Native Plants At Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions Earn Wildlife at Work CertificationNative landscapes cut costs and provide opportunity for community and educational programming
MUSCATINE, Iowa. (Nov. 11, 2010) — Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, took the green road in a turf war last summer, replacing 15 acres of turf grass with native landscapes at the company’s Muscatine, Iowa, facilities. Thanks to the project’s environmental benefits, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) has recognized the company with its “Wildlife at Work” certification. The Muscatine facilities now have a total of 25 acres
of native landscapes.
“The Wildlife at Work certification is truly an honor,” said Dennis Fox, Vice President of Manufacturing Design for BBTS, who served as the project team’s sponsor. “This project is really a win-win as it’s great for the environment and saves the company money. With the native landscapes, we also don’t have large amounts of potentially harmful chemicals flowing into our ponds and streams, as the native plants don’t need pesticides or fertilizers.” BBTS was recognized at the WHC’s 22nd annual symposium, held Nov. 10-11 in Baltimore, Md.
“The Wildlife Habitat Council believes that collaboration among all stakeholder groups is critical to addressing the complex issues facing the sustainability of the planet,” said Robert Johnson, WHC President. “WHC members take a leading role in connecting community stakeholders through wildlife habitat enhancement, community outreach and conservation education. Congratulations to Bridgestone Americas for its commitment to a healthy natural world and connected communities.”
BBTS replaced turf grass with native plants that do not depend on water, fertilization or mowing in May 2009. By eliminating the constant maintenance needs of turf grass, the new native landscapes will save BBTS more than $100,000 annually while creating a habitat for native plant and animal wildlife species.
“We’re very proud to have earned this Wildlife at Work certification from such a well respected environmental group like the WHC,” said Paul E. Crosser, Environmental Services Manager, BBTS. “However, certification isn’t the end of the road. It now means we must pay continuous attention to improving the habitat and educating the community. We aim to conduct wildlife inventories, remove invasive plant species, perform bluebird house monitoring and collaborate with local schools on environmental education programming.”
The BBTS Muscatine Native Landscapes Project is the 10th Bridgestone Americas habitat initiative to receive certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council. Each of these efforts is a part of “One Team, One Planet,” a global environmental initiative of Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Americas and each of its subsidiaries, including BBTS.
BBTS employs more than 5,400 teammates in the United States and Canada, including 326 in Muscatine.
About Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions:
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, manufactures, markets and sells medium and heavy duty truck tires for the original equipment and replacement markets in the United States and in Canada through Bridgestone Canada Inc. Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brand truck tires are available through more than 2,500 dealers and truck stops across the U.S. and Canada. Around the world, top truck fleets and original equipment manufacturers rely on Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires for long tread life and low cost per mile. In addition, through its Bandag brand, Bandag retreading dealers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing trucking customers with total tire solutions.
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, manufactures, markets and sells medium and heavy duty truck tires for the original equipment and replacement markets in the United States and in Canada through Bridgestone Canada Inc. Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brand truck tires are available through more than 2,500 dealers and truck stops across the U.S. and Canada. Around the world, top truck fleets and original equipment manufacturers rely on Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires for long tread life and low cost per mile. In addition, through its Bandag brand, Bandag retreading dealers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing trucking customers with total tire solutions.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.