Bridgestone Americas Holding is an international manufacturer with 38 production facilities throughout the Americas. The Nashville, Tennessee-based company was formed in 1990 when Bridgestone U.S.A. merged with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. It is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation based in Tokyo, Japan. It traces its roots to the establishment of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1900. It was then that 31-year-old Harvey S. Firestone started tire production with 12 employees in Akron, Ohio. On the other side of the globe in 1931, Shojiro Ishibashi created Bridgestone Tire Company. Bridgestone Americas carries on the tradition of excellence established by its founders, blending Japanese and American methods to provide quality products.