At present, Bridgestone has developed into an international multinational company, with 47 tire factories, 65 chemicals and other products factories in 24 countries and regions, and three technology development centers in Tokyo (Japan), Akron (USA) and Rome (Italy). In 2002, the group's total sales reached US$ 65.438+07.566 billion, making it the largest rubber manufacturing company in the world, with a tire market share of 65.438+096.5438+0%. 80% of the company's products are tires, as well as diversified products such as industrial rubber, chemical products and sports products. By the end of 200 1 year, the number of employees in the group exceeded 654.38+10,000.
Bridgestone tire finally won the supply battle between Formula 1 racing car and old rival Michelin. Since 2007, F 1 has been provided with exclusive racing tires (generally, there are four kinds of hard tires, neutral tires, soft tires and ultra-soft tires). If it rains, there are rain tires, which are divided into heavy rain tires and light rain tires. And therefore made a big profit last year, although Bridgestone will not take the income from race-specific tires as their main source.
Not only that, Bridgestone Tire Company also has an unusual relationship with some giant car factories, such as Italian giant Ferrari, which won the F 1 World Championship for many years, and has a strategic cooperative relationship with Bridgestone for many years. Bridgestone also specially designed special tires for Ferrari supercars, and even quickly designed new tires according to the requirements of the factory to meet the changing requirements of the other side.
Bridgestone-the best in the world
Bridgestone Tire 1988, Bridgestone acquired Firestone, the second largest tire manufacturer in the United States. 1997, Bridgestone began to provide tires for F 1 (Formula One) racing teams. 20011,Bridgestone developed the world's largest tire with a diameter of 4.04 meters. From June 2002+October 2002 10, the zero-pressure tire (RFT) developed by Bridgestone began to be equipped on the BMW Z4 sedan. Bridgestone also developed special tires for Enzo, Ferrari's latest sports car, which made the controllable speed of this top-class sports car reach more than 350 kilometers per hour. In June 2003, Bridgestone won the Airbus supply contract for the first time, and will start supplying tires for the front landing gear and main landing gear of A380 super-large passenger aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2005.