Bridgestone/Firestone to make quality, tire development changes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 20)—Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. will make changes to its quality assurance, tire development and production activities following a review of its operations by technical, engineering and safety professionals. The Comprehensive Quality Review Team consisted of three committees and made several recommendations. The company will make changes to the materials and construction used in its tires. The measures will impact tire construction and design, giving priority to sport-utility vehicle and light truck tires. The tire maker also will improve product evaluation methods, create a standard system for product testing, and standardize methods and systems to establish a global standard for tire development throughout Bridgestone´s operations. Additional changes include an enhanced safety "early warning" system and a program to track original equipment fitments for exported vehicles, including a global network to exchange quality information regarding the fitments. It also will make minor changes at its North American plants—mainly visual appearance and the need for global standardization of business systems.