Firestone Industrial Products on Monday, Jan. 31, announced an average price increase of 5 percent on its North American light-duty and heavy-duty air spring products. The company says the increase, effect April 1, is driven by the escalating costs of raw materials – specifically the rise in the cost of natural rubber.
“We are committed to managing our product pricing through strategic programs and efficiency improvements internally,” says John Vincent, president of Indianapolis-based Firestone Industrial Products. “However, at this time, we’re unable to offset rising market costs.”
The company also recently named Albino Pinto as director of its facility in São Paulo, Brazil. Pinto succeeds Acacio Santos, who is retiring after serving with Bridgestone Americas since 1973. The Brazil facility manufactures Airide air springs for trucks, trailers, commercial buses, rail cars and mass-transit vehicles.
“Albino’s industry knowledge and extensive work experience are ideal for this position,” Vincent says. “With his leadership, we will continue to provide the global air springs market with a superior product.”
Pinto began his career 31 years ago in billing at Bridgestone de Brasil (BSBR). Since then, he has held a number of roles within the company, including senior financial operations analyst, financial operations supervisor and export manager at the Brazilian tire division. From 1999 to 2002, Pinto served as operations manager and controller for Bridgestone Latin America at the facility in Nashville, Tenn. In 2002, he returned to Brazil and most recently became export/import and bid sales manager at BSBR.
