Communication is a key element in the relationship that Bridgestone Costa Rica maintains with its stakeholders. This connection is simpler if the available spaces to disseminate relevant information facilitate dialogue, and direct opinion exchanges are used.

Bridgestone Costa Rica makes different communication channels available so that stakeholders contact the company. These are also made ready to receive complaints, disagreements and reports, complying with Conflict Management company ́s procedure.

The following is a detailed description of the different channels of communication:

• Social media networks: An essential medium in these communication efforts, as they allow Bridgestone Costa Rica to ask customers what they want and need, as well as their perception of the brand. In 2017, Bridgestone’s interaction with its customers on these platforms allowed it to establish contact with 73,072 followers in Facebook.

• Corporate website: The Bridgestone Costa Rica website has a chat option for quick and easy interaction with Bridgestone consultants to answer their questions or resolve a given situation. It also allows users to send questions that are answered via email and provides all of the company’s contact information. The website also allows users to learn more about the organization, its products, promotions, communication channels, and sustainability initiatives.

• Toll-free phone number: Bridgestone Costa Rica offers stakeholders the option to call this phone line Monday through Saturday, to obtain answers to their company-related questions.

• Email: It is publicly available for any query on Bridgestone_CostaRica@la- bridgestone.com

• Confidential line for complaints about ethics (0800 011-1100): An exclusive line for ethical affairs and/or complaints related to ethics.

Bridgestone Costa Rica considers itself a driver of free competition and healthy development of the industry in the country. Consistent with its philosophy, it participates in events and initiatives that promote these objectives, joining alliances and collaborations that favor more efficient and accurate contributions.

In 2017, the company worked alongside the following organizations:

• High Technology Services Companies’ Chamber (CAMSCAT).

• Costa Rica Chamber of Industry (CICR).

• Costa Rican-North American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).

• Cámara Costarricense-Norteamericana de Comercio (AMCHAM).

• Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce.

• Ecological Foundation for Recycling of Rubber and Waste Tires (Fundellantas).

• Association of Tire Dealers and Retreaders (ACOLLRE).

• Costa Rica Chamber of Exporters (CADEXCO).

• Costa Rican Association of Free Trade Zone Companies (AZOFRAS).

Bridgestone Costa Rica believes that it is essential to collaborate with these organizations and collaborate with them by joining their work committees, exchanging best practices, and engaging in open dialogue to stay abreast of the most relevant legislative changes that could affect the business.

The hard work and collaborating with these organizations has allowed Bridgestone Costa Rica to excel and obtain several important awards for the company, including:

CADEXCO Exporter Grand Prize Award

Bridgestone Costa Rica received the 2017 Exporter Grand Prize Award, the highest recognition granted by the Costa Rican Chamber of Exporters (CADEXCO). The main factors considered when granting this award include the company’s export volumes, the markets it serves, certifications, environmental management, corporate social responsibility, and the work environment.

Bridgestone Costa Rica won this award thanks to its strong focus on quality and continuous improvement. The company has more than a dozen certifications that guarantee the quality of its products, the efficiency of its processes, balanced manufacturing costs, and best practices across all departments.

Excellence Awards from the Chamber of Industry

These awards are based on an excellence model that includes business practices in seven management areas, including leadership and strategic planning, customer and market focus, emphasis on human talent, processes, innovation and technology, the environment, and corporate social responsibility.

In 2017, Bridgestone Costa Rica won three prizes in the Process category for the following projects:

• Cost reduction obtained through the Yellow Belt methodology.

• Reduction on the rework of original equipment tires.

• Lower waste rates generated by the RQ014 paint used in the rework department.

Fundellantas Partnership

Every year, Bridgestone Costa Rica continues its collaboration with the non-profit organization Fundellantas. The projects jointly implemented through this partnership focus on allocating resources to the collection of used tires and working to implement adequate and sustainable processes for the final disposal of waste tires.

Bridgestone is a founding partner of Fundellantas. Several Bridgestone dealers are Fundellantas members, which implies that they negotiate with the organization to ensure that all waste tires are disposed of in a socially responsible manner.