Mark A. Emkes, chairman and chief executive officer of Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. (BSAH), announced a plan to rename the company's operations effective January 1, 2009.
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BSAH, the parent company of the Bridgestone Group's tire operations in the Americas, will be changed to Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSAM).
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Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) will be renamed Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (BATO), and will be a part of the larger business unit also known as Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, a newly established operating unit announced earlier.
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BFS Retail & Commercial Operations LLC (BFRC), Bridgestone Americas' retail tire and automotive service unit and the operator of the well-known Firestone Complete Auto Care and Tires Plus outlets, will be known as Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC (BSRO).
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Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Tire Operations (BFLA) will be known as the Latin American Tire division, BATO.
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Bridgestone Americas' international subsidiaries will also be renamed to focus on membership in the Bridgestone family of companies, for example, Bridgestone Firestone de México, S.A. de C.V. (BFMX) will be known as Bridgestone de México, S.A. de C.V. (BSMX) and Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) will be renamed Bridgestone Canada Inc. (BSCA).
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Effective Jan. 1, 2009, BFS Diversified Products, LLC (which does business as Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products) (BFDP) will be renamed Firestone Diversified Products LLC (FSDP). Since most of that company's subsidiaries already carry the Firestone name, there will be no further name changes in that organization.