LAS VEGAS (Sept. 25, 2012)—Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations L.L.C. will be investing an additional $27.3 million into its off-the-road tire plant in Illinois.
The announcement follows the company's initial investment of $19.5 million it allocated for the Bloomington, Ill. plant earlier this year.
“The strong demand for giant loader tires is currently exceeding supply,” said Ken Weaver, President, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales Division, Bridgestone Americas. “This additional expansion will better position us to respond to the continued market demand we expect to see, and to meet global growth in the mining sector.”
The investment is expected to be used toward the purchase of new machinery and add 47 jobs to the plant's 420 employees.
The first investment, which was geared toward machinery and increasing production of tires, is expected to be completed by mid-2013, according to the company. That investment was also expected to result in the hiring of at least 40 people.