RIGHT TRACK YOUR JOURNEY. OUR PASSION.

2016 FARM PROGRESS SHOW

The Farm Progress Show, the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, took place August 30 through September 1, 2016, in Boone, . Firestone was a major exhibitor showcasing 15 our full product line of tires and tracks.

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP

In late February of 2014, Bridgestone transitioned from using the Standard Driven Process to create change and improvements within 08 the plant to the DMAIC process which we now use on a daily basis.

FALL 2016 CONTENTS I Fall 2016 COVER STORY 2016 FARM PROGRESS SHOW The Farm Progress Show, the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, took place August 30 through September 1, 2016, in Boone, Iowa. Firestone was a major exhibitor showcasing 15 our full product line of tires and tracks.

08 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP

06 12 The Right Track FALL 2016 IT’S OUR SHIP GEMBA-KY A newsletter for and about BAAG Michael Abrashoff was a great influence on my During the week of July 11-15, a group of clock card teammates published quarterly by teammates left their regular duties and headed up career, and personal life. When I first arrived on Bridgestone America Tire the USS Benfold, it was being built in Pascagoula, to what’s commonly referred to in Des Moines as Operations, LLC. . The ship was under the command of “the North End” - the Mixing department. another Commanding Officer. They were there to observe processes and talk with teammates about standards. Des Moines Agricultural Tire Manufacturing Plant 4600 N.W. 2nd Avenue 14 Survey 18 P.O. Box 1295 Time! Des Moines, IA 50306-1295 BUCKET LIST: RAGBRAI PPTW CORNER 515.243.1211 Through the years, I have had several friends Beginning September 26, the plant will once again www.bfusa.com and family members who rode a day or two of be taking the Premier Place to Work (PPTW) RAGBRAI and raved about the fun ride, and this Survey. All teammates will have the opportunity to Privacy Policy encouraged me to put RAGBRAI at the top of my complete the survey during their scheduled shift. To opt out of having your name in the Birthdays bucket list. or Milestones section, send an email to [email protected].

This publication is produced by Have news for us? Don’t be shy, let us know! We’re always on the lookout for new story ideas. Our stories are for you and about you. Your input matters! Send an email to: [email protected] www.farmboyinc.com From the Plant Manager SECOND HALF HERE WE COME We now have the first six months of 2016 in the books, and I think it’s time to take a look back to see how we did. As with most of our previous years, we have had some pluses, some minuses, some areas of success, and some opportunities for improvement.

Let’s start with Safety. The Safety Incidence These are very big tires that cost a lot of Costs have been a little bit of struggle in the Rate (SIR), which is the number of recordable money, so if we scrap one or two of those, the 1H of 2016. The main reason is due to our injuries per 100 teammates per year, came in plant costs skyrocket. That’s one of the reasons lower than expected ticket as compared to below budget in the 1H. The 2016 SIR budget why we have a team in place to work on budget. While we are 99% and 100% of units for the year is a maximum rate of 3.05. After forestry quality improvement. and weight vs. ticket, we are only 95% of the first six months of 2016, we are sitting at Like safety, quality is one area where we can units and 91% of weight versus budget. Like 2.80, just below budget. We had a phenomenal never take our eye off the ball. We make the many plants, the Des Moines plant has a high first four months of the year but took a couple best performing AG tires in the world. Our fixed cost load. Fixed expenses such as taxes of steps back in May and June. However, even customers are depending on us to continue to and depreciation do not change if we make with good SIR we had a very serious injury do that. one tire or 5,000 tires. Thus, a reduced ticket in the 1H, and we need to complete our means the tires that we do produce cost more investigation of it. On Delivery, it’s been a decent year; at the because they must absorb more of the end of the 1H, we were at 99% of ticketed fixed costs. Always remember that the safety of our units and 100% of ticketed weight. That’s right teammates is the number one priority in the where we want to be. Not only is making On the plus side, we are doing a good job with plant. Nothing is ever more important than ticket important, it is also important not to what we can control. Our leverage cost, which safety. Please always work safely. Your family is overproduce the ticket. Overproducing the is a measure of how well we manage costs depending on you. ticket results in excess tires in the warehouse, with a reduced ticket, was $1.5M positive in Regarding Quality, we’ve seen steady which have a carrying cost expense and ties the 1H. Great job there. improvement each year on waste and scrap up dollars. High warehouse inventories can Overall, I think we had a pretty good first half, since 2011. That trend has reversed a little this also result in reduced tickets or additional especially considering the conversion to a year in the 1H 0f 2016. Whereas last year we production days out if the tires can’t be sold. five-day operation in January. The second half ended up at 2.78% waste and scrap in 2016, So, being at 100% of ticket is right where we will undoubtedly bring about new challenges. we are currently at 3.03%. need to be. For example, in July we saw a large increase A couple of things have hurt us in this area; Another thing we need to focus on is not in the small bias ticket, which has increased one we knew about and one we didn’t. First, just total weight, but also making sure we plant complexity to an all time high. That is we realized that the conversion to five days are making the right tire at the right time. something that we need to manage as best could have a negative impact on waste and We call that OTOS, on-time and on-schedule. we can. As always, we must concentrate on scrap. That’s because of the additional startup It is important to note that OTOS is not just what we can control. We will continue to look and shutdown each week, plus increased plant for Warehouse, but also Components, Tire for ways to be safer, increase tire quality, and complexity due to an increased number of Room, Curing, and Final. Everyone needs to be become more productive. It will take all of us cleanups. The second factor that has impacted managing their own OTOS for the warehouse working together to be successful and keep waste and scrap costs is the increased OTOS to be good. the Des Moines plant the premiere AG tire forestry ticket. plant in the world. Thank you everyone for all of your hard work, dedication and support. Let’s have a great rest “Overall, I think we had a pretty of the year. Greg Halford I Plant Manager good first half, especially considering the conversion to a five-day operation in January.”

