A Global Dream
Bridgestone Group founder Shojiro Ishibashi
The Firestone Tyre & Rubber Company – founder and friends
The Firestone Boys and the gum-dipped balloon tyres
Across continents, the Bridgestone team is focused on becoming a truly global enterprise, and to establish Bridgestone as the undisputed no. 1 brand in both name as well as substance. This dream has its roots set way back in 1931 with the establishment of the Bridgestone Tyre Co., Ltd.
Shojiro Ishibashi, anticipated the future potential of passenger car tyres and the international development of the business. In the naming of his new company, he used the English translation of his own surname - ‘Ishi’ meaning ‘stone’, and ‘bashi’ meaning ‘bridge’. Even then he may indeed have been dreaming of the future of the Bridgestone Group.
The Growth of Bridgestone
The automobile industry in Japan grew, and with that, the Bridgestone Group expanded its business so to become the largest tyre manufacture in the country and abroad, particularly in the Asian continent.
The Firestone Tyre & Rubber Company was a well respected global corporation with an admirable history. In 1988, Bridgestone Group acquired the company, transforming itself into one of the largest tyre and rubber companies in the world. Bridgestone created a global team dedicated to quality, service, and technology of the highest level.