Bridgestone/Firestone investing $40 million in Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (July 11)—Bridgestone/Firestone will invest $40 million during the next two years to modernize and expand its plant in San Jose to more than double daily capacity to 13,500 units. The added capacity—8,000 units a day of 13-, 14- and 15-inch radial passenger tires—primarily will be for export to the U.S., Bridgestone/Firestone said. The expansion will create 400 jobs, increasing employment at the 35-year-old facility to 1,000, the company said. The unit's strategic location, track record of quality and efficiency and Costa Rica's social, political and economic stability all played roles in Bridgestone/Firestone's decision to invest, said Alejandro CortÃ&Copy;s, sales and marketing director of Exportadora Firestone de Centro America, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Firestone de Costa Rica S.A. The additional business and increased employment will generate about $10 million a year to the Costa Rican economy, the company said.