BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LATIN AMERICA
GLOBAL INFLUENCE ON TIRE AND RELATED INDUSTRIES
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. maintains an established and strong presence in Latin America through its subsidiaries that make up the Latin American Tire division (BATO LA), which is part of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. BATO LA operates six tire production plants — two in Brazil, and one each in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela — along with proving grounds in Acuña, Mexico, and São Pedro, Brazil. Through its related companies, Bandag do Brasil Ltda. and Bandag de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., BATO LA manufactures and markets pre-cure retread for truck and bus tires.
Today, BATO LA has the largest number of points of sale of any tire manufacturer in the region with more than 2,100 locations. Together with BATO LA, this network of dealers is committed to expanding the company’s presence throughout Latin America. There are more than 8,300 employees in Latin America, where the Bridgestone and Firestone brands enjoy strong brand recognition and loyalty.
BATO LA’s tire plants manufacture products to serve and meet the demands of its markets by continually looking for new designs and an improved product offering. All of the BATO LA facilities are certified to internationally recognized quality and environmental system requirements, and work every day to continuously enhance their operations, thereby continually improving the products they manufacture.
BRIDGESTONE ARGENTINA, S.A.I.C. (BSAR)
With 100 years in business, BSAR manufactures and markets passenger, light truck, truck and bus, agricultural and small off-road tires for the Argentine market at its facility just outside of Buenos Aires. BSAR, which built its first tire in 1931, is also responsible for sales to Uruguay and sells its products through an extensive network of independent dealers. In addition, BSAR sells its products to original equipment manufacturers including General Motors, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford and DaimlerChrysler.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Argentina, please visit http://www.bridgestone.com.ar.
BRIDGESTONE DO BRASIL INDUSTRIA E COMERCIO LTDA. (BSBR)
With more than 80 years in business, BSBR is a major participant in the South American tire market. BSBR manufactures and markets passenger, light truck, truck and bus, agricultural and off road tires. Its São Paulo plant excels in original equipment and aftermarket sales for car, truck, light truck, bus and farm machinery manufacturers. The newest BSBR plant, which opened in 2007 in Bahia state, produces tires for the car and light truck markets. Brazil is also home to one of three Bridgestone Americas proving grounds, the South American Technical Center located in São Pedro. Through its subsidiary, Bandag do Brasil Ltda., the company manufactures and markets pre-cure retread for truck and bus tires primarily for the Brazilian market.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Brasil, please visit http://www.bridgestone.com.br.
BRIDGESTONE CHILE, S.A. (BSCL)
BSCL is responsible for sales of passenger, light truck, truck and bus, agricultural and small off road tires to Chile, Bolivia and Peru through an office and warehouse in Santiago. BSCL also has established dealers and dealer networks throughout these three countries.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Chile, please visit http://www.bridgestone.cl.
Bridgestone de Colombia, S.A.S (BSCO)
BSCO is responsible for sales of passenger, light truck, truck and bus, agricultural, and small off-road tires in Colombia and Ecuador with established dealers and dealer networks throughout these markets.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Colombia, please visit www.bridgestone.com.co.
BRIDGESTONE DE COSTA RICA, S.A. (BSCR)
BSCR was established and built its first tire in 1967 in La Ribera de Belen, in the province of Heredia. The facility manufactures passenger, light truck, truck and bus, and agricultural tires. BSCR also markets small off road tires throughout Costa Rica and has sales responsibilities for Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Costa Rica, please visit www.bfcr.co.cr/.
BRIDGESTONE DE MÉXICO, S.A. DE C.V. (BSMX)
BSMX manufactures and markets passenger and light truck tires, and also markets truck and bus, agricultural and small off road tires throughout Mexico. BSMX’s manufacturing facility in Cuernavaca, Morelos produced its first tire in 1980. The plant has achieved the highest standards in quality assurance and safety, and manufactures products primarily for the Mexican market. BSMX markets its products through a network of dealers and retailers and provides products to original equipment manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda. One of Bridgestone Americas’ three proving grounds is located in Acuña, Mexico. Through its related company Bandag de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., BSMX manufactures and markets pre-cure retread for truck and bus tires primarily for the Mexican market, and also produces Continuum-brand tread rubber for off road applications.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Mexico, please visit www.bridgestone.com.mx.
Bridgestone Firestone Venezolana, C. A. (BFVZ)
BFVZ is located at Valencia, Venezuela and celebrated its 60th anniversary of manufacturing its first tire in 2014. At present, the company is dedicated to the development, manufacturing and commercialization of radial passenger, radial truck, and conventional truck and agricultural tires to satisfy the domestic market for replacement and original equipment.
For more information on Bridgestone’s operations in Venezuela, please visit www.bridgestone.com.ve.