US tyre maker Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has revealed plans for a significant expansion of its Lawton, Oklahoma plant in the US, which is the largest tyre factory in its global network. The expansion aims to increase the plant’s production capacity by nearly 30%, adding 10 million units/year capacity for premium tyres.
The company adds that the project is part of a US$320 million, four-year investment designed to enhance the plant’s capabilities to meet the growing demand for larger rim-diameter tyres, which are higher-profit and higher-margin products. The expansion will focus on producing tyres for electric and autonomous vehicles, aligning with Goodyear’s strategic goals to cater to emerging automotive technologies.
The company’s expansion will be partly subsidised by the Comanche County Industrial Development Authority, which has approved a US$1 million loan to support the financing of this expansion. The Lawton plant, which currently employs 2,900 workers, will see its overall capacity boosted to nearly 120,000 units daily.
The latest expansion move follows a US$50 million investment at the plant between 2021 and 2023, which added 45,100 sq ft of factory space to house an advanced mixer. This mixer allows Goodyear to meet increasingly stringent performance requirements for tyres used in electric and autonomous vehicles, it adds.
The expansion is part of Goodyear’s multi-year master plan for the Lawton plant, aiming to enhance its competitiveness and adapt to evolving market conditions. The company has expressed its commitment to supporting the local community and its workforce during this transition period.