Bridgestone to boost capacity at Costa Rica plant by 36%

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas Inc. plans to invest $250 million through 2026 to renovate and expand capacity at a multi-product tire plant in Belén de Heredia, Costa Rica.

The project will result in a 36-percent increase in production capacity to nearly 5 million units a year and create 106 jobs at the 55-year-old factory in suburban San Jose. The investment sum includes $60 million Bridgestone Americas already had budgeted for the plant.

"This new capital investment represents an important step for Bridgestone's tire production capacity, and it also reinforces our commitment to contributing to Costa Rica's economic and social development," said Alfonso Zendejas, president of Bridgestone Latin America North.

"This investment strengthens Bridgestone's commitment to Costa Rica as a strategic location for local and global business activities and further contributes to our ability to maximize value for all of our stakeholders."

The plant in Costa Rica was opened by predecessor Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in 1967. It is focused on the production of tires for passenger cars, vans, and trucks for domestic and export markets and employs around 1,000 people.

U.S. passenger and light truck tire imports from Costa Rica totaled 1.74 million and 352,310 units, respectively, in 2021, according to U.S. Census Department data.

Bridgestone said the investment complements the strategic plan for sustainable growth it has been implementing in recent years to expand the businesses that operates in the country.

From 2020 to date, Bridgestone Costa Rica has invested $36 million in modernization and efficiency projects for tire manufacturing, $2 million for the expansion of the plant in Turrialba, and $500,000 to strengthen the operations of the Bridgestone Business Services.