Bridgestone’s Poland TBR Facility Officially Opened

A traditional “kagami-biraki” sake barrel breaking ceremony attended by more than a hundred guests and a guided factory tour has marked the official opening of Bridgestone’s new 200 million truck and bus radial facility in Stargard, northwest Poland. Senior company management including Bridgestone Corporation CEO Shoshi Arakawa and Bridgestone Europe CEO Toru Tsuda presided over the May 18 events and played host to numerous local, regional and national officials such as Mrs Grazyna Henclewska, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economy, Mr. Tanabe, Japan’s Ambassador to Poland and Mr. Husejko, Marshal of West Pomerania.

During the opening ceremony Mr. Arakawa expressed Bridgestone’s pride in opening the plant, which he said once again illustrates the company’s long-term commitment to Europe. These comments were built upon by Mr. Tsuda, who said “this plant is vital for our European objective of long-term profitable growth. It is a showcase of advanced technology and a key asset in our strategy of focusing on high-value-added products in the extremely competitive European tyre market.”

The new factory, officially known as Bridgestone Stargard Sp. z o.o., is located on a 100-hectare site in the suburbs of Stargard Szczeciński, in Poland’s Zachodniopomorskie province. Daily output is anticipated to reach 2,500 units per day in 2010, at which time the plant will employ up to 550 workers.