Bridgestone To Invest ¥25 Billion In The Kitakyushu Plant
The Kitakyushu Plant, which makes tires for mining and construction vehicles, will get ¥25 billion in equipment upgrades, according to a statement from Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone). They plan to finish this update by the end of 2027. As it enhances its off-the-road (OTR) tire business, which powers the company’s premium tire business, Bridgestone focuses on delivering value over volume through this strategic investment as part of its Mid Term Business Plan (2024–2026).
Bridgestone’s Dan-Totsu products*1 – “Bridgestone MASTERCORE” – are produced strategically in the Kitakyushu Plant, which delivers OTR tires to customers worldwide. In addition to ensuring a steady and high-quality supply, this calculated investment will raise standards for productivity, quality, safety, disaster prevention, and environmental friendliness. Additionally, the investment will improve Dan-Totsuproducts’ production technology for the next generation.
Bridgestone is dedicated to positively impacting the neighborhood and advancing the attainment of a safe and secure sustainable society through this commitment. The production volume will not change from its current level because the investment is focused on updating current equipment.
Overview of the Kitakyushu Plant
| Location | ： | Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Start of operation | ： | June 2009 |
| Plant Manager | ： | Yuki Otani |
| Number of employees | ： | 575（as ofDecember 31, 2023） |
| Area | ： | 374,230㎡ |
| Production | ： | Off-the-road Radial Tires for Mining and Construction Vehicles |
| Production Volume | ： | 170t／day（as of January 1, 2024） |
Priyanka Dutta