CUERNAVACA, Mexico—Bridgestone de Mexico S.A. de C.V. will be expanding manufacturing capabilities in Mexico with an investment up to $100 million during the next two years.
The investment will add manufacturing space to accommodate new tire assembly machines, material handling systems, curing presses and associated equipment at the company's Cuernavaca car and light truck tire plant, according to a company spokesman.
The expansion will enable the 38-year-old plant to consolidate its installed capacity, in addition to increasing that capacity by 3,000 tires per day, serving original equipment manufacturers and local market clients as well as exports, the spokesman said.
The plant has an installed capacity of about 25,000 tires per day, Bridgestone said.
The project also will enable Cuernavaca to meet the growing demand for high value added tires, including run-flats, as well as further improve quality and productivity while developing and implementing new processes and technologies, he said.
"In addition to its critical and strategic role in the Bridgestone Americas manufacturing group, the Cuernavaca plant is one of the most important industrial employers in the state of Morelos, Mexico, employing more than 1,000 workers," the spokesman said. The company did not comment on the expansion's effect on employment.
Bridgestone operates two plants in Mexico, including its Monterrey plant opened in 2007, which produces car and light truck tires, predominately for export.
In 2008-09, Bridgestone invested $90 million in the Cuernavaca plant to expand capacity for ultra-high-performance tires.