Bridgestone becomes first ever tyre maker to receive ISO 50001

ERJ staff report (LMH)

Wilson, North Carolina - Bridgestone Americas says its Wilson County, North Carolina manufacturing facility has become the first tyre plant to earn ISO 50001 certification and the first plant, regardless of segment, to reach Superior Energy Performance (SEP) Mature Pathway certification.

ISO 50001:2011 is a new international standard specifying requirements for industrial Energy Management Systems. SEP is sponsored by the US Council for Energy-Efficient Manufacturing and encourages energy reduction above and beyond the ISO 50001 requirements, Bridgestone said.

Between the years of 2001 and 2011, the Wilson County plant has made “verifiable energy savings of 16.8 percent,” the tyre maker said in an 8 Nov news release.

“Our company has long been focused on reducing the use of natural resources and instituting sustainable manufacturing practices, so while earning this certification is a great honor, I'm happy to say it's also business as usual for our plant,” said Gary Williamson, Plant Manager of Bridgestone's Wilson County manufacturing facility. “Energy savings isn't just good for our environment, it's also good for our bottom line, so this is truly a win-win situation.”

The plant cites several recent energy savings projects that helped contribute to the certification, including switching the primary fuel source to natural gas in its boilers, shutting down equipment when not in operation, promptly repairing steam and air leaks, insulating piping and executing several lighting optimisation projects.

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News release from Bridgestone