BBTS operations moving to Nashville area

Jan. 1, 2011
Bridgestone Americas Inc (BSAM) plans to begin relocating members of its senior management team and other specific functions of its Muscatine IA-based

Bridgestone Americas Inc (BSAM) plans to begin relocating members of its senior management team and other specific functions of its Muscatine IA-based Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) operations to locations in the Nashville TN area, including BSAM's headquarters facility in Nashville.

This decision is part of an effort to restructure the way BSAM does business across its North American operations. The goals are to become a more profitable and customer-focused business; to lower costs by eliminating duplication and inefficiencies; and to harness talent and expertise in a way that best serves the business. The company is installing new management operating systems to improve efficiencies and business processes, and enhancing the ability to measure business and individual performance.

BBTS functions that will remain in Muscatine are: Equipment Manufacturing, Emergency Road Service, Human Resources, Retread Manufacturing Management, Manufacturing Finance, Information Technology Developers and Support, Retread Engineering, Retread Technical Services, and Retread Research and Development. Approximately 220 BBTS employees will remain in Muscatine.

These BBTS functions will be relocating to locations in the Nashville area, including the company's headquarters facility: Purchasing, Marketing, Finance, Accounts Payable, Credit, Business Strategy & Solutions Group, Customer Service, Legal, Safety, and members of the Company Owned Operations senior management team. Thirty-two BBTS employees will be relocating to Nashville.

Further, 55 BBTS workers who will not be relocating to Nashville have been asked to assist with the transition, which is expected to conclude by June 30, 2011. Eighteen positions within BBTS have been eliminated.