AKRON, Ohio. (April 11, 2012) – Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) today celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art Americas Technical Center in Akron, Ohio. The $100 million facility houses 450 teammates who develop innovative and advanced tire technologies for the company. 

“This has been a center of innovation for more than a century. We’ve helped put the world on wheels. Literally, millions of miles have been driven on Bridgestone and Firestone tires designed right here in Akron,” said Gary Garfield, CEO and President, BSAM. “But while we are proud of our past and the history and heritage of our great company, today is about looking to the future - to writing the next chapter in the story of our organization. And it all starts right here at this new technical center.”

The new center has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold specifications, which means it was designed and constructed to have the highest performance in human and environmental health. A variety of products from BSAM’s building products division – Firestone Building Products – were used in helping the facility meet these rigid requirements.

"The dedication of the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center reaffirms Akron's role as a center for innovation in the polymer industry. We are proud to have been home to the Firestone brand for 112 years with its legacy in auto racing, quality engineered tires and rubber products,” said Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic said. “I am grateful to Bridgestone for its display of confidence in Akron. We have been pleased to partner with the company in the development of this project as well as the continued growth and development of the Firestone Park neighborhood around the new Bridgestone Americas Technical Center."

Harvey S. Firestone founded The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio in 1900 and completed the company’s iconic headquarters and technical center on Firestone Parkway in 1911. Bridgestone Corporation purchased the company in 1988, transforming the companies’ combined operations into the world’s largest tire and rubber company, and making Akron one of only three technical centers for the company worldwide (the two other technical centers are in Tokyo, Japan and Rome, Italy). In 2010, the company announced it would be building a new home for the Americas Technical Center in Akron.

For high-res images and b-roll footage from the event, as well as other recent press announcements, images and corporate logos, from Bridgestone Americas, Inc., visit www.BridgestoneAmericasMedia.com. For product information on the full lines of Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires, visit www.BridgestoneTire.com.