TOKYO (Oct. 25, 2010)—Bridgestone Corp. expects to achieve an 8-percent operating margin by 2015 on 20-percent greater sales of $37 billion, according to the firm's latest mid-term management plan.
The company said its growth strategy focuses on expanding strategic tire products and operations, including run-flat, high-performance and winter car tires, truck tire retreading and specialty tires; reinforcing fundamental competencies, such as leveraging vertical integration, enhancing fundamental research and bolstering supply-chain competitiveness; securing positions in the emerging economies; concentrating on key non-tire product areas; and enhancing the firm's environmental contributions.
Bridgestone also said it has initiated global asset streamlining that includes reducing accounts receivable, inventories and capital investments and reorganizing its steel cord business, reorganizing its domestic tire, chemical and industrial products businesses.