Bridgestone to expand its Wilson Passenger tyre plant
Bridgestone Americas Tyre Operations (Bridgestone) has announced that it is expanding the company’s Wilson, North Carolina passenger tyre facility as part of a five-year, $164 million investment to meet market demands and invest in newer, more efficient technology. The multi-phase expansion of the 42-year-old, nationally recognised facility, which is one of the company’s most environmentally sustainable plants, is expected to break ground in early 2016, and will improve the plant’s global competitive position by installing leading edge technology, expanding production capacity and lowering costs.
The investment is part of the company’s global commitment to develop innovative new products that meet growing and evolving market demand, and will improve the Wilsonplant’s global competitive position by adding capacity and more technologically advanced equipment. Phases one and two, which will total nearly $100 million, will focus on the addition of 167,000 sq ft of manufacturing space to accommodate new tyre assembly machines, materials handling systems, curing presses and associated equipment to increase plant capacity by 3,000 tyres per day, bringing daily production to 35,000 by 2018. The new equipment also will allow the plant to respond to the increase in global demand for higher rim size tyres, as well as improve quality and productivity while reducing costs.
“Our production and manufacturing capabilities must evolve with our products to meet the changing needs of today ’s consumers,” said Michael Darr, Plant Manager, Wilson plant. “Our investment in updated equipment and improved manufacturing processes and facilities reflects our focus on maintaining our global competitiveness.”
The Wilson plant has been a leader in tyre manufacturing innovation during its 42- year history, and currently manufactures 32,000 passenger tyres a day. It was the first Bridgestone tyre manufacturing facility to produce run-flat tyres, and in 2016, will begin producing the company’s DriveGuard tyres, the first full line of premium, all season replacement tyres engineered to go up to 50 miles to safety after a puncture.