Bridgestone Americas Announces Second Investment in Bloomington OTR Plant
LAS VEGAS (Sept. 25, 2012) – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (Bridgestone Americas) announced during a press conference at MINExpo in Las Vegas that it will make an additional investment of $27.3 million for a second expansion project at its Bloomington, Ill. off-the-road (OTR) plant.
Most of the investment will go toward new machinery for the production of giant loader tires (GLT). The Bloomington plant currently specializes in GLT bias production, making it the ideal location to increase production of these tires. The expansion will create approximately 47 new jobs.
“The strong demand for giant loader tires is currently exceeding supply,“ said Ken Weaver, President, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales Division, Bridgestone Americas. “This additional expansion will better position us to respond to the continued market demand we expect to see, and to meet global growth in the mining sector.“
This announcement follows news in April of a $19.5 million investment in the plant to increase production of tires used in heavy industry. Most of that investment will also go toward new machinery, is expected to be completed in mid-2013, and will result in at least 40 new jobs.
“Both of these announcements help further establish our commitment to this industry and serving the needs of our customers,“ said Kurt Danielson, President, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions. “We want to confirm our position as a leader in this market, and these expansions are just one step in that process.“
The Bridgestone Americas plant in Bloomington, which has been operated by the company since 1994, produces off-the-road tires and employs 420 teammates.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations; the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses; the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses; and Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, which operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Commercial Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.