INDIANAPOLIS (USA) (April 28, 2009) — Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC, expanded its global air springs operations with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Turrialba, Costa Rica.

The grand opening celebration was held on April 28. Company officials were joined by the President of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Aria Sanchez, to commemorate the new plant. The 11,500 square meter (approx. 123,785 square foot) facility manufactures Airide™ air springs and Marsh Mellow™ springs, used in vehicular and industrial applications.

“We continue to see opportunities in emerging markets to develop and grow our air springs business internationally,” said Mike Cerio, president of Firestone Industrial Products. “Our new facility in Costa Rica represents an excellent opportunity to better support these emerging international markets in a cost-effective manner.”

The new Firestone Industrial Products facility will provide more than 100 jobs to the area. The Costa Rican plant joins six other Firestone Industrial Products air spring manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the world.

Firestone Industrial Products de Costa Rica S.A. is the second Bridgestone Americas, Inc. plant to be established in Costa Rica. Since 1967, Bridgestone de Costa Rica, S.A., has manufactured passenger, light truck, truck and bus tires in La Ribera de Belen.

Airide air springs are designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle suspension applications. The product line includes air helper springs and primary trailer, lift axle, drive axle, front axle, cab mount and seat air springs. Airide springs require little or no maintenance, increase driver comfort and provide outstanding cargo protection.

Marsh Mellow springs are fabric-reinforced rubber cylinders that are used in industrial applications and in construction vehicles, such as dump trucks. The springs offer a high load carrying capacity and are low-maintenance, durable, and corrosion-resistant.

About Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC:

Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Firestone Diversified Products, LLC, specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 70 years of research and development on technologically advanced air springs. Its famous Airide™ brand has set the standard for air spring manufacturing and technology since 1939. For more information, visit www.firestoneip.com.