Bridgestone to build new earthmover tyre plant

BRIDGESTONE Corp. are to construct a new manufacturing plant in Kitakyushu, Japan, in response to the growing global demand for large and ultra-large radial tyres for mining and construction vehicles.

The Tokyo-based company also plan to increase the production of steel cord for earthmover tyres at their existing Saga plant in order to support the new facility. Approximately Yen32 billion has been earmarked for both projects.

Bridgestone had earlier announced their intention to boost production at their Shimonoseki plant –– currently the only Bridgestone Group plant producing ultra-large radials –– by the start of 2008. The decision to build the new production facility in addition to the Shimonoseki expansion was based on projections of continued growth in demand.

Construction of the new 20ha plant at Kitakyusu will begin in the second half of this year, with tyre production expected to get under way in the second half of 2009. Production capacity is projected to reach around 30 tons of new rubber a day by the second half of 2010.

Combined with the production capacity increase at Shimonoseki, the aggregate production capacity of Bridgestone’s large and ultra-large earthmover tyres is projected to increase by 40%, relative to current levels, by the second half of 2010.