New Bridgestone CEO praises Aiken plant

The new CEO of Bridgestone North America visited the Aiken plant Friday and espoused the virtues of the "flagship" plant.

Gary A. Garfield was visiting the Aiken plant for the second time and his first time in his new position atop the corporate ladder.

Garfield had nothing but positive words for plant employees and what they were achieving inside the plant and outside of it. He predicted a long, prosperous future for the manufacturing facility located off Bettis Academy Road, which employs more than 1,000 people.

"This is one of our flagship plants; we're extremely proud of this plant," Garfield said. "It does such a great job not just in terms of its productivity ... but in terms of the community, safety awards, wildlife habitat - all of that is just fabulous."

Garfield, who took over as CEO after Mark A. Emkes retired Feb. 28 after 33 years with the tire company, said the plant is the most productive passenger and light-truck facility in the Bridgestone system.

Environmental efforts at the plant have been recognized in recent years, including the creation of a wildlife habitat.

"We have this land; it's a way we can use the land in a positive manner for the community and the environment," Garfield said. "We believe strongly it should be important to everyone. In terms of the industry we are in ... we do a lot within the tire business to help the environment."

In 2007, the Aiken County tire plant was designated as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), and, in November 2008, the plant received the Special Commendation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Environmental Performance Track and WHC for its efforts in environmental protection and wildlife habitat restoration.

On Feb. 2, the plant earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This certification recognizes outstanding environmental building design and utilization and is rarely given to existing manufacturing sites.

Moving forward, Garfield said he sees a "great future" at the plant as an employer and community partner.

"We certainly do. We see nothing but a bright future for this plant," he said. "We have every reason to believe it will continue on the path it is currently on. (At the Aiken plant, employees) do a great job of building tires and do a great job in the community. We couldn't be more happy to be part of the team."

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.