Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Springfield, Mass.-based Peter Pan Bus Lines celebrated the 75th anniversary of their leasing partnership.

Six years after starting Peter Pan Bus Lines, Peter C. Picknelly reached an agreement with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. to lease Firestone tires for a period of one year. Seventy-five years later, the two companies have continued a relationship, which has prevailed throughout the evolution of the two companies, guided by quality products and supreme customer service, according to Bridgestone.

“The lease contracts industry is intense, competition to deliver best product, cost per mile and service is unrelenting,” said Jim Hardin, mileage sales field manager, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.

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Under the initial contract between Harvey Firestone and Peter Picknelly, Firestone agreed to supply tires to equip three, 10 passenger Chevrolet and five, 19 passenger Beck buses on a cost-per-mile basis. Through the years, tire sizes grew, along with bigger and heavier buses, to include the first Firestone whitewall tubeless bus tires, which were discontinued in the 1970’s.

The original tire lease contract signed in 1939 was given to the Picknelly family by Bridgestone.