At the Bridgestone Group, the Total Environmental Advanced Management System (TEAMS) serves as the foundation for the Group's environmental activities. In acquiring and maintaining ISO 14001 certifications at the manufacturing sites, the Group has implemented Environmental Management System (EMS) framework across the Group. TEAMS was developed by adding the following two concepts to EMS:
Total: the participation of all business units, facility functions and employees throughout the Group
Advanced: the commitment to active disclosure and advanced, world-class activities
Under the TEAMS concept, each strategic business unit (SBU) and facility in the Group prepares and adopts an EMS using methodologies employed by ISO 14001. Environmental activities are then improved through the use of the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle at three levels: individual facilities, SBUs, and globally.
To support TEAMS activities, the Group is also working to provide and consolidate shared global information systems, for use in improvements through the Group’s PDCA cycle by analyzing each SBUs’ environmental activities and data. It is reinforcing various infrastructure and human resource development to ensure environmental management at SBUs and business locations.
For example, all non-production sites including distribution centers and retail shops conduct environmental self-assessments, grading each location’s environmental management with one of three levels (I, II, or III), which are used for further improvement using the PDCA cycle.
Also, the Group holds conferences for environmental managers to enhance environmental education and cooperation across the entire Group. The trainings include on-site lectures and group discussions, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of environmental managers and strengthening regional cooperation.