Skip to content
‹ Back to IndustriesTransportation

DisruptED in Advanced Manufacturing: The Bridgestone Story with Will Robbins Pt. 2

A global tire manufacturer transforms industry standards by merging artificial intelligence with sustainability to stay ahead of rapid market disruption

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Transportation teams put it to work with Partner & Channel Enablement.

By Ron Stefanski · · BridgestoneBridgestone TiresDisruptedEvs
Share

Key takeaways

01

A global tire manufacturer transforms industry standards by merging artificial intelligence with sustainability to stay ahead of rapid market disruption

Free workspace

Turn your Transportation expertise into content.

Record interviews, organize footage, and write with AI on a free trial of the MarketScale platform for qualifying companies. No demo required, no credit card.

Try it Free

As the tire industry experiences and faces rapid change, Bridgestone — a global leader in mobility solutions — is leveraging cutting-edge technology and a deep-rooted culture of innovation to redefine what tires can do. From AI-driven analytics to sustainability initiatives, Bridgestone is at the forefront of an evolving landscape. But what truly sets them apart is the passion and humility of its workforce.

Bridgestone is at the forefront of an evolving landscape, with what truly sets them apart being the passion and humility of its workforce.

So, what drives Bridgestone's relentless pursuit of innovation? And how does a company in such a traditional industry continuously reinvent itself in an era of disruption?

For this second episode of "DisruptED" episode with Will Robbins, Executive Director of Strategic and Product Portfolio Planning at Bridgestone Americas, host Ron J. Stefanski picks up his conversation with Robbins. The two looked into the company's culture, the technological advancements shaping the tire industry, and the strategies that have helped Bridgestone stay ahead in a world that is moving faster than ever.

A few key points from their conversation covered:

  • Robbins' taken on why employees at Bridgestone are deeply committed to the company, with a focus on expertise balanced with humility.
  • AI, data analytics, and sustainability initiatives are transforming how tires are designed, manufactured, and maintained.
  • As the mobility sector evolves with EVs and automation, Bridgestone is investing in new skills, fostering collaboration, and growing its workforce to meet tomorrow's challenges.

Will Robbins is the Executive Director of Strategic and Product Portfolio Planning at Bridgestone Americas. He has over two decades of experience in the automotive and tire industry, and has played a key role in developing innovative product strategies that address the needs of a rapidly evolving market. Robbins has spent over 20 years in the automotive industry, with a passion for grassroots motorsports and mobility innovation. After stepping away briefly, he returned to Bridgestone, drawn back by its unique culture and mission. There he plays a key role in shaping the company's future through product innovation and strategic growth initiatives.

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Transportation starts with a company putting its fleet managers, logistics engineers, and safety leads on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Fleet and logistics buyers compare quietly, and your operators become the evidence that settles it.

Book DemoSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

About the author

RS
Ron Stefanski
B2B Weekly

The week in Transportation, and sixteen other industries, every Monday.

Ten stories, one-line takes, five minutes. Free.

Transportation: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Transportation buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. Explore how your experts, customers, and partners can become useful content for buyers and AI search.

Free Trial

You just read one Transportation expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your fleet managers, logistics engineers, and safety leads into the articles, video, and social content Transportation buyers are searching for. Start a free trial and see it with your own people. For qualifying companies, no credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What your free trial includes

Hands-on access to the MarketScale platform
Media requests to your crowd, remote recording, AI writing tools
No demo required. No credit card.
For qualifying companies. Company confirmation required.

More Transportation Insights

Maersk's customer forum targets the gap between using AI and scaling it

Maersk's customer forum targets the gap between using AI and scaling it

Maersk's Copenhagen forum put supply chain AI's scaling gap on stage. In a Maersk survey, 52% of European businesses use AI in their supply chains, but only 5% have scaled it. Customer sessions from Reckitt, Danfoss and Schaeffler focused on freight procurement and delivery certainty.

  • 01For every European business running AI across its supply chain operations, about ten use it somewhere without having scaled it: 52% versus 5% in a Maersk survey of more than 800 firms.
  • 02Freight procurement and supply leaders are key in AI scaling conversations at Maersk's forum.
  • 03Delivery certainty can reduce inventory buffers, and a $10 million figure from one Tennessee company is cited only as a reference point, not a Maersk-customer forecast.

Oct 13, 2026

Michelin's X Multi Energy D2 drive tire cuts rolling resistance 9% over its predecessor

Michelin's X Multi Energy D2 drive tire cuts rolling resistance 9% over its predecessor

Michelin’s X Multi Energy D2 regional drive tire targets fleets running the X Multi Energy D in 295/75R22.5 LRG, 11R22.5 LRG or 11R22.5 LRH. Michelin’s footnotes base its performance percentages on 11R22.5 LRG tires, so fleets in 295/75R22.5 or LRH could ask for size-specific data.

  • 01The 18% figure is a rolling resistance comparison against two named tires, the Bridgestone M760 Ecopia and the Goodyear Fuel Max RTD, in Michelin's internal ISO 28580 testing, which gives buyers a specific head-to-head to check against their own data.
  • 02The change will matter first to fleets running the X Multi Energy D in 295/75R22.5 LRG, 11R22.5 LRG or 11R22.5 LRH. That suggests D fleets may encounter the D2 when ordering those sizes.

Oct 3, 2026

Mass Transit reports finished bus refurbishments for Long Beach and Minot

Mass Transit reports finished bus refurbishments for Long Beach and Minot

Mass Transit reported that Complete Coach Works finished refurbishment jobs on 13 Long Beach Transit articulated buses and one Minot City Transit bus. On the Long Beach buses, the biggest change was a swap to Cummins L9N near-zero engines. Jefferson Transit Authority is getting one refurbished bus from CCW through Washington's cooperative purchasing contract. California's Fresno Area Express has also bought CCW work under that contract, which shows its reach goes past Washington.

  • 01Midlife refurbishments can include major engine swaps: LBT’s 2015 New Flyer artics replaced ISL-G engines with Cummins L9N CNG 'Near Zero' units.

Oct 1, 2026

Explore More Transportation Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Transportation.

Browse Transportation Hub

About the Expert

RS
Ron Stefanski

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Transportation and beyond.

Book a Demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512