Bridgestone Tire Shop Michigan

The Tire Shoppe Waterford, MI – Bridgestone History

Bridgestone has been a leading name in the tire industry since the 1930s. Known officially as the Bridgestone Corporation, the company was founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. Over the years, Bridgestone has grown into the world’s largest tire manufacturer, surpassing competitors like Michelin, Goodyear, and Firestone as of 2015.

On April 9, 1930, Bridgestone produced its first tire under the Japanese Tabi Socks Tyre Division. Nearly a year later, on March 1, 1931, Shojiro Ishibashi declared the division independent, officially establishing Bridgestone Tire Corporation in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. The company's headquarters are now in Tokyo, with its name derived from Ishibashi—where "Ishi" means stone and "Bashi" means bridge in English.

Bridgestone’s dominance in the industry was further solidified when it acquired Firestone, creating one of the largest tire and rubber companies in history. In response to its expanding presence in the United States, Bridgestone established its Americas headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1922, leveraging existing U.S. operations to ensure a smooth transition.

Known for technological innovation, Bridgestone was the first tire and rubber company in Japan to manufacture and market rayon cord tires. By 1953, the company had generated over ten billion yen in revenue, equivalent to just under nine million U.S. dollars. Bridgestone specializes in manufacturing high-quality tires with advanced cross-section designs, including components such as the bead, filler, liner, nylon belt, tread, steel belt, plies, sidewall, and chafer.

At The Tire Shoppe in Waterford, MI, we proudly carry a variety of Bridgestone tires for all makes and models. Visit us today for great deals and expert service!