NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 11, 2014) ― Bridgestone Americas Inc. will move its headquarters by mid- to late-2017 to a larger structure in downtown Nashville to allow the company to consolidate as many as 600 employees there from three business units not located in Nashville.
The new headquarters, to be sited in a 30-story, 514,000-sq.-ft. structure adjacent to Bridgestone Arena, will house more than 1,700 employees — 1,100 currently based in Nashville and 600 more from Bridgestone Retail Operations L.L.C., Firestone Building Products Co. L.L.C. and Firestone Industrial Products Co. L.L.C.
Bridgestone did not disclose its investment in the new structure, nor comment on the possibility of savings associated with the consolidation.
Subject to approvals from the Nashville Metropolitan Council, Industrial Development Board and the state of Tennessee, Bridgestone will break ground on the project in early 2015 with planned occupancy in the third quarter of 2017.
Bridgestone Americas has selected Highwoods Properties Inc. to develop the new headquarters. Highwoods in turn has retained Chicago-based Perkins + Will Inc. to design the facility, which is expected to be LEED-certified at the Gold level and reflect best practices in workplace space design.
Upon completion, the facility will be one of the largest and tallest corporate headquarters buildings in Nashville.
Bridgestone Americas CEO and President Gary Garfield disclosed the firm's decision today at a press conference in Nashville. He was joined by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam; Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty; Nashville Mayor Karl Dean; Nashville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ralph Schulz; and Highwoods Properties President and CEO Ed Fritsch.
“Uniting teammates from our core business units in one location is fundamental to continuing to build a bright, sustainable future for our company,” Mr. Garfield said, referring to the consolidation of the separate business units in Nashville.
“Under one roof, we will increase collaboration, innovation and growth across our lines of business. Current and future teammates will benefit by being part of an exciting and motivating workplace culture intensely focused on meeting the needs of those who buy our products and services.”
Bridgestone Retail Operations is based in Bloomingdale, Ill., while Firestone Building Products and Firestone Industrial Products are both in Indianapolis.
Mr. Haslam said, “It says a lot for our state that Bridgestone Americas is building a new headquarters and creating more than 600 new jobs here. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the company in the years to come.”
Regarding Bridgestone's decision to expand in Nashville despite “world-class receptions and very competitive offers” from other cities, Mr. Garfield said Nashville offers a “great quality of life and low business costs, with a reasonable cost of living for our teammates.”
He also cited the support and leadership shown by the State of Tennessee, Nashville Metro government and the Tennessee Valley Authority for his firm's decision.
Mr. Hagerty said Bridgestone's decision “further solidifies our position as the epicenter of the new Southern Automotive Corridor….”
Bridgestone said it has outgrown its leased headquarters facility near Nashville International Airport, where its lease is set to expire in late 2017.
“Locating here makes perfect sense,” Mr. Garfield said, “given Bridgestone's existing strong presence in and deep ties to Nashville and Middle Tennessee.”
Bridgestone opened its headquarters in Nashville in 1991, moving the bulk of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.'s administrative staff to Tennessee from Akron after parent firm Bridgestone Corp. bought Firestone in 1988.