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 3 THE 411 ON Fall Fire USW LOCAL 310: What’s Going On at Local 310 Safety Update The month of October is Fire Prevention Month. Fire departments in the respond to nearly 2 million fires each year, with about 75% of those fires Brothers & Sisters, occurring in homes. Welcome to fall at ICD. If you haven’t signed up No one plans on a fire happening at work or in their for a class yet, there’s always time to do so! We offer a revolving variety of classes to suit your interests home but it is important to be prepared in case a fire and schedule. does occur. Here are simple tips that will protect all Perhaps you’re interested in We’re also considering offering who live in your home. how to better use your iPad or different types of flooring 1. Smoke Alarms – Install a smoke alarm on every level of your Android tablet? Or your desktop classes, as well as other arts and home and test it monthly. computer? Classes are focused crafts classes. Keep your eye on on one topic at a time, and only the plant monitors for further 2. Prevent Electrical Fires – Don’t overload circuits or extension run two hours long. This allows information, and contact Stacey cords. Cords and wires should never be placed under rugs or in you to get over here, learn what as directed if you see something high traffic areas. Avoid loose electrical connections by checking you want, and get on with the that interests you. the fit of the plug in the wall outlet. rest of your day! Potential class If you’re thinking about going to 3. Space Heaters – Make sure there is ample space around any topics are: college, let ICD help! We offer up portable heating unit. Anything that could catch fire should be at • Managing Settings to $1800 per calendar year, per least three feet away. & Security student, up to a certain number • All About the Apps of students. You can study almost 4. Create An Escape Route – Create and practice your escape plan (that come on your whatever you want, as long as with your family from every room in the house. Practice staying tablet or desktop) you attend a properly accredited low to the floor and checking for hot doors using the back of your school. If you want to attend a hand. It’s just like a drill fire at work or school, but in your home. • Windows 10 Update/ school we haven’t worked with Overview yet, see Stacey at the ICD as soon 5. Position Appliances Carefully – Try to keep TV sets, kitchen, • How to Watch TV, Movies, as you can. It takes time to vet and other appliances away from windows with curtains. If there is or Read online the school and get approval from a wiring problem, curtains can spread a fire quickly. Additionally, keeping your appliances away from water sources (like rain Maybe you’re looking for a more ID HQ. If you want to attend a coming in from windows) can help prevent wiring damage which hands-on experience. We either school we already work with, can lead to a fire. currently offer or are looking things can move a little more into offering the following: quickly because the working relationship is already in place. 6. Clean Dryer Vents – Clean the lint filter every time you start a • Self Defense load of clothes to dry or after the drying cycle is complete. Make Be sure to take advantage sure your exhaust duct is made of metal tubing and not plastic or • Intro to Welding of all that ICD has to offer! foil. Clean the exhaust duct with a good quality dryer vent brush • Experienced Welding After all, it’s your ICD. to prevent blockage & check for lint build up behind the dryer at least twice a year. • Intro to Drywall Steve Vonk I President USW • Intro to Woodworking Local 310 7. Be Careful Around the Holidays – If you fill your home with or other Woodworking lights during the holiday season, keep them away from anything topics that can easily catch fire. Check all of your lights prior to stringing • Stained Glass them up and dispose of anything with frayed or exposed wires. • Glass Blown 8. Conduct Regular Inspections – Check all of your electronic Ornament-Making equipment and wiring at least once a month. Taking a little time to do this each month can really pay off.

WAYS TO STAY IN TOUCH: Tyler Paccamonti I Safety & Health Manager CALL: 515-288-9946 WEBSITE: uswlocal310.org FACEBOOK: ICD Local 310 STOP BY: M-T-Th-F 7:30- Learning Center 12:30/1:30-4:30; Wed 7:30-12:30 TWITTER: @icdlocal310

4 Fall 2016 OneTHE of the development classesSS we began lastDES year was a Leadership MOINES Institute for the Des Moines leadership team (basically composed of the managers who report to me, and myself). The group meets quarterly and the intent of the meetings is to learn about and develop leadership skills, develop change management skills, and look for succession planning opportunities.

Several times now, we’ve identified a However, Captain Abrashoff proved that he leadership book, had the group read the book, believed in his crew and respected them. and then discussed the book, looking for Personally, I think that this matter of respect is ways to bring some of the more innovative what drove the improvements on the ship and successful ideas to the Des Moines plant. that followed. So far we've read three separate books, with I think we can learn a great deal from that the most recent one titled It's Your Ship by message. While the Des Moines plant isn't Captain Michael Abrashoff. I would have to a ship, we do have our own community say that of the three books, the last one was of similar individuals. Because of that, I my favorite. think respect is vital in everything we do It’s Your Ship is about a Navy Captain who The USS Benfold. at the plant. How likely are you to listen to took over an older ship – the USS Benfold – instructions from a manager or an idea from a that was unsuccessful in many ways and had a clock card teammate whom you don't respect? high attrition rate. The Captain saw potential But one thing struck me in particular as a very Probably not very likely. For sure, you won't in both the ship and, more importantly, the powerful message. In the Navy there is a rigid go the extra mile for someone you don't people on the ship. In the book, Captain chain of command and enlisted men/women respect. It is important to note that respect is Abrashoff details how he turned the ship and officers do not usually intermingle. a two-way street. It is both earned and given. around in just a few short years. Before long, However, Captain Abrashoff made it a point We must all do better. to walk around the ship and meet with the the ship was one of the best ships in the Navy One last comment, and I saved the best for and was known as a fun place to work. sailors, and he often had dinner with the crews in the enlisted area. He also allowed the last. Adam Wiseman, Maintenance Section As a result, the captain saw the attrition rate Leader, was actually on the USS Benfold at the drop dramatically. crew members to meet with and give tours to the high-ranking officials who visited the same time as Captain Abrashoff. Adam was in Each chapter explains the different steps the ship – a task normally handled by the officers. the fortunate position to see and experience Captain took to improve the performance of Those decisions were considered atrocious in the change in person. If you get a chance, you the USS Benfold and the crew. I think I can other ships under more staid captains. might want to get with Adam and ask him safely sum up Captain Abrashoff's approach about his time on the USS Benfold. I'll bet he with one key idea: the Golden Rule. Treat has some stories to tell. other people as you would like to be treated. Respect....Give it to get it. In the book, the Captain talks about how he respected the crew, asked for their ideas, Greg Halford I Plant Manager trusted them to do what is right, and did not micromanage them to death.

“Personally, I think that this matter of respect is what drove the improvements on the ship that followed. I think we can learn a great deal from that message.”

TURN THE PAGE TO READ ABOUT ADAM’S EXPERIENCE ON THE USS BENFOLD!

Adam Wiseman with Captain Abrashoff in 2013.

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 5 MichaelIT’S Abrashoff was a greatOUR influence on my career,SHIP and personal life. When I first arrived on the USS Benfold, it was being built in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship was under the command of another Commanding Officer. This CO was the classic example of a person that was a leader only by title.

