Bridgestone Increases UHP Tyre Production in France

Bridgestone Europe has invested 32 million euros in increasing production capacity at its Béthune, France, passenger-car tyre plant. According to the company, the investment will extend the plant high performance tyre production output by up to 1000 tyres a day from 2009. The Bridgestone Béthune plant currently produces around 25,000 passenger-car tyres a day and employs more than 1,250 people. Bridgestone Europe operates seven manufacturing plants (in France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Hungary), producing both passenger car and truck and bus tyres. The new production facilities will manufacture Bridgestone’s latest generation passenger-car tyres including ultra high-performance tyres and winter tyres.

The 4,400 m² building extension was officially opened on 4th July 2008 in a ceremony attended by Mr Remi Caron, Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, and other representatives of regional and local authorities. Bridgestone was represented by Mr Hiroshi Hasegawa, Senior Vice President Bridgestone Europe Manufacturing.

“Today’s high-performance tyres are state-of-the-art products manufactured with advanced technology” said Bruno Capron, Managing Director Bridgestone Béthune. “Many of these tyres will be supplied to Bridgestone’s growing number of original equipment customers, including top French car manufacturers.”