COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations manufacturing plant provides employment to approximately 1,500 people in the community and contributes over 100 million dollars annually to the Des Moines economy. The plant also participates in various community activities with organizations such as Variety Club of Central Iowa, United Way of Central Iowa, Special Olympics, Rebuilding Together, American Heart Association, Keep America Beautiful, and Toys for Tots. The plant also offers scholarship programs to sons and daughters of teammates.

We believe an educated pool of employees results in a higher quality product. Therefore the plant, in conjunction with Simpson College, has developed an on-site college degree program. The program was started to give Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations employees the opportunity to increase skills and knowledge for their current job and beyond.

GROWING OUR BUSINESS AND OUR PEOPLE

On-site classes are offered on a rotating schedule, allowing production employees to attend on their days off. Classes meet once per week for three hours. Using this schedule, employees have the flexibility to decide whether or not to enroll in classes on a scheduled day on or off. The schedule is set in such a way as to allow employees, whose schedule may not fit a traditional college, to have access to opportunities available in a college setting while being flexible to their needs.

The management certificate is a college credit program shaped by the needs of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. Because many positions require a four-year degree or its equivalent to move into management, the company has collaborated with Simpson College to offer a certificate that would be equal to a four-year degree when applying for positions within the division.