Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone Corporation says it has decided to make an investment in its Nasu plant, Japan, in order to expand the capacity for motorcycle tyres. The total investment amount is approximately 1.7 billion Japanese yen (US$12 million). It will be gradually expanding from 2026, planning the annual production capacity of premium motorcycle tyres to increase by approximately 90,000 units.
Bridgestone says it has continuously supported premium motorcycles with its Battlax motorcycle tyre brand, and has refined technologies through participation at MotoGPTM from 2002 to 2015, while continuously supporting motor sports events such as the FIM World Endurance Championship. Bridgestone adds that it has supported 19 participating teams with its motorcycle tyres contributing to the achievement of the 15th straight victory of the team equipped with its tyres.
Moving forward, in order to further focus on and strengthen the area of premium racing tyres, the Nasu plant, which is Bridgestone’s global manufacturing footprint for motorcycle tyres, will introduce technologies fostered by experience of the firm’s motorsport activities while increasing its production capacity.
So far, Bridgestone has announced the installation of manufacturing equipment dedicated to tyres for mining and construction vehicles at the Shimonoseki Plant, and the expansion of production capacity dedicated to premium products for passenger cars at four plants in Tochigi, Hikone, Hofu, and Tosu, Japan.
By further expanding its production and supplying capability for premium motorcycle tyres, it says will accelerate sales of Battlax and a wide range of sustainable motorsports activities globally over 10-20 years, and beyond.
In related news, Bridgestone says that, as a hydraulic hose global supply base, it will expand the production capacity of hydraulic hoses at Bridgestone NCR Co., Ltd., a subsidiary manufacturing and selling industrial products in Thailand. A total investment is approximately 4.9 billion JPY (US$36 million). Production capacity will start to increase from 2nd quarter of 2025, and the production capacity expansions of hydraulic hoses are projected to result in an increase of approximately 30% of current capacity globally, within 1st quarter of 2026.
Bridgestone’s Mid Term Business Plan (2021-2023) had announced that it will restructuring the portfolio of its diversified products business to sharply focus on areas where it can leverage its core competencies. With regard to hose business, as a core business of its diversified products business, Bridgestone has various core competencies as follows.
• Dan-Totsu Products made through “Master forming hybrid polymer” technology which controls rubber materials and reinforcement materials
• Metal coupling sales necessary to secure the quality of hydraulic hoses and channel network which provides the crimping operation
• Broad business models such as the direct sales to construction/agricultural machine manufacturing customers, replacement hoses sales, and mobile truck service “not to stop the customers’ operation”
• Business development operated in Japan, China, Asia, Americas and Europe based on the manufacturing footprints in Japan, China, and Thailand
Hydraulic hoses are used in machines which are activated by hydraulic pressure, and required in various areas of industries including construction and mining. These industrial areas necessitate the machines with higher pressure and larger capacity recently, and the demand for this premium zone is growing.
Bridgestone provides Dan-Totsu Products having technical advantages, such as the balance of durability, flexibility and light weight by high efficiency reinforcement design, and the good product life by high durability rubber compound technology, and through expanding the supply of these premium products with technical superiority, Bridgestone says will further enhance the premium business strategy, and will strengthen profit structure with the basis of strong core competence through the expansion.