His communication to the crew was During the meetings, Abrashoff asked each I feel that we are currently in a similar nonexistent. The Commander made it clear sailor a few personal questions: “What did situation in our plant. We are in the middle that when an enlisted sailor crossed paths you do before joining the Navy?” “Where do of some difficult times. It may not be a life with him, he expected a salute and nothing you want to be in five years?” “What are the or death situation; however, many family’s more. Under his leadership, morale sunk and opportunities for improvement on this ship?” livelihoods would be seriously impacted if we the crew failed to perform. He treated you like an individual, and through were unable to successfully push through this Successfully completing the sea trials that that, he slowly started to gain respect. difficult period. would qualify our Destroyer to be seaworthy As changes and improvements were made, Abrashoff’s leadership style revolves around and battle-ready seemed to be an unattainable morale increased, and so did performance. a few key ideas. He feels that people are the goal. Many sailors had ideas on how we could Abrashoff made it clear to the senior ranking most valuable asset. He believes that leaders improve our performance. Unfortunately, sailors that leadership was earned, not should lead by example, and listen aggressively. the Commanding Officer did not entertain designated. He wholeheartedly believed His goal was to create a climate of trust. the ideas of the crew. This only seemed to the crew was the backbone of the ship; he He also feels that ownership is the key to compound our morale issues. Not long after impressed upon the crew that each and every motivation, and that each and every member the ship was commissioned, the Commander one of us was responsible for the success and of the team must take initiative. I believe that was relieved of his position. He was failures of the ship. We had no room on our this mindset is necessary in order to carry our immediately replaced by Michael Abrashoff. ship for people who didn’t have the best of plant well into the future. Like the Benfold, Abrashoff’s first move aboard the ship was intentions. We would soon be sailing to the our plant is full of talent. We also have a Senior a bold one. He announced that he would be Persian Gulf, and our lives were literally in one Management team that has the plant’s best meeting with each and every sailor one-on-one another’s hands. intentions in mind. in his State Room, and there were 310 sailors Under Abrashoff’s leadership, not only did We must all realize that the Des Moines Plant on the ship. This was a completely foreign we successfully complete our sea trials, but is our ship. concept. Under the previous Commanding during our time in the Persian Gulf, we went Adam Wiseman I Officer, an enlisted sailor wasn’t permitted on to receive the Battle Efficiency award and Maintenance Section Leader on the deck where the Commanding Officer the coveted Spokane Trophy. The Spokane resided, much less in his State Room, unless Trophy is awarded to the ship that is the most you had the unfortunate assignment of proficient in overall combat systems readiness. cleaning the Officers’ Quarters. Of course, these accomplishments did not come without long hours and hard work.

“He wholeheartedly believed the crew was the backbone of the ship; he impressed upon the crew that each and every one of us was responsible for the success and failures of the ship.”

Adam receiving his Enlisted Surface Warfare Adam on the USS Benfold, 1997. Adam was a Gas Turbine Mechanic who was Specialist pin from Commander responsible for the four main engines and the Michael Abrashoff. auxiliary equipment in the ship’s engine room--GE LM2500 Gas Turbines.

6 Fall 2016 Plant News BSA Family Milestones

Travis Bainter (left), son of Krista Bainter, Matt (Engineering) and Jess Johnson Congratulations to Kim (Dept. 139) and (Dept. 151/269) graduated from Lincoln welcomed their daughter, Lyla Marie Rose Peterson, married on August 6, 2016. High School on May 28, 2016. Her other son, Johnson, into the world on April 25, 2016. Johnathan Brewer (right), graduated from She weighed 7lb 11oz. Ankeny High School on June 4, 2016. When your family celebrates a milestone, the BAAG family would like to celebrate with you! We're interested in news about births, marriages, graduations,and special honors in your immediate family--especially Bridgestone teammates' retirement parties! Send submissions to [email protected]. 2016 Bridgestone Scholarship Winners Honored Three 2016 Des Moines area high school seniors were recipients of the Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Scholarship Program. They are (pictured below in order from left to right): Anna Ruble, daughter of John (Warehouse) and Linda Ruble; Morgan Shaffer, daughter of Chris (Stock Cutting) and Cindy Shaffer; and Julian Castillo, son of Jodi (Division) and Luis Castillo. They were each awarded $4,000 to be sent to their college as a single payment this fall.

The funds were provided by Bridgestone and administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Applicants had to go through their process and were ultimately chosen by their selection committee. Anna will study Computer Science and Music at Luther College. Morgan is heading to the University of Iowa where she is enrolled in their Pre-Med program, and Julian will major in Business at the University of Northern Iowa. Plant leadership honored the three scholarship winners at a luncheon held here at the plant on August 15. Congratulations again to Anna, Morgan, Julian and their families!

We have two hilarious submissions to our request for “jokes that make you wince.” Jim Hellvig submitted the winning joke that made Rich Wince, wince! Why didn’t the toilet paper cross the road? It got stuck in a crack!

Jim, come on up to CI for your fabulous prize!

IF YOU’RE NOT WINCING YET, MAYBE THIS ONE WILL GET YOU: Do you know the difference between the BIRD FLU and SWINE FLU ? One needs tweetment and the other needs oinkment! with Rich Wince Sherrie Wallace, Dept. 512

Thank you to everyone who submitted! Limit two jokes per issue, one win per calendar year for TRT contests

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 7 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP DAILY DMAIC AND CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS

In my four years working to build and grow the Daily DMAIC Improvement and Sustainability program in Des Moines, partnering with Bill Martz has proven invaluable. Bill comes from the Standard Driven Process (SDP) school of thought and had seen solid success with SDP, so he was justifiably skeptical of this new thing called Daily DMAIC. This made my job of rolling out Daily DMAIC more difficult than expected, but looking back, I’m glad he didn’t just roll over and accept the new way. Bill’s continual questioning of Daily DMAIC kept me working to close gaps identified and ultimately led to a much more robust solution. The end result was something bigger and better than either of us could have imagined – Daily DMAIC is now being recognized and adopted throughout the North American corporation as a best practice! The Daily DMAIC work Bill has been doing with Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) in the time since has turned in some very impressive results for the Calendering and Extrusion department. Rich Wince, Plant Black Belt

Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” While perfection isn’t necessarily the goal of the Cross-Functional Team in and of itself, the ideal of embracing improvement and change is.

