Bridgestone investing $72 million to expand 4 tire plants

TOKYO — Bridgestone Corp. is planning to expand capacity for premium passenger tires at four of its factories in Japan over the coming three years in projects valued at $72 million.

The expansions—to add 6,200 units a day of new capacity collectively by 2025—will take place at the firm's plants in Tochigi, Hikone, Hofu and Tosu, Japan, Bridgestone said.

The company did not comment on whether the investments will require any physical expansions of the factories nor on the potential impact on employment.

The investment, which represents a 10-percent increase in output of premium tires, are aimed at "reinforcing structure to produce premium tires for passenger cars," the company said, noting the investment will encompass not only higher rim-diameter sizes but also will embrace its strategy to establish its Enliten tire weight-trimming technology as the "new premium,"

"Enliten will expand its values not only as tire technology but also as product, through improvement of tire performance, which meets conditions of each customer use," Bridgestone said.

Furthermore, the group aims to use Enliten as a business model for delivering its carbon-neutrality, circular-economy, productivity and value-creating goals.

Bridgestone said the project ties into its "Dan Totsu" strategy of emphasizing high value-added products as espoused in its most recent mid-term business plan.