Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, the regional strategic business unit of tyre giant Bridgestone Corporation, said it maintained a steady growth in 2009 despite tougher market conditions by continuously expanding its reach in the region.

In 2008, Bridgestone MEA expanded into the Middle East and African markets focusing on Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria and Iran, which led to more than triple growth in its overall sales rising from Dh656 million in 2007 to Dh 2.4 billion in 2008.

Shoichi Sakuma, president of Bridgestone MEA said: 'In 2009 we have focused our energies on building on our strengths, providing the best quality products and services to our diverse customer base in the Middle East and Africa.'

'This has enabled us to maintain growth despite slump in the regional markets. Moving forward, Bridgestone will work to further increase the market share all while striving to improve our current offerings and customer services,' he observed.

Last year saw Bridgestone launch its B250 tyre range. Because of its quality, cutting-edge engineering and specifications, B250 has become the brand’s most technically advanced basic performance tyre, Sakuma pointed out.

'Also in 2009, the Formula One (F1) Motor Sports Race fans witnessed the first ever F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. During this occasion Bridgestone Corporation supplied tyres to all the F1 teams. These tyres had circular green markings on their sidewalls,' he added.

These markings, Sakuma said, signify Bridgestone’s strong commitment to 'Make Cars Green' drive, an environmental campaign aimed at reducing the negative impact of motoring on our planet.

Bridgestone MEA has over 23,000 sq meter state-of-the-art facility in the Free Zone which stores Bridgestone & Firestone brand tires for all kinds of vehicles.

The facility also includes a regional training center which has lecture halls and houses fully-equipped 5-garage service bays for cars and two bays for trucks.

All year round, training courses are being conducted by Bridgestone engineers to trainees from all over Middle East & Africa, Sakuma said.-TradeArabia News Service