In late February of 2014, Bridgestone Reduced waste means a reduced cost in transitioned from using the Standard Driven production, which is a good thing, especially Process to create change and improvements at a time when the plant is doing all it can to within the plant to the DMAIC process which minimize costs. “Reduced waste reduces the we now use on a daily basis. cost of production, which means we produce According to Bill Martz, Kaizen Leader in less to get the same amount of material to Calendering and Extrusion, the tools are similar customers,” says Martz. This not only leads but have a few key distinctions. “The DMAIC to higher customer satisfaction, but it has an shifts the focus a little bit. With the Standards environmental impact, as well. “We don’t send Driven Process, you look at the actual results much of our processing waste to landfill; most versus the set standards, and you try to close of it is sold at a reduced price. We use less those gaps. With DMAIC, you do the same material and less resources to make the same thing, but it gives us the chance to analyze the product,” Martz explains. data so we can see how much farther we can The results aren’t just for the benefits of the go,” he explains. BOSS or the environment, either. Using the According to Martz, the metrics and analysis in DMAIC process results in teammates who are DMAIC are used to refine the goal midstride, more satisfied with their daily work; Martz instead of going after a static goal that may believes the process makes their job leaner not be reachable for a variety of reasons. and removes the obstacles to getting their “Sometimes through the analysis we find work done. that we don’t achieve the goal because of an To that end, the Cross-functional base uncontrollable factor that has changed, so we team consists of Martz, the Area Business have to adjust to match it,” says Martz. Manager (Latasha Brown), Process Engineer For example, instead of trying to get back to (Jason Pewe), Mechanical Engineer (Emily a budget that has changed, DMAIC tools give Wood), Electrical Engineer (Jack Lovell), two teams a better thermometer so they can revise maintenance reps (Henry Endris and Greg the goal if necessary. Wolf), and Jeff Holtan, who works on the production Kaizen. Through using Cross-Functional Teams and the Daily DMAIC process, Martz and his At the beginning of each project, the base team department have improved their processes and determines the need for the project (based on experienced incredible results with their waste identified issues or safety hazards), metrics of budgets. Their metrics track against this year’s the project, as well as the budget, what they set budget and last year’s actual budget. As far need to track, and the equipment they might as waste goes, they’ve come in well under last be working on. year’s metric for waste in the first five months, and they’ve had the same experience with the amount of compounds dumped.

8 Fall 2016 “As we analyze data and brainstorm ideas, their input becomes very important for the outcome of the project. The teammate using the process is the expert, so it’s very critical to have their input.” Bill Martz

Based on that information, they’ll determine The teams work together through a series of They achieved their goal within the quarter who they might need to reach out to for meetings that are held every two weeks on and it continues to maintain itself into this help on the team. If they’re working on an Thursday from 12-1, and every other Tuesday year. “The root causes of the issue were a issue with an extruder, for example, the from 12-1. On the Tuesday they don’t meet, cold start to the run, and we implemented a team would approach the operator’s area they present their current status in DMAIC countermeasure using steam to heat the dye and ask them to participate, after explaining projects and request any additional sources up during the start of the run,” explained the particulars of the project. “For one of our they may need. The projects are called A3 Martz. The team also identified specific dye projects, we’re working with John Richards, projects (for the size of the paper they use for shapes that gave the line more trouble, which an operator who is extremely knowledgeable the project). they improved. in that area,” says Martz. The objective of the team is to complete a Bill Martz is a fan of the DMAIC process “As we analyze data and brainstorm ideas, project in a quarter. Depending on the scope, and believes in its potential, not only for their input becomes very important for the they may complete it faster than their allotted Bridgestone, but for the lives of teammates. outcome of the project. The teammate using three months, or they may have to change the “Daily DMAIC can be used by anybody, the process is the expert, so it’s very critical scope of the project so they can fit it within anywhere, at any time. It doesn’t take a lot of to have their input,” says Martz. “Most people the proper timeframe. education to bring someone up to speed and want to help because they understand at the A recent successful project they’ve seen to help them understand to the point where they end of the day, it will help them do their job, completion addressed the ragged edge on one can use it themselves,” he says. And the scope make it less difficult, and eliminate headaches of their tuber lines. “In that case, we achieved of the problem doesn’t have to be huge. “You for a better result.” our objective goal and made the product a can use it at home and you can analyze your So far, the success of their projects has built much better product, and it wasn’t a high daily life with the process,” he says, “but it’s confidence in their work as a team. “We learn dollar fix – the ROI (return on investment) robust enough that it handles larger problems. from any failures that we have together as a was very good,” says Martz. Daily DMAIC encompasses everything that I team. We have teammates on the floor who need to do my job the best way.” are more fulfilled being part of the process and part of the decision-making. When the end results are better as a result of their contributions, they get pride out of that,” says Martz.

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 9 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEAMMATES

OCT NOV DEC Abdulghani Abdulrahim Timothy Linn Michelle Alexander David Kolpin Amit Agarwal Scott Long Michael Anderson Terry Logue Alex Allen James Lafferty Peter Alvarez Franklin Luogon Randy Andrew Marc Lovan Cade Baethke Anthony Lasala Yatta Bartuah Patrick Lutz Stacy Appelgate Youa Lovan Joseph Bauman Matthew Leber Christopher Beahr Lawrence Mally Alec Baldus Seng Lovan Marcus Bell Greg Leuschner William Bell Nicholas Maples Donald Bales Brandon Love Kenneth Bartlett Hien Luong Keenan Bell Saichellappa Linda Berndt Troy Martin Wesley Beeghly Terri Lyon Stefan Beme Mandiramoorthy Terry Bickford William Martz II Dennis Bolich Ronald Martin Wayne Birkenholz Byron Martinez Larry Black Ken McDougal John Bond Rick Matejka Eugene Blaser Michael McCallister Robbie Boggess James Miller Scott Brannon Vance Mattison Joe Bosley Dustin Mckee Derek Bolles Venita Miller Timothy Breon Wade McClellan Jeff Bradley Eugene Merritt Austin Briggs Robert Moore Jeff Broders Timothy McKnight Ted Butcher Jonathon Milledge Brandt Bronnenberg David Morawski Douglas Bronner Jonathan McMains Keith Carpenter Michael Monahan Eric Buckner Ryan Mumm Thomas Brumback Leon McNeal II Brett Campbell Robert Melgoza Richard Carrasco Khouane Mork Chau Bui Donald Murray Kevin Carlson Monica Mesecher Bernard Carroll Roger Navin Shalavah Bundu Zachary Murray Frank Carra SR James Michels Steven Clanton Douglas Nixon Coryon Byerly Charles Navin Scott Carter Alfredo Muniz Kyle Clark Jason Olson Kerry Carlberg Yassir Noory Boun Chanchom Benjamin Murry James Clark Troy Ouverson Teresa Carter Shawn Pepel Tina Chapman Louis Ngor Kelly Coleman Aaron Oviatt Laurie Chapman Terry Petefish Donald Cheek Timothy Ohrt Sherwin Cook Mary Prescott Christopher Chapman Vilayvanh Phetpriyavanh Bobbi Chiles Frank Paulus Jamjay Cooper James Reasoner Trenton Cosner Don Rhoades Robert Clausen Frank Pazzi JR Freddie Claytor Armand Perrier III Bruce Corbin Devin Reid Timothy Cox JR David Richardson Salomon Colunga Terry Petersen Kerry Cox Steven Repplinger Robert Craig Harry Rostoks James Conley Kent Phongsa Bradley Dales James Roberts Rosie Crawford Jeff Rynearson Adam Cornish Robert Piehl JR Youp Den Mark Roney Lisa Dales Adam Sampson Shane Cotter Randy Piper Gregory Dennis Michael Roth Brandon Davies John Sims Machelle Cutting Zachary Plew Darey Douch Brett Russelburg Bryan Davies Steven Skellenger Kraig Daugherty Joseph Pollock Shannon Duchene Amir Serdarevic David Debruyn Douglas Smith Deanh Den John Reichart Bruce Fleenor Christine Shelton Dustin Dellachiesa Scott Smith Chad Dowling Marco Reyes Georgia Draeger Scott Richardson Thomas Fleming Cory Shinn Daniel Eichhorn Joshua Snell Ernest Edwards Gary Riley Matt Frank Malcolm Short Dana Elifritz Vot Son John Finley Stephen Rios Jessica Fregozo Ryan Spellerberg Jairus Estayo Joe Spiewak Scott Forcht Daniel Robinson Gerri Gabbard Judd Steben Steven Felder Larry Spray II Charles Fountain Marcel Robinson Ronald Glenn Ed Steil Daniel Finnegan Joel Stanger Anastasia Gaye Joseph Robuck William Glunz Edward Storm William Frantz Steven Sutherland Hugh Gieseke Thomas Rodgers Nancy Gomez Jerry Tant Dennis Fritz Kendrick Thedford Chris Gist David Roff Robert Goods Tammy Umble Andrew Gabel Patrick Trotter Douglas Goering Jonathan Samson Richard Grant Clayton Scheve Walter Green Bradley Vanbrogen Jason Gabler Raschawn Turner Steve Greenhorn Christopher Shaffer Amy Gregory Doug Vandyke Thomas Gass Michael Wadden Jeannie Gregory Stephen Shelton Toby Hall Dustin Wainscott Samuel Hall Diana Walle Steven Gregory Casey Short Alex Hayes Matt Wallace James Hamilton Thomas Ward Lorrie Hanifen Anthony Short Daniel Henderson William Willenborg Cara Harris Jackie Wells Timothy Hanson Dean Sigwalt Nathan Hofstadter Bradley Williams Todd Hendricks Richard Wicker Keith Hanson Teresa Sjulin Patricia Holdmeyer Habakkuk Williams Eric Hollins Nathan Wright Hosen Hasna Matthew Slocum Jefferson Howe John Williams JR Michael Horner John Yori Duane Haugen Lorensa Sonnek Floyd Hesseltine Mark Sprouse Andrew Hutchinson Fredrick Williams JR Sabrina Jensen Darlington Ziaty Steve Hill William Steffens Miranda Johnson Donald Withers Jeremiah Johnson Robert Hites William Stout Corey Johnson Emily Wood Jason Jordan Willie Hoof JR Lance Street Deborah Jones Ted Worthington Kenneth Klingaman Susan Howell-Spurgeon Toulaxay Symuongsong Dennis Kaisand Chris Wulf Jesse Knight John Hughes Khamkeo Sysombath Anthony Kaplar Calvin Yakle Robert Koehler JR Keith Hunter Kenji Tateishi Christina Knapp Phanh Laramek Denzel Irvin Keith Taylor Kenneth Jackson Stephen Thompson Jabbar Jefferson Robert Thompson Shawn Jenkins Montrell Thompson John Jennett Hoi Tran Tyna Johnson-Vandenbroeke Joseph Traylor Abigail Jones Cuong Truong Kyvong Kanyavimonh Olay Tulapah R. Kaplar Shane Twogood Scott Lafferty Jeff Tyler Keith Lawrence Hang Vong Danette Lebon Darrell Vonrentzell Michael Leffler Dusty Wallace Mark Lehman Jason Wicker Melissa Lewis Warren Young Jeremy Lewis HAPPY BIRTHDAY Donavan Lindaman Gerald Lindberg TEAMMATES

10 Fall 2016 MILESTONES

40 years 5 years

James Moon 145 10/4/1976 Terrell Harris 123 10/3/2011 FROM Carroll Kilgore 175 12/3/1976 Brent Sherrill 124 10/3/2011 Dada Slebo 426 10/3/2011 Nathan Gifford 426 10/3/2011 Alissa Russelburg 512 10/15/2011 20 years Nathan Nartey 139 10/17/2011 5 YEARS Ronald Carter 159 10/17/2011 Robert Hathaway 831 11/18/1996 Cale Adamson 179 10/17/2011 Gary Brown 831 12/2/1996 Melvin Jewell 239 10/17/2011 Mary Moulton 412 10/17/2011 TO Zachary Kalvig 793 10/17/2011 15 years Derek Bolles 762 10/24/2011 Deandre Grady 159 11/7/2011 Ronnie Ingram 954 10/22/2001 Archie Cooper 269 11/7/2011 40 YEARS, Brandon Love 175 10/29/2001 Coryon Byerly 793 11/7/2011 Chad Cline 412 10/29/2001 Ted Butcher 831 11/7/2011 Matthew Gregory 954 10/29/2001 Saichellappa 954 11/7/2011 Mandiramoorthy THANK YOU Christian Renner 178 12/3/2001

10 years FOR ALL THAT Bernard Carroll 793 11/1/2006 YOU DO.

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 11 Mike Maertens and Emily Brannon watch Shawn Jenkins at the Master Batch Banburies

GO SEE, GEMBA-KY: ASK WHY During the week of July 11-15, a group of clock card teammates left their regular duties and headed up to what’s commonly referred to in Des Moines as “the North End,” the Mixing department. They were there to observe processes and talk with teammates about standards.

