Second investment in Bridgestone's Bloomington plant announced
An additional US$27.3 million will be directed towards expanding Bridgestone’s OTR tyre plant in Bloomington, US. The investment, announced during a press conference at the MINExpo show in Las Vegas, will primarily go towards new machinery for the production of giant loader tyres (GLT). The Bloomington plant currently specialises in producing cross-ply GLT, and therefore Bridgestone considers it the “ideal location” to increase production of these tyres. The expansion will create approximately 47 new jobs.
“The strong demand for giant loader tyres is currently exceeding supply,“ said Ken Weaver, president, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales Division, Bridgestone Americas. “This additional expansion will better position us to respond to the continued market demand we expect to see, and to meet global growth in the mining sector.”
This announcement follows April’s news that Bridgestone would invest $19.5 million in the plant to increase the production of tyres used in heavy industry. Most of that investment will also go toward new machinery and expansion work is expected to be completed in mid-2013. This first investment will result in at least 40 new jobs.
“Both of these announcements help further establish our commitment to this industry and serving the needs of our customers,“ said Kurt Danielson, president, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions. “We want to confirm our position as a leader in this market, and these expansions are just one step in that process.“
The Bridgestone Americas plant in Bloomington, which has been operated by the company since 1994, produces off-the-road tyres and employs 420.
Related news:
Comments