BFNAT Canadian Plant Gets Capital Boost

(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Canadian operation and the Quebec government will invest $53.3 million (Canadian) on improvements to the company’s 40-year-old Joliette, Quebec, tyre plant.

The deal was announced last Friday, and is intended to preserve some 1,250 jobs at the plant. Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc will contribute $49.8 million and the provincial government will add $3.5 million. Most of the funds will go toward new equipment and facility reorganization.

“In order to ensure that the company can compete at the top ranks on an international level, we have focused our efforts on product diversity and complexity rather than on volume, while respecting the highest standards of quality,” said Isaku Motohashi, Joliette plant manager.

“We are responding to client demand for products that are increasingly more diverse and that offer a significant added value for the company,” he said. “This strategy, which is based on innovation, production flexibility and labor quality, requires major investments in terms of equipment and training.”