Bridgestone to expand plants in Poland, Spain

BRUSSELS—Bridgestone Corp. has launched a $315 million, five-year investment program in Europe to upgrade and expand capacity by roughly 20 percent at tire plants in Poland and Spain.

Under the phased plan, Bridgestone will expand production capacity, purchase cutting-edge equipment and optimize existing production lines at passenger/light truck tire plants in Poznan, Poland, and Burgos, Spain, and truck/bus tire plant in Stargard, Poland.

The investment, Bridgestone said, is intended to support its growth and portfolio expansion plans, while also enhancing customer service capabilities. Roughly $83 million is budgeted for the plant in Burgos, with the remainder for the two Polish plants.

Bridgestone said it does not expect the projects to affect employment at any of the plants.

Bridgestone's plants in Poznan and Stargard are dedicated to passenger and truck/bus tires, respectively, with daily production capacities of 28,800 and 3,864 units. These plants were opened in 2000 and 2009, respectively.

The plant in Burgos, one of three Bridgestone operates in Spain, is rated at 27,300 car and light truck tires a day. The plant has been in operation since 1976.

Paolo Ferrari, CEO and president of Bridgestone Europe/Middle East/Africa, cited "increasing demand from our replacement and original equipment partners" for the need for the investment.

"This next step enables us to bring our products even closer to our partners and further strengthens Bridgestone's footprint in the region."