Bridgestone to Increase Production Capacity in Thailand

Bridgestone Corporation will expand production capacity for truck and bus radial tyres at its Chonburi plant in Thailand. This move is in response to growing global demand for those tyres. At the same time, Bridgestone will increase production capacity at its Rayong plant in Thailand which manufactures and supplies steel cord for radial tyres. The aim of this is to secure stable supply of raw materials. Bridgestone reports that it has earmarked approximately 126 million euros for investment in the expansion work of these two plants.

The Chonburi plant started production operations in May 2004, as a plant specialized in truck and bus radial tyres. Bridgestone determined to expand production capacity to respond to growing sales of truck and bus radial tyres on the back of growing worldwide demand. The company will begin work on construction of the new buildings during the current fiscal year with an eye to increasing daily production capacity to a total of 7,500 tyres by the first half of 2008. Employees at the end of June 2005: approximately 500.

In order to cope with this increase in tyre production capacity, Bridgestone will also expand its Rayong plant Metalpha which produces steel cord for radial tyres. The company is investing here to realize daily production capacity of 107 tons by the end of 2008. Employees at the end of June 2005: approximately 300.

With tyre demand expected to continue growing worldwide, Bridgestone Group intends to enhance and strengthen its production-distribution systems in a well-planned and strategic manner to meet market demands.