Firestone Airide opens new US distribution centres

Nashville, Tennessee – Firestone Airide, formerly Firestone Industrial Products Co., has opened new distribution centres at its two US-based manufacturing facilities in Williamsburg, Kentucky and Dyersburg, Tennessee.

With a total investment of $26 million (€24 million), the centres will enhance the company’s ability to serve its customers and increase operational efficiency, said Bridgestone Americas 17 April.

Located next to the manufacturing sites, the centres will help reduce the company’s carbon footprint through cutting the transportation of goods to a third-party operated distribution centre in Indianapolis