In line with its restructuring plan, tyre maker Bridgestone Corporation says that it will consolidate its plants for automotive seat pads in Japan, which are now manufactured in four plants owned by its group companies, out of which three plants are owned by Bridgestone Chemitech Co. Ltd (BSCT), and one plant owned by Bridgestone Diversified Chemical Products Co Ltd (BDCP). It will close the BSCT plant in Ageo, Saitama Prefecture, in the fourth quarter of 2023 and consolidate operations within the three remaining facilities for automotive seat pad production – BSCT’s Nabari and Hofu sites as well as BDCP’s Tosu plant.
The initiative is a part of the company’s global expense and cost structure review established in the Mid Term Business Plan (2021-2023), announced in February. The plan aims to strengthen Bridgestone’s business portfolio management, allowing the company to adapt quickly to changing business conditions, while rebuilding the company’s earning power of its core business through expense and cost structure reformation and enforcing the premium business strategy as a basis, and enhancing strategic growth investments, it adds.
Thus, the production of automotive seat pads will be consolidated at three plants: BSCT Nabari, Hofu and BDCP Tosu plants. It has discussed and implemented its restructuring of diversified products business based on Mid Term Business Plan (2021-2023).
The company adds it has thoroughly evaluated the future of automotive seat pads business and determined the consolidation of plants will contribute to the reinforcement of the business structure.
Bridgestone says it is also working closely with customers, suppliers, and the communities in the region to minimise the impact in the community, as much as possible.