Tire maker Bridgestone has announced plans for a US$550m expansion of its Tennessee truck and bus radial tire plant.
The planned 79,000m2 expansion of the 32-year-old Warren County site is scheduled to begin before the end of 2022 and will increase the facility’s footprint from 18ha to over 26ha. Upon completion in May 2024, it is estimated there will be 380 new jobs at the site.
The site plans will see Bridgestone incorporating new technology for digital readiness in tires. This includes the integration of tire-mounted sensors that support advanced, data-driven insights for efficient fleet management. Artificial intelligence control technologies will also be introduced to increase productivity.
The investment will also enable all tires produced at the Warren County facility to be equipped with RFID tags. This will result in the manufacturer having more efficient asset management and optimization of fleets’ investments in tires and retreading.
“With new investment and new jobs, we are moving our Warren County plant forward, driven by growing demand for our products, our commitment to investing in US manufacturing and our Warren team’s dedication to innovation, efficiency and quality for our customers,” said Paolo Ferrari, president and CEO at Bridgestone Americas. “Our Warren County plant team plays a vital role in supporting our company’s commitment to providing safe and sustainable mobility solutions.”
“Our production and manufacturing capabilities continue to evolve with our products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Scott Damon, chief operating officer at Bridgestone Americas. “We are proud of our team for its 32 years of manufacturing excellence in Warren County, and our continued success is a tribute to the Warren teammates who remain driven and committed to providing our customers with the best truck and bus tires in the world. This investment will further improve the plant’s global competitive position and secure our future growth.”
