “This is a great honour for Bridgestone, especially as we are the first tyre supplier ever to be recognised by the Volvo Premium Supplier Award Programme. Bridgestone looks forward to maintaining its high level of quality service and its status as one of the Volvo Group’s long-term strategic partners.”

As a Volvo Group Premium Supplier, Bridgestone will continue to set the standard for original equipment supplier performance in the years to come.