Net sales for Bridgestone Corp. in fiscal 2018 were 3,650.1 billion yen, the same as the previous year; operating income was 402.7 billion yen, a decrease of 4%. Income was 381.1 billion yen, a decrease of 5%; and profits were 291.6 billion yen, an increase of 1%.
In the tire segment, the company “worked to maximize sales momentum by introducing desirable products and services globally, reinforcing competitive advantages and differentiation, and responding swiftly to demand fluctuation in each region.”
In Japan, unit sales of tires for passenger cars and light trucks increased firmly compared to fiscal 2017, and unit sales of tires for trucks and buses remained unchanged from fiscal 2017.
In the Americas, unit sales of tires for passenger cars and light trucks in North America remained unchanged from fiscal 2017, and unit sales of tires for trucks and buses increased strongly, compared to fiscal 2017.
In Europe, unit sales of tires for passenger cars and light trucks increased firmly compared to fiscal 2017, and unit sales of tires for trucks and buses increased strongly compared to fiscal 2017. In China and Asia Pacific, unit sales of tires for passenger cars and light trucks and unit sales of tires for trucks and buses decreased compared to fiscal 2017.
In the specialty tire business, sales of large and ultra-large off-the-road radial tires for construction and mining vehicles increased substantially compared to fiscal 2017.As a result, net sales in the tires segment during fiscal 2018 were 3,051.4 billion yen, an increase of 1% from fiscal 2017; operating income was 393.9 billion yen, an increase of 2%.
During the fiscal year of 2018, Bridgestone’s operating environment showed signs of gradual recovery in the domestic economy. “However, due to the rising uncertainty of overseas politics and economies, the future outlook is difficult to predict.
“The U.S. economy continued on a solid recovery path, and the European economy continued to show gradual recovery. In Asia, the Chinese economic recovery has been at a standstill. In addition, tire demand in the mining industry increased along with rising commodity prices.
Under these operating conditions, the company continued to focus on priority issues, including “cultivating global corporate culture.”
Bridgestone Corp. has focused on “promoting brand strategies through sponsorship and supporting activities for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. The company has also expanded sales of highly competitive products and services in global markets, while building and enhancing a solutions business that extends beyond the scope of existing business to provide customer and social value, to accelerate technology and business model innovation.”
Read the report here.