“This was a pilot program,” explained Plant Manager “We wanted to get some brand new sets of eyes on Greg Halford. “We know there are gaps, areas all over the the scene—not to criticize, but to ask questions with plant where we don’t have standards. Things are done the goal of helping teammates in their daily tasks and a certain way, and the knowledge is passed on from responsibilities,” said Halford. Team members asked these teammate to teammate, but not documented. The experts kinds of questions: “What work-arounds do you have to are the ones on the floor, but when you work in a certain do to do your job right? Is there a way to improve the area, you get used to it. You don’t notice things anymore, hand-off of certain processes between shifts? and it becomes routine. So we decided to get a different What things need to be fixed in order for you to perspective on how things are run, and how they can be do your job better?” It was an intense made better.” but very productive exercise. Enter the GEMBA (on-site evaluation)-KY (hazard The end-of-week report-out to the recognition) team: one manager and three clock card Mixing management team and plant “We wanted to get teammates who have never worked in Mixing—two leadership lasted about 90 minutes. from Curing and one from Calendars/Extrusion with Two long-time teammates – some brand new sets Stock Cutting experience. They spent several days with Training Coordinators who served on of eyes on the scene— teammates, observing and asking questions. the team – had positive things to say not to criticize, but “We wanted to start with Mixing,” Halford said. “It’s a big about their experience. According to area. It has the most equipment in the whole plant—the Emily Brannon, “I had never spent to ask questions with Banburies, festoons—and all the other things they work much time in Mixing, so being in the the goal of helping with: Carbon black, pigments, multiple batch formulas, department for the week gave me a milling, the cement room. greater understanding of the process. teammates in their We found many opportunities for There are multiple housekeeping issues. So it’s a improvement, so I hope that my daily tasks and complex area. The team was there to do standard co-workers up there see some positive responsibilities.” analysis, 3S/5S analysis, and process analysis.” results from the work we did during the week.” Greg Halford

12 Fall 2016 Mike Maertens concurred: “I’ve always worked in Curing, never in the North end. It was an eye-opener for me to get exposure to a different department, how they operate their machines and do their jobs. I was very impressed with the communication and how we were received, and the information we were given by the teammates. I hope something comes for the good out of this. We were there to find standards gaps and to make future standards go better on the job.” Emily Brannon and Mike Maertens with Dave Lasche, Final Banburies Alissa Russelburg, Manager of Training, Education, and Organizational Development, also took part in the week- long assignment. “It was exciting to be a part of this process. Our team does a lot of work creating and training to standards. This experience helped us identify great opportunities in this area. I also believe involving people closest to the work is imperative to change. I was so impressed by the knowledge and willingness to share of each teammate that we spoke with.” Operations Manager Andy Minor added, “The intent of sending this group to Mixing was to put a fresh set of eyes in the area and document items that need addressed for current or future working standards, and to take a deeper look into the process. This should also help those training coordinators look for other items that could be addressed inside their own areas, items we currently don’t address or other hazards our teams could be missing. Thanks to the group that spent their time up in Mixing and to the teammates up there who provided feedback for us.” Halford was pleased with the results. “There’s a real excitement that’s been generated as a result of this. We want to expand the program with a different set of clock card teammates,” he said. “So many teammates Mike Maertens and (Brian) Smiley Kent with Miriam Thompson at the 72 Festoon have worked in their area, and have no idea what goes on outside of it. We’d like some of them to see where their customer is and what the impact of their work has on that customer. Take the Tubers, for example. They book the treads on 7 Tuber and the drivers take the “I had never spent much time in Mixing, so being in the department booking trays to the TAMs. The teammate in Tubers can for the week gave me a greater understanding of the process. We gain benefit from seeing where those treads go next in the found many opportunities for improvement, so I hope that my co- process, and knowing that his work is valued and part of workers up there see some positive results from the work we did something larger.” during the week.” Minor indicated this will be a long-term project. "The amount of items needing addressed in Mixing will Emily Brannon, Training Coordinator take some time and resources. We need to address the concerns, provide feedback, and verify those items have “I’ve always worked in Curing, never in the North end. It was an eye- been corrected. I believe it will be beneficial to promote opener for me to get exposure to a different department, how they and continue this in other areas of the facility after the operate their machines, and do their jobs. I was very impressed with Mixing concerns have been addressed." the communication and how we were received, and the information (Brian) Smiley Kent from Curing gained insight from being we were given by the teammates. I hope something comes for the good a part of the team. “It was interesting, since I have never out of this, we were there to find standards gaps and to make future worked up there. It was an opportunity to see other parts standards go better on the job.” of the plant run. If others ever get an opportunity to do Mike Maertens, Training Coordinator something like this, take it.” “It was interesting, since I have never worked up there. It was an opportunity to see other parts of the plant run. If others ever get an opportunity to do something like this, take it.” (Brian) Smiley Kent, Curing

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 13 CROSSING THE FINISH LINE & CROSSING ONE OFF THE BUCKET LIST This year was my first RAGBRAI. I have been riding on short, spontaneous rides since 2007. Through the years, I have had several friends and family members who rode a day or two of RAGBRAI and raved about the fun ride, and this encouraged me to put RAGBRAI at the top of my bucket list.

This year my husband and I rode together in a team from Trailside HOW FAR AND HOW FAST? RAGBRAI 2016 Tactical out of Madrid, IA. There were a total of 10 team members, four full-time riders, and six riders who did partial days. Three members were DAY 1 - 49.7 MILES I 2,614 FEET OF CLIMB I 12.9 AVERAGE SPEED retired from Firestone: Ron Belieu, Kirk Vermie, and Rick Coffman, plus DAY 2 - 75.2 MILES I 3,994 FEET OF CLIMB I 11.5 AVERAGE SPEED the son of a retired Firestone teammate, Dirk Ringgenberg. These four DAY 3 - 58.5 MILES I 3,318 FEET OF CLIMB I 12.6 AVERAGE SPEED people stood out as my lead encouragement at the end of each day, DAY 4 - 65.1 MILES I 2,708 FEET OF CLIMB I 14.9 AVERAGE SPEED supporting me when I had doubts that I could carry on the next day. DAY 5 - 51.6 MILES I 1,999 FEET OF CLIMB 13.6 I AVERAGE SPEED Did I train? Well, in January when I decided that I was in fact going to DAY 6 - 68.5 MILES I 2,541 FEET OF CLIMB I 14.0 AVERAGE SPEED participate in my first RAGBRAI, I started training. I began indoors on a DAY 7 - 49.7 MILES I 1,314 FEET OF CLIMB I 13.0 AVERAGE SPEED liquid flow trainer so that I could ride my regular bike. On the days that the temperature reached above 45, I went outside to ride. Prior to July Was it hard? The first few days were nothing but hills! Who said Iowa 24th (the first day of RAGBRAI), I logged approximately 1200 miles. My was flat?! We camped in tents, so sleeping was not easy in the heat. Our husband and I did a few weekends of hill climbing to prepare for the team had some of the first riders out each day. Every morning, we were rides. We visited Decorah as well as the Root River Trail in , up by 5:00am and took down tents, loaded our camper, filled water riding through Harmony to Lanesboro and back—very hilly. On hill bottles, and were in the saddle by 6:00am. At first, I thought this was practice I used a Giant Anyroad Cross bike fully loaded with bags for the too early to hit the road, but to see the sun come over the horizon was extra weight. For the Actual RAGBRAI, I used a Scott CR1. an amazing sight each morning as the daily scenery changed. Typically, we made it to our overnight town by 2:00pm each day, which gave us plenty of time to relax and prepare for the next day’s ride. My favorite part of the experience was the people! There are no age limits, no size limits. People from all over the world joined in! Lance Armstrong and two of his NASCAR buddies even joined the fun. The people of each town welcomed everyone with open arms, inviting us to enjoy their city. I had the opportunity to ride/sit on a rodeo bull, visit the Villisca Axe murder house, Ride across the dam at Lake Rathburn at daybreak (beautiful), and had many more experiences I may have never taken the time to without participating in RAGBRAI. As I crossed the finish line in Muscatine on the final day, I was unsure if I felt elated or wanted to cry. I had finished! Every day, every mile. Would I do it again? YES! RAGBRAI is an experience of a lifetime. Teresa Belieu

14 Fall 2016 Progress ALWAYS A Farm Progress Show Tradition

On any other day, Boone, Iowa is a quiet community, but on August 30 through September 1, the town erupted yet again to host the world’s largest outdoor farm event: The 2016 Farm Progress Show. It returned from last year’s location of Decatur, , which it alternates with every other year. Impressive machinery took to the fields daily to demo corn harvesting and tillage applications, while almost 600 vendors shared everything from crop protection products to the newest ag tech innovations. Bridgestone Americas is one such vendor and we pulled out all the bells and whistles to attract visitors from the estimated 200,000 to 250,000 in attendance over the course of the three days into our spacious, 20,000 square foot booth. CONTINUE>>

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 15 THREE GENERATIONS: The Firestone booth was the first stop for Des Moines teammates Rod Rouw (Dept. 831), his son Jared Rouw (Dept. 793), and Rod's father, Verlan Rouw (retired, Dept. 831).

RIGHT OUT FRONT Bridgestone 101

Stationed on prime real estate near the main entrance, a stop into the The Farm Progress Show is, yes, a time to gather information and tools Firestone AG booth was an adventure through the Harvest, Education, needed for farming operations, and it’s also a time to get in some and Tire and Tracks sections. Visitors could then stop by the Implement interesting training lessons. Executive Director of Bridgestone’s Global area before heading over to the Technology space. Agricultural Solutions, Tom Rodgers, said the education piece of the A variety of Firestone tires were on display, so the farmer can envision trade show plays a large part in the company’s showing. how their tractor, grain cart, or other equipment would look with new “What you get are farmers who are really interested in learning more tires. All the tires, stands, and displays on the lot were brought in on about tires and how tires can improve their operation,” Rodgers said. three semi trucks and unloaded with a large telescopic handler to move Visitors could take a load off in the chairs set up in the Bridgestone everything around and set it just so—they’re too big for forklifts! presentation area as the “professor,” AKA Global Field Engineering “We borrow or rent everything from an equipment or implement dealer Manager, Wayne Birkenholz, gave three 30-minute presentations each day or Original Equipment (OE) manufacturer,” explained Field Engineer of the show. The lessons ranged in subject from the benefits of Firestone Brad Harris. “We’re working with Iowa State on some research projects tires, to new products, to how compaction and traction impact the and borrowed the big John Deere tractor from them.” BOSS’s operation. Classroom Training Manager David Ashby added, “All of the tires we use “Right now, their biggest concern is with soil compaction,” Birkenholz on display here come from the marketing cage at the Global Warehouse said. “We’re emphasizing our Advanced Defection Design (AD2) which in Ankeny. Everything on the tractors, the sprayers, the farm implements allows us to carry more load at the same inflation pressure, or the same and the harvest equipment—most of them [the tires] are manufactured load at a reduced pressure.” right at the Des Moines plant, but some are from other locations like Rodgers added that there is also a lot of education around prevention of LaVergne and Warren County, Tennessee...even Costa Rica.” stubble damage. Teachings included how to not drive on the rows and “People see the equipment and think we know all about it, but we go cross-row, as well as different devices that can be placed on tractors don’t. We just have it here because our tires are on it, so then we have to and other equipment to minimize stubble impact. direct them to the manufacturer,” Harris added with a smile. As if the giant equipment isn’t enough, the free swag is an excellent draw; this year the Firestone-branded bags, mini-calculators, and hats All About the BOSS were a big hit and could be spotted throughout the grounds. Ashby made it clear that the focus at the Farm Progress Show is the BOSS—the farmers, the growers, the ranchers, and then the tire dealers and equipment manufacturers—and what they need and want to know.

16 Fall 2016 “Anytime we get new equipment, we request Firestones. They’re really good. We used to have a lot of Goodyears, but the sidewalls wouldn’t last, they’d split out. That 23-degree tread, the R1-W...

we love those.” FUTURE BOSSES: Four Newton High FFA students paid a visit to the Farmer Kevin Smith Firestone booth. L to R: Kameron Johnston, Kaiah McNeeley, Courtney Yoakum, and Maddy Brown. Courtney’s dad is Lynn Yoakum, Dept. 169.

“Right now, our emphasis is on the AD2 technology—how to get the Rodgers said that in conversations with the BOSS, they like to talk about whole farm on AD2. Soil compaction restricts root development, and finding solutions to the large problems they face. robs crop yield; AD2 is a larger footprint, reduced impaction, and that “Stubble damage is the number one complaint in the farm world today. means more yield,” Ashby said. Genetics of today’s crops—corn and soybean plants—are making the The Farm Progress Show exemplifies how farming is truly a family affair, stalks more durable and harder because standability of the crop is more just as roughly 90% of the farms are family-owned and/or family-run. important on the farm. The problem we face is after the harvest when “This is their one chance to see and touch everything they’re looking the two- to five-inch stalk is left,” Rodgers said. for—not looking in a catalog or at a brochure,” Rodgers said. “It’s a time He went on to explain that stubble erosion pecks away at the tire, and to see a tread pattern or talk about a technology...and talk about how cords eventually become exposed, which can cause air loss. Or you get the footprint of a tire with AD2 technology is larger in size than that of a a stubble puncture, where the stubble is actually strong enough to go standard radial, for example.” through the tire. Brad Harris, Field Engineer, has been with Bridgestone for 13 years, The Bridgestone Farm Progress Show booth is a place where customer making him an expert at FPS to offer direct engineering support and satisfaction means farmers sharing why they use Bridgestone products answer questions about operational problems. and will continue to do so...like Kevin Smith who farms 5,000 acres “This year, they’re asking questions about what new technologies they south of Knoxville, Iowa. can implement on their farm operations,” Harris said. “Anytime we get new equipment, we request Firestones,” Smith said. “They’re really good. We used to have a lot of Goodyears, but the sidewalls wouldn’t last, they’d split out. That 23-degree tread, the R1-W... Customer Satisfaction is we love those.” the Standard Standing nearby, John Messer and his brother Scott farm 13,000 acres near Dysart, Iowa, and concurred with Smith. The Farm Progress Show is a cross-company effort as staff working the “We like Firestones,” John said. “They’ve done well for us. They last well full days are comprised of leadership from the Sales division, the entire and have good traction. Our Deere dealer likes them.” marketing team, all the OE sales reps and Field Engineers, as well as the Midwest Regional Sales Managers, engineers from Akron, and the Harris heard similar things in his discussions with the BOSS: Global Solutions team. These Bridgestone teammates are tasked with “They’ll say things like, ‘We really like your product, it’s the only product the challenge and the privilege to offer exceptional, quality customer I run on my farm, thank you for making such a great product.’” service and be that first point of contact within the sales process by answering questions about products and potential. The team also collects attendees’ opinions in an electronic survey which is then analyzed to inform future company strategies and decisions.

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 17 Getting Ready for the Survey

Jillian Havran 2015/2016 Survey Champion

Beginning September 26, the plant will once again be taking the Premier Place to Work (PPTW) Survey. All teammates will have the opportunity to complete the survey during their scheduled shift, either in the BAAGU Learning Center (formerly the credit union location) or at a computer station near their work area.

The five statements from the survey that we have been working to improve over the last year, along with the improvement actions we have taken, include:

Survey Statement Improvement Activity

Management keeps me informed Monthly Department Meetings about important issues and Standardized a schedule and agenda and implemented monitoring checks to verify they changes. are happening as expected.

Management recognizes honest mistakes as part of doing business. Yellow Belt Lite Management genuinely seeks to Established a definition of ‘honest mistake’ focused on following standards and implemented respond to suggestions and ideas. a process for reporting when standards can’t be followed or when teammates have ideas for making standards better. Management involves people in decisions that affect their jobs or work environments.

Management shows appreciation RTM Reward & Recognition Program for good work and extra effort. Teammates who enter an RTM for an improvement idea that is implemented are rewarded and recognized per the guidelines of this new program. **COMING SOON**

Here are a few items to keep in mind as you prepare to provide your feedback.

1. Be honest – about the bad and the good. Culture change is a 3. Tell us about YOUR manager/supervisor. Similar to #2, everyone marathon, not a sprint. To that end, we know there are still many will have the opportunity to share their experience about their opportunities to improve ahead of us. Your honest feedback is manager/supervisor. If your manager demonstrates the behavior crucial to helping us understand where we are in the journey. in the statement you’re reading, indicate “agree.” That will help the Considerable work has been done to address the feedback we’ve team’s action planning following the survey to key in to our biggest received. If some things are better (even if they’re not great – yet), opportunities faster. tell us where we’re better with an “Agree” on those statements. 4. Tell us where we are NOW. I’ve talked with enough teammates 2. Share YOUR experience. Everyone has the opportunity to and listened to their stories of challenges and struggles over the take this survey, so please provide feedback based on your own course of their long careers here to know that we have a long way experiences and not what you believe to be the experiences of to go to be a “premier place to work.” At the same time, I’ve heard someone else. If a statement has been true for you, but you think it teammates comment that while we’re not yet where we need to isn’t for others on your team or in other departments, put “agree” be, we’re better than where we were. If that’s your experience, put because that’s your experience. Others can indicate “disagree” if that “agree” on those statements that truly have gotten better. really is their experience.

This survey is your opportunity to make your voice heard and to shape the direction we move in the next 18 months. Please participate and help us continue to make this a better place to work for everyone!

18 Fall 2016 OUR GL BAL SLOGAN Work Towards Our Goal of “DAN-TOTSU” Through Effective Communication, Teamwork, & a Sense of Ownership.

Group CEO/Group COO

Facts & Figures SALES AND MARKETING UPDATE Farm Progress Show Firestone Ag tires used for Olympic Training

The Farm Progress Show, the nation's largest outdoor farm event, took As a Worldwide Olympic Partner, Bridgestone is always looking for place August 30 through September 1, 2016, in Boone, Iowa. Firestone ways that our products and technology can contribute to the Olympic was a major exhibitor showcasing our full product line of tires and tracks. Movement and support its athletes. When we learned that the Olympic The show is an excellent learning opportunity for producers and Training Center uses tires in its strength training programs, we sent includes a wide variety of marketing, management, and production Firestone agricultural tires for our U.S. Olympic hopefuls to use on the seminars. Firestone Ag conducted education sessions each day on Road to Rio. compaction management and the advantages of using AD2 technology for soil compaction issues. Pricing Update

Effective August 1, 2016, Firestone Ag (FSAG) will be implementing pricing changes on agricultural tires in the US and Canada. These changes include both price increases and decreases, and are driven by a number of factors: 1. The need to address discrepancies in our value pricing structure driven by changing market conditions over the last three years; and 2. Increased cost pressures, including: Rising raw materials and manufacturing costs; new programs to enhance sales to farmer and dealer profitability, including the Certified Associate Dealer program enhancements and new farmer/end user coupons; investments to provide better service to the farmer – for example, the out of cycle shipments program, which has been extended through December 2016. We are increasing prices on approximately 50% of Firestone Ag tires, and we expect the weighted average of all pricing changes to result in total portfolio increase of between 3% and 5%.

Stay up to date and share your own content on BAAG.com 19 language?) Thenwegotsomegreatinsights onwork-lifebalance,anddiscoveredtheanswersto body tothestomachaid with digestion. culprit. Bloodisdivertedfrom thebrainandotherpartsof Eating turkeymakesyoudrowsy. from oneanother(areyouanonlychild? Haveyoueveractedinaplay?Dospeakforeign After adeliciouscateredlunch,weplayed PeopleBingoandlearnedsomeinterestingthings Stay tuned toplantcommunications tolearnmore about Your BAAG? from theUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosse. the BAAG! All-Plant meetingroomfor On June16,over70teammatesgatheredinthe our next What’s inYour BAAG?event. What’s In FALSE some commonhealthandwellnessmyths: . Thebigmealisthe , facilitatedbyDr. BrianUdermann

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Recap! PERMIT NO. 3174 DES MOINES,IA U.S. POSTAGE PRSRT STD PAID