Firestone Airide christens 2 new distribution centers

Serving customers more efficiently is one of the reasons Firestone Airide has opened two new distribution centers next to its U.S. manufacturing facilities. In addition, the new centers will augment the company's operations.

Both were built new, and both are operational. A new 150,000-sq.-ft. distribution center is located next to its Williamsburg, Ky., facility. The second center is 80,000 square feet and is located next to the Dyersburg, Tenn., manufacturing facility.

Justin Monaghan, president of Firestone Airide, mentioned in an email to Rubber News that the new warehouses will boost the company's ability to serve its customers and increase operational efficiency.

"With their strategic locations and increased capability, the new distribution centers will enable us to shorten time-to-market to meet customer demands while further optimizing our operations," Monaghan said.

"Additionally, having the distribution centers located next to the manufacturing facilities will help reduce the company's carbon footprint by eliminating the transportation of goods from the two manufacturing facilities to a third-party operated distribution center in Indianapolis. The new distribution centers will create operational efficiencies at both sites and enable Firestone Airide to bring products to the market faster."

Monaghan added that the new facilities also align with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment which has eight values addressing sustainable solutions starting with the letter E (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment).

"The new distribution facilities align with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment because they create operational efficiencies for our company and maximize business operations. By constructing these facilities adjacent to our current manufacturing plants in both locations, Firestone Airide can increase productivity on-site and during distribution, simplifying the logistics of our in-demand products."

The total investment for both distribution centers was $26 million.

The Williamsburg facility distributes air springs for automotive, heavy-duty truck and trailer and seat/cab spring applications. Monaghan said this location recently experienced a major automotive expansion to meet growing demand for advanced air spring technology in electric vehicles.

The Dyersburg facility distributes air springs for heavy-duty products and off-highway applications. The new distribution center also assembles and distributes Ride-Rite kits for the automotive aftermarket business. These Ride-Rite air helper springs are the ideal solution for leveling a vehicle under load, and with the expansion of the kit assembly line, can now serve the expanded dealer coverage it aims to achieve in 2024 and beyond.

Both of the new centers include numerous departments including shipping, receiving, office administration and light assembly, and will employ coordinators, material handlers, and office administration personnel. In total, the Williamsburg facility will create 25 jobs and the Dyersburg facility will create 40 new jobs.

The new centers will serve as hubs to distribute Firestone Airide products globally. The facility expansions are designed to accommodate significant growth in the Airide air spring business.

"The investment in Williamsburg builds upon a recent plant expansion to meet growing demand for the company's air springs products, driven by the growing electric vehicle sector," Monaghan said. "We have a vital role to play in the transformation of mobility created by advanced electric vehicles and supporting technologies, such as our Firestone air springs."

Firestone Airide has operated the Williamsburg and Dyersburg facilities since 1989.