Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is expanding the company’s Wilson, North Carolina passenger tyre manufacturing facility as part of a five-year, US$164 million investment to meet market demands and invest in newer, more efficient technology.
The multi-phase expansion of the 42-year-old, nationally recognized 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.
Phases one and two, which will total nearly US$100 million, will focus on the addition of 167,000 square feet 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, as well as our commitment to the Wilson community.”