Bridgestone Aircraft Tyre Retreading Underway in China

A new Bridgestone retreading facility for aircraft tyres celebrated its official opening on July 26. The plant, operated by Bridgestone Aircraft Tire Co. (China) Ltd. and located in Qingdao is intended to primarily meet the tyre requirements of China’s numerous airlines. The opening of the Qingdao facility sees the global number of Bridgestone aircraft tyre retreading facilities increase to five, the others being located in Japan, the US, Belgium and Hong Kong.

Bridgestone aircraft tyre operations are rounded out by its facility for manufacturing new aircraft radials in Kurume, Japan. Production in Kurume is set to rise dramatically upon the opening of its second plant on the site, which is scheduled to begin operation during the second half of 2008. Within three years this second plant will see Bridgestone’s new aircraft radial output double.