October celebrates U.S. manufacturing, a $2.9 trillion industry employing 12.9 million workers, with Middle Tennessee adding 135,000 jobs. This month, the Chamber is highlighting our members adding to the industry and prosperity of the Middle Tennessee Region.
Tell us about your business and what others should know about your company.
Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of the world’s largest tire and rubber company, Bridgestone Corporation, with deep roots in Middle Tennessee. Bridgestone is leading a global revolution in mobility and transforming the way people and goods move. Our global operations include tire manufacturing, tubes, retreads, airsprings, mobility solutions (e.g., smart sensing and connected digital technologies), and innovation centers—all driven by a commitment to quality, safety, and performance.
Tell us about the industry in which your company operates.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) conducts tire research and develops, manufactures, and markets tires for a wide variety of things that move on wheels. Offering a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires, BATO maintains wholesale and original equipment sales operations across a broad line of products, including passenger, light truck, commercial truck and bus, agricultural, motorcycle, kart and off-the-road tires. Bridgestone is helping shape the future of transportation through innovation and responsible manufacturing.
What is unique about your company that helps you differentiate yourself?
Bridgestone is not just making tires—we’re delivering solutions that move the world forward. We do this by combining world-class engineering with a values-driven culture focused on safety, service, and sustainability.
Why is the Nashville region a good place for your business?
The Nashville region offers access to top-tier talent, strong infrastructure, and a collaborative business environment. It’s also home to our Americas headquarters, making it a strategic hub for innovation, leadership, and community engagement.
How does your company ensure a safe, efficient, and positive culture for your workforce?
At Bridgestone, we believe in safety first, always. It’s a value that stands without compromise. Our goal is to provide products and services that support safe and secure movement of people and goods as mobility evolves. We foster a positive, inclusive workplace where teammates are empowered to grow, lead, and make a positive contribution to society where we live, work and play. From our manufacturing plants to our corporate offices, we invest in training, well-being, and continuous improvement.
Who are your primary customers or users?
We believe in being customer-first and customer-led – from the products we make to the solutions we provide. We serve a wide range of customers—from everyday drivers to commercial fleets and original equipment manufacturers to distributors and wholesalers. Our products and solutions are designed to deliver performance, reliability, and peace of mind.
Is your company exploring new technologies, processes, or markets? If so, why are they exploring these opportunities?
As the industry leader, we’re committed to developing forward-thinking mobility solutions that will keep people moving efficiently and sustainably for generations to come, such as smart-sensing tires and connected digital technologies. Bridgestone continues to invest in smart manufacturing, data-driven operations, and sustainable materials. These innovations help us stay ahead of industry trends and deliver long-term value to our customers and communities.
How is your company involved in or giving back to the community?
Bridgestone recognizes its ability and responsibility to drive change and improvements in the ways that industry interacts with the environment and communities around the world. That is why our founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, instilled a commitment to “serving society through superior quality,” which continues today. Our vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. Our vision is embodied within our E8 Commitment – eight values that solidify Bridgestone’s commitment to a more sustainable world. These eight values are: Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, ease, and Empowerment.
We are committed to serving the communities where our teammates live, work and play through charitable giving and volunteering with nonprofit partners like the United Way, Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Club, and the Automotive Department at Maplewood High School. Bridgestone also promotes road safety through initiatives like Teens Drive Smart, which provides hands-on driver education to teens, and road safety installations such as recycled tire bike lane delineators along Antioch Pike in Nashville.