What is First Stop?
First Stop is a loyalty program created for independent tyre retailers by Bridgestone - the largest tyre and rubber manufacturer in the world.

Since its foundation in 1994, the First Stop network has continued its steady expansion.

The tyre and car service network now consists today of over 1,700 partners in 23 European countries. In the UK, we have over 160 members and we’re still looking for new recruits.

Our strategy
First Stop is a major strategic partner for Bridgestone in Europe. Although the network is part-owned by Bridgestone, the majority of the outlets are owned by the experienced independent tyre dealers. By combining our skills we hope to strengthen the network and offer the highest levels of customer service in the industry.

You benefit by having the support of the largest tyre and rubber manufacturer in the world. We benefit by harnessing the entrepreneurial skills of a successful business.

Benefits of joining

Independence: You remain in full control of your business.
Support: You will have the support of Bridgestone - the largest tyre and rubber manufacturer in the world.
Business Development Manager: Your assigned BDM will help increase the profitability of your firm and make sure you get the maximum benefit from the program. Click here to see the BDM territory map.
Price: You will benefit from preferential buying terms for all our famous tyre brands: Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and First Stop.
Exclusive tyre brand: You will be allowed to purchase the exclusive First Stop branded tyre.

A&P fund: You will be able to accrue an Advertising & Promotional fund against your tyre purchases.

Internet presence: Your depot will be added to the Dealer Locator on the First Stop public website www.firststop.com.
Press agency: You can maximise the publicity from any events or stories, relating to your business, by using our press agency.
Free First Stop clothing: You will be able to claim £96 of First Stop branded clothing, equivalent to 8 pairs of overalls, from our subsidised range (see Clothing & POS section below).
Free First Stop sign: You get a First Stop sign fitted to your outlet.

The benefits below represent the major sections of this website. To discover more detailed information simply click the appropriate title:

	Marketing Services: You can call upon the expertise of Pineapple Publishing - our exclusive marketing agency. They can produce anything you might need to promote your business: Yellow pages, press ads, mail shots, leaflets, stationary, give-aways, websites etc… and all at extremely reasonable prices.
	Market Link: You will have the option to subscribe to Market Link, our cutting edge direct marketing tool. After uploading your customer database you will be able to: automatically send text or e-mail appointment reminders, organise mail shot campaigns at the click of a button and access your appointment book on-line. Furthermore, by plotting you customer base on a map you can identify new opportunities, or measure the effectiveness of your local advertising campaign. Market Link will help you stay one step ahead of the competition.
	Clothing & POS: You can kit out your workforce inexpensively and smartly with our subsidised range of First Stop clothing. There is everything you might need, from polo shirts to overalls, and sweatshirts to caps. We also have a full range of free POS material to decorate your depot.  You will find pressure charts, driver safety posters, run-flat posters, picture frames and much, much more. Moreover, all these items can be ordered using the on-line ordering form.
	Promotions: You will benefit from our national and local campaigns. Our subsidised F1 road shows have helped many First Stop dealers gain new customers in their local area. The “Think before you drive” campaign, in association with FIA, received both national and international press attention for the First Stop network.
	Knowledge Base: You will be able to find the answers to a full range of technical questions in this section. At present this section is under construction but we would welcome any tyre related questions you might like answering.
	Quality Program: You can get your outlet independently accredited and win a range prizes. The Quality Program forms a cornerstone of the First Stop ethos, because it is used to improve the standard of customer service across the whole network. To maintain transparency, the data is collect by an external mystery shopping agency. It’s completely up to you whether you decided to enter the Quality Program, but many mangers how found this information invaluable for improving their business.
	Investment Program: You will have the chance to benefit from the Investment Program. The Investment Program takes place during most years and is our opportunity to reward the most committed partners. In previous years we have used the results from the Quality Program to determine the successful candidates. The awards vary in size from new signage, to a new reception area. In all circumstances, however, our goal is to improve the customer experience.
	Model Store: You will be able to implement the First Stop Model Store concept at your depot. The Model Store concept represents a new approach to tyre sales. Its customer-friendly architecture aims to satisfy the changing needs of the modern motorist.
	Training Program: Your staff will be able to benefit from our training expertise. We offer a full range of technical and customer facing courses for all your training needs. From Roadside Breakdown courses, to Customer Care training, we’ve got something for everyone.
	Diversified Products: You can take advantage of all the exclusive deals we have negotiated with our preferred suppliers. The size of our network means we have a greater bargaining power than an individual outlet. We continue to organise deals on all manner of products such as: batteries, brakes, insurance, mystery shopping, training etc.
	Downloads: You will be able to download all sorts of useful information from this section. Items include: databooks, OE fitment guides, newsletters, logos, tyre images etc.
We hope you found this summary useful. If you need any further information our BDMs will be happy to help. Click here for contact details.

Who are Bridgestone?
The Bridgestone Corporation, with its head office in Tokyo, are the world's largest manufacturer of tyres and other rubber products. Tyres account for 80% of the Bridgestone Group's world-wide turnover. Our famous tyre brands include: Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and First Stop.

The company also manufactures industrial rubber products and chemicals, sports equipment and various other products. Tyres and other products are sold in more than 150 countries. Bridgestone is also a keen competitor in motor sport, providing tyres for: Formula 1, Indy Car, GP2, Moto GP and Champ Car to name but a few.

Bridgestone have achieved phenomenal success in Formula 1 since entering the arena in 1997. The Bridgestone-McLaren combination quickly gained F1 supremacy with the Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles won in 1998. When Goodyear pulled out in 1999, Bridgestone became the sole supplier - a position it had never dreamed of. It lasted two years until the return of Michelin when the tyre development battle was resumed.

Bridgestone's domination continued with Ferrari, winning six successive Manufacturers' titles between 1999-2004 and five Drivers' titles in succession with Michael Schumacher. The German had begun his career in karts on Bridgestone tyres, perhaps destiny was at work. Michelin left Formula 1 at the end of the 2006 season, so Bridgestone is once again proud to be the sole tyre supplier to Formula 1.