Bridgestone resuming commercial tyre production in North America

Bridgestone Americas has announced plans to restart its North American commercial tyre plants as well as its North American Firestone Industrial Products and Firestone Building Products manufacturing facilities on 13 April. The company says its start-up plans reflect the performance trend in several key areas of its commercial and diversified products businesses, which are not as severely affected by the current crisis. Bridgestone Bandag’s retread rubber manufacturing plants in North America resumed operations the week of 29 March in order to meet demand by essential service providers.

“The start-up of our North American commercial tyre and diversified products operations will allow us to meet the increasing needs of businesses who are going above and beyond to provide essential services in our communities,” said Paolo Ferrari, chief executive officer and president, Bridgestone Americas. “We are mindful of the need for Bridgestone to do its part in providing critical products and services to businesses and agencies doing so much to keep essential workers and goods moving.”

While production is scheduled to begin next Monday, Bridgestone Americas says the “well-being and safety of employees remains the most important priority for the company.” To ensure this, plants resuming operations will do so in alignment with the latest safety protocol guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bridgestone’s passenger tyre plants in North America, as well as all plants in Latin America, are scheduled to resume operations by the first week of May, with some facilities potentially opening sooner. In the meantime, the company has sufficient supply of original equipment and consumer replacement products to meet customer demand. Distribution centres, plant warehouses and logistics teams are continuing to fill orders.