Bridgestone reports net loss on lower sales for first nine months

ERJ staff report (DS)

Tokyo -- Bridgestone Corp reported an operating profit, but a net loss for the nine months ended 30 Sept, 2009. The company said sales in the nine months fell by 25 percent, to Yen 1.873 trillion (euro 13 940 million) compared with yen 2.500 trillion a year earlier. The company barely broke even, reporting operating income of just yen 12 000 million, but a net loss of yen 27 400 million.

Bridgestone's tyre business held up better than its diversified products activities. In tyres, the company said sales fell by 24 percent to yen 1.544 trillion, whereas the diversified products unit saw sales fall 31 percent to yen 0.338 trillion. The tyre activity remained in profit, while the diversified products activity reported an operatin gloss of yen 2600 million.

Referring to tyres, Bridgestone said, "there was a significant increase in sales of strategic products such as runflat tyres and ultra-high performance tyres in the replacement sector." Bridgestone said this effect was particularly seen in Europe.

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Press release from Bridgestone