Bridgestone 2008 Annual Report Download - page 25

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DEVELOPMENT OF “SOLUTIONS BUSINESS” DRAWING ON
RETREAD CAPABILITIES
To develop our “solutions business,” we will utilize our 2007 acquisition of Bandag,
Incorporated, and expand our tire retread operations on a global basis. Retreading
involves removing used tire treads and applying freshly vulcanized new treads so that the
body of the tire can be reused safely. Following the acquisition of Bandag, the Group can
now provide a comprehensive range of technically advanced, high-quality products and
services, extending from original equipment tires to retread tires. At the same time, we
can now undertake the global development of a high-quality “solutions business” that
helps eet customers control their total tire-related costs.
This business is taking on a growing role in truck and bus tire sales in Europe and North
America. Meanwhile, the same trend can be seen in growth markets, such as Asia. Moving
forward, the Group will implement a global retread business expansion strategy tailored to
the maturity of specic markets. In North America, the retread business is already well
established. Targeting further development in a “package-type” business incorporating new
tires and retreads, we established Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solution (BBTS). Through
BBTS, which is an integration of our existing new-tire sales operations and Bandag’s retread
operations, we will work to further raise the level of service to customers.
In Japan, aiming to further bolster our “solutions business”—which includes new tires,
retreads, and maintenance services—we established Bridgestone Bandag Mobility
Solutions Co., Ltd. in early 2009. This followed the opening of the rst Bandag Retread
Factory in 2008. This initiative, which features compact production lines suitable for high-
variety, small-lot operations utilizing the Bandag retread system, provides bases for
integrated production, sales, and service operations for retread tires at locations close to
customers. Bandag Retread Factory operations are handled in accordance with standards
WhatIsBridgestoneBandag,LLC?
Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, which is the
successor company to Bandag,
Incorporated and is now part of the
Bridgestone Group, is one of the world’s
leading companies in the retread tire sector.
Based in the state of Iowa in the United
States, it has built a strong presence and
has solid name recognition in the global
market. Bridgestone Bandag and its
subsidiaries and afliated companies use
Bridgestone Bandag’s advanced technical
skills and know-how to manufacture
retreading materials and equipment at 10
production bases in the United States,
Belgium, Brazil, and Mexico. These are
supplied to a global network of more than
900 dealers across 90 countries that
produce and market retread tires and supply
tire management services.
EVA lm Tire retreading process
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