Bridgestone Boosts Production of Large Radial Tires

Mining and quarrying equipment are the main applications for Bridgestone's large and ultra-large tires.

August 4, 2005 — Bridgestone Corp., Tokyo, recently announced it will invest $150 million (US) in expansion projects at three of its plants in Shimonoseki, Saga, and Hofu, increasing production capacity for large and ultra-large radial tires used for mining and construction equipment and other off-the-road equipment.

The capacity increase in off-the-road tires will center on expanding tire-production capacity at Bridgestone's Shimonoseki Plant about 20% by the beginning of 2008. It will also include expanding production capacity for steel cord about 5% at the company's Saga Plant and for off-the-road tire parts at its Hofu Plant.

Bridgestone's plans call for construction of new buildings at the Shimonoseki Plant to begin in the latter half of 2005 with an estimated construction date of late 2006. At the Hofu Plant, Bridgestone will begin expansion work in the latter half of 2005 with a goal of bringing the new production capacity online in the latter half of 2006. The company will begin work on expanding buildings at the Saga Plant in the latter half of 2005, and the new production equipment there is due to begin operation in early 2007.