Social | Community
Activities related to health

The World Health Organization (WHO), based on an analysis of causes of death by income level, notes it is important to address health improvement according to the needs of each country and region. Bridgestone supports community sustainability by contributing to efforts that enhance local health conditions and to create a culture of healthier lifestyles.

In 2024, Bridgestone undertook 222 initiatives^*1 related to health in 24 countries and regions. These include 206 initiatives involving external partners,^*2 the participation of 7,789 employee volunteers,^*3 and reaching 57,432 people^*4 in local communities.

Food insecurity affects many households in the United States due to rising income inequality. Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) collaborated with The Branch food pantry in Nashville and the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank during the country’s National Volunteer Week. Employees sorted donated food items and prepared meal kits for families facing economic hardship.

Bridgestone employees in Nashville collectively raised over USD 700,000 to support the United Way of Greater Nashville in helping economically disadvantaged households. During the giving campaign, 145 employees volunteered at nonprofit organizations that are part of the United Way of Greater Nashville.

Bridgestone EMEA Headquarters employees undertook an initiative in collaboration with the OnWheels app to address the mobility needs of wheelchair users in Brussels and enhance accessibility. A total of 20 employees volunteered to navigate 60 locations throughout the city using wheelchairs. They registered the accessibility information along with location data in the app, helping to gather crucial details on ramps, entrances, and other features important for wheelchair users. This data is provided to app users, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive environment for individuals facing mobility challenges.

A user-friendly digital platform, B-Olympic was designed to inspire Bridgestone employees to pursue active and healthy lifestyles. The program comprised a variety of physical activities, including walking, running, cycling, swimming, weightlifting, shopping, and gardening, each converted into a distance measured in kilometers. The platform also offered webinars and other high-quality content to inspire and guide employees.

Over the past seven years BSEMEA has set ambitious challenges for employees to accumulate kilometers though both physical and non-physical activities to reach a combined target, thereby encouraging more active and healthy lifestyles. Once the annual target was achieved, BSEMEA donated to 14 local NPOs active in cancer prevention.

2024 marked a significant milestone: Bridgestone employees collectively contributed nearly 2,350 hours (140,928 minutes) of activity during the Olympic Games. Their efforts continued afterward, reaching a target of over two million kilometers for the year. This remarkable achievement enabled the B-Olympic program to donate EUR 153,900 to local charities, reaching a cumulative donation figure of over EUR one million for the past seven years.

Thousands of employees from across EMEA have joined the initiative. Their collective efforts underscore the impact that a committed and united team can have, not only in achieving fitness goals but also in making a substantial difference in the fight against cancer.

For nearly a decade, the Handi Free Riders (HFR) association has been aiding riders with disabilities, giving them renewed enjoyment of their passion for motorcycles. Established in 2014 by Stéphane Paulus, a rider who experienced a severe motorcycle accident himself, the HFR association’s mission is to empower disabled riders to revitalize their love for motorcycles and roar back onto the circuit. Bridgestone has supported the organization since 2016 with an annual contribution of EUR 10,000. Thanks to HFR, many riders have returned to their bikes after months or even years of perseverance. For many, getting back on their bikes is a journey of rediscovering life, hope, and triumph.

In 2024, for the fourth year, Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (BSAPIC) and Bridgestone Tire Sales Singapore (BSTSG) continued their support for Willing Hearts – a charity soup kitchen that delivers over 10,000 meals daily to those in need.

1) Tire sponsorship
To help foster safe mobility, BSAPIC and BSTSG carried out a tire safety training and inspection program with Willing Hearts and their fleet of 15 vehicles. They also sponsored tires to ensure the fleet operates on safe, reliable equipment. BSAPIC and BSTSG collaborated with their client, H-Tyres (a dealer that also helps to service Willing Hearts’ vehicles), who will then help Willing Hearts fit the tires at their convenience.

2) Meal deliveries
A group of ten volunteers helped deliver 117 food packages to 49 locations across the island. After completing this task, the volunteers returned to Willing Hearts to join the kitchen volunteers.

3) Kitchen volunteers
A total of 23 Bridgestone employees were assigned to a kitchen to help prepare food and pack meals.

For more than ten years, Bridgestone has contributed to building a healthier society and revitalizing local communities through support for sporting events near its plants locations.

The Seki Plant participates in several events, including the Fudo no Mori Trail Run, the Seki Cycle Touring event, and the Seki City Marathon, where employees serve as first-aid volunteers on event days. They carry AEDs and accompany athletes on bicycles, ready to respond to emergencies. During nearby sporting events, Bridgestone also opens its parking lot and restrooms to the public and assists with event operations.

At the Shimonoseki Plant, employees provide drinks to participants in the Ishin Kaikyo Walk, while employees from the Hofu Plant volunteer at the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon by organizing the course and working at water stations. Through these efforts, Bridgestone supports the operation of local sporting and health events and helps promote health in the community.

Bridgestone will continue to deepen its ties with local communities through ongoing activities to help build a healthy and vibrant society.