Final Steel Beam Put in Place on Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations World-Class Technical Center$100 million state-of-the-art facility scheduled for 2012 grand opening
AKRON, Ohio (Nov. 19, 2010) — After nine months of construction, the final steel beam was hoisted into place on the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO) state-of-the-art Technical Center in Akron, Ohio in a small topping off ceremony yesterday.
During the first week of November, the final beam was on display in the current technical center’s lobby and teammates had the chance to sign it.
“This progressive building is made of stone and steel, but it’s the people inside that make Bridgestone Americas a world-class company,” said Bob Handlos, Vice President of Research for BATO. “The signatures of our teammates on this final beam will be a lasting legacy to their hard work and dedication that has helped our company grow to be the largest and one of the most respected tire and rubber companies in the world.”
The beam was put into place while teammates watched via web conference all across Bridgestone Americas’ Akron campus. The beam is situated at the highest point of the $100 million dollar facility that is being built to Gold LEED specification.
“If we are to design and build world-class products we need a world-class technical center. That’s what we will have here in Akron,” said Steve Shelton, Vice President of Product Development, BATO. “There’s a strong tradition of innovation here in Akron, so it’s fitting that this new technology center is being built right here. This is where our company was founded more than a century ago. And this is exactly where our North American technology center belongs.”
“The weather in Northeast Ohio is not known for being cooperative; who knew Mother Nature was such a fan of Bridgestone?” joked Handlos. “It’s exciting to top off the building – it brings us one step closer to calling it home.”
The new technical center is on schedule to open its doors in early 2012. The building is being constructed by The Ruhlin Company and was designed by Harris / Day Architecture. To view a time lapse video of the building’s construction from groundbreaking to topping off, visit http://oxblue.com/pro/open/bridgestone/technicalcenter.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM 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 Americas and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
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.