Bridgestone to close three diversified product plants

TOKYO—Bridgestone is taking a more streamlined approach to increase its earning power. The Japanese tire maker announced that it will close three production facilities within its Diversified Chemical Products Co. Ltd. business (BDCP) as part of its ongoing restructuring plan.

The consolidation will reduce the total number of BDCP production facilities to six from the current nine. Bridgestone said in a Nov. 26 statement that the change is expected to "contribute to the reinforcement of the business structure."

As part of the plan, the Japanese group expects to close a facility in Shikoku, Kagawa Prefecture, by the third quarter of 2022; a plant in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture in the first quarter of 2023; followed by the shutdown of Gotemba city factory in Shizuoka Prefecture in the second quarter of 2023.

The three plants, as well as the BDCP overall, mainly manufacture polyurethane foams, used for various applications in cushioning and waterproofing, Bridgestone told European Rubber Journal in a written statement.

The production capacity of the three plants will be transferred to the remaining six facilities, Bridgestone said, without giving sales details of the units.

The three factories employ a total of 83 people, who Bridgestone described as "highly skilled and experienced." The group expects all the current employees to continue to work with BDCP.