Corporate Responsibility

Bridgestone South Africa has been involved in various social responsibility activites and are committed to making a difference in our communities.

MCG - Eco Drive Challenge

More than 120 Bridgestone teammates across South Africa have attended a driving improvement course offered by driving skills company, driving.co.za. An initial seminar on defensive and economical driving is followed by a 50-minute practical on-road training session for each trainee, showing how to put their newly learned skills into practice in preparation for a practical test that they take upon completion of the course. Participants showed positive results after only three months with an almost 13 percent saving in fuel consumption. After a two year period over 78% of the trainees reduced their fuel consumption showing an average saving of R1 900 per person per year. This equates to around 82 tons of CO2 emissions which is a years growth of around 2000 trees.

Rally to Read

Bridgestone have supported the Rally to Read literacy development programme, in partnership with McCarthy, Financial Mail and the READ Educational Trust, for a number of years. We are proud to be involved in this annual programme to improve the quality of literacy teaching in remote, rural South African schools. Our employees join corporate teams who deliver reading & writing material to a group of schools in each province, travelling by 4x4 to these rural areas.

Brake and Tyre Watch

Bridgestone are committed to the safety of all road users in SA and as a partner of the Fleetwatch magazine initiative, Brake and Tyre Watch, aim to assist in the training of Metro Traffic Officers in order to reduce the number of unsafe and unroadworthy trucks or buses in all provinces. Tyre checking, efficient braking, maintenance on trucks like lighting and reflectives are covered on the training day; the second hands on testing day is to inspect trucks / buses taken off the roads at the local Municipal Testing Stations.

National Tyre Pressure Index

Bridgestone is strongly committed to Road Safety amongst all South African road users and have emabarked on conducting tyre pressure and condition surveys at various Pick ‘n Pay Hypermarkets around the country. The first aim is to gather data regarding the tyre condition of up a representative number of vehicles in order to set a general benchmark - a National Tyre Pressure Index. Secondly, to educate the motorist on the importance of tyre care and safety, results thus far showing a slight improvement in the standards of tyre maintenace in SA, over the past 3 years.

SAPESI Mobile Library Project

The SAPESI Mobile Library Project has received the support of Bridgestone SA with regards the replacement of tyres for their mobile library vehicles travelling to schools in rural areas of each province. As many pupils do not have access to books in class or at home, these mobile libraries enable teachers and students to select reading and text books for their required grades on a weekly basis. Being able to read is the most important gift a child can receive and Bridgestone are pleased to make this committment.