Bridgestone expanding Abilene, USA Bandag plant

To meet a growing demand for tread rubber products driven by the rapid growth of its retread business, Bridgestone Americas is investing US$60 million to expand its Bridgestone Bandag manufacturing plant in Abilene, Texas. As well as enlarging the facility by 50,000 square feet (4,650 m²) to accommodate new mixing operations, the expansion includes an immediate increase in operational activity by running on six and seven-day production schedules. Bridgestone expects the mixing facility to be operational by January 2025. The investment in the facility and the additional days of operations will increase the plant’s output by 16 per cent.

“Today we celebrate the growth and commitment of this plant and this community, with new investment and a physical expansion driven by growing demand for our products and, just as fundamentally, by this team’s commitment to delivering innovation and superior quality for our customers here and around the world,” says Barry Owens, senior vice president, Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group. “Our company and our Abilene team have a vital role to play in the transformation of mobility brought forth by a desire of building greener retreads, while helping maximise fuel efficiency for fleets.”

In operation for 50 years as of 2021, the Bandag retread plant in Abilene produces pre-cured truck tread, rubber cement and solvent packaging. Bridgestone’s investment will build upon the plant’s existing 200,000 square-foot blueprint and provide capacity needed for future production.