Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. reorganizes, becomes Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding Inc.

Dec. 3, 2001

Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) Inc. has reorganized into several new companies that will operate under the newly created Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding (BFAH) Inc.

BFAH subsidiaries include:

* Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) LLC, the Nashville, Tenn.-based successor to BFS. BFNT will conduct North American tire manufacturing, plus wholesale and original equipment sales and operations, including consumer, commercial truck and bus, agricultural and off-the-road businesses. Related research and product development also will be conducted by BFNT. John Lampe -- who serves as CEO, chairman and president of BFAH -- is BFNT's CEO and chairman;

Isao Togashi will serve as BFNT's vice chairman and president.

* BFS Retail & Commercial Operations (BFRC) LLC, which will consist of Bridgestone/Firestone company-owned consumer and commercial stores throughout the United States and Canada. These inclde Firestone Tire & Service Centers, Tires Plus, GCR and other outlets. Larry Magee is the CEO, chairman and president of BFRC, which will be headquartered in Bloomingdale, Ill.

* BFS Diversified Products (BFDP) LLC, which will include Bridgestone/Firestone's non-tire operations in the Americas like synthetic and natural rubber, industrial products and other items. Robert McNally has been named CEO, chairman and president of the Carmel, Ind.-based unit.

* Bridgestone Metalpha USA (BMU) Inc., based in Clarksville, Tenn., makes steel cord used in Bridgestone/Firestone tires. Quarterbacked by President Tora Toraiwa, it was originally a BFS sister company.

The Latin American subsidiaries of BFS will be owned directly by BFAH; they will report to the company through a BFAH division called Bridgestone/Firestone Latin America (BFLA) that will be headed by BFAH Executive Vice President Mark Emkes.

BFS' reorganization "is an important step in (our) rebuilding process and will help ensure that the Bridgestone/Firestone family of companies is financially strong and viable for the long-term," says Lampe.

Last week, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. reported it had restructured its North America Tire division.