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Turrialba, Costa Rica, May 9, 2019. Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC (FSIP), leader in the development of technology that eliminates vibrations in the global transport, started operations in Costa Rica in 2009. To celebrate the achievements of these 10 years, FSIP held a ceremony and tour of its production plant in Turrialba. The activity was attended by Dyalá Jiménez, Minister of Foreign Trade; Lizbeth Barboza, Vice-Mayor of Turrialba; Emily Poladian, President of Firestone Industrial Products; and José Joaquín Hernández, General Manager of the Turrialba FSIP Plant, among other guests.

FSIP is dedicated to the production and manufacture of air dampers and parts used in tire assembly machines. During its 10 years presence in the country, the company has manufactured more than five million units and has invested more than US$20 million.

The global company decided to establish the plant in Turrialba because of its proximity to ports and educational institutions of higher education such as the University of Costa Rica, State Distance University, National Learning Institute and the Costa Rica Institute of Technology, same that provide access to personnel with a high level of training.

“Strong businesses and great communities go hand-in-hand, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with our employees, friends, neighbors, customers, and elected officials,” said Jose Joaquin Hernandez Rojas, general manager of the Turrialba FSIP Plant. “Together, we have created a production facility that is making a positive impact on Turrialba, the region, and country and delivering high-quality products.”

The majority of the company’s products manufactured in Turrialba are exported, and the remaining portion used at the local tire production plant.

“For 10 years, Firestone has become a very important ally for Costa Rica, not only because of the impact its operations have had, but also because of its contribution to development outside of GMA (Great Metropolitan Area). It fills us with deep gratitude to see how this leading company not only continues to trust the country as the headquarters of its operations, but also bets on Costa Rican human talent, which extends throughout the country. With this operation, the plant in Turrialba, not only provides quality employment to around 175 people, but also encourages fosters the inclusion and integration of regions, territories and localities into the ecosystems of high productive potential. Congratulations to Firestone for its tenth anniversary and we hope to continue walking together for many more years”, said Dyalá Jiménez, Minister of Foreign Trade.

The operational excellence of the Firestone plant has allowed it to be awarded the ISO 9001 Quality Management certification; ISO 50001 concerning the efficient management of energy; and ISO 14001 that seeks companies to have an environmental management plan. In addition, at the corporate level, FSIP is certified on the International Automotive Task Force standards (IATF-16949) a group made up of automobile manufacturers and their commercial associations with the aim of providing better quality products to customers around the world.

The company is also guided by Bridgestone's global social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, which focuses its sustainability strategy on the Priority Areas of Environment, People and Mobility.

CINDE’s Managing Director, Jorge Sequeira, said: “We celebrate the 10 years of Firestone in the country and its valuable contribution to the human talent of Turrialba. This is one of the 20 cantons with which CINDE works outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GMA) in order to develop the right conditions for attracting investment that, in turn, generates quality jobs. Last year, 3 of the 20 new companies attracted to the country established their operations in communities outside the GMA, equivalent to 15% of the total number of new companies that arrived in Costa Rica. Firestone is a clear example of how companies can be successful over time outside the Great Metropolitan Area and, from CINDE, we hope to continue being part of their strategic allies for their future plans.”

The celebration of this decade is a landmark of Bridgestone Americas, which owns and operates three sites in Costa Rica: Firestone Industrial Products in Turrialba; Bridgestone Shared Services Center in Heredia; and tire manufacturing plant, Bridgestone de Costa Rica, in Heredia.

FSIP is part of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company, and benefits from its automotive expertise, research and development efforts. The company offers a full range of air springs for the global commercial vehicle market with its two product brands, Firestone Airide™ and Airogear™, and is a preferred partner of top global vehicle manufacturers. For more information, visit FSIP.

About Firestone Industrial Products:

Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 80 years of research and development on technologically advanced air springs for the global marketplace. Firestone Industrial Products manufactures air springs and related products for commercial trucks and trailers, cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, mini vans, motor homes, buses, agricultural equipment, rail and industrial applications. The company has quality-certified manufacturing/assembly plants and technical centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

About Firestone Industrial Products Costa Rica, S.A.:

Firestone Industrial Products is located in Turrialba. It started operations on April 28, 2009 with the production of tire compensators (Air Springs) and rubber parts for vibration reduction (Marshmellows). In 2014, it began the operation of its third production line dedicated to the manufacture of parts used in tire assembly machines. Currently, it makes direct exports to the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Poland and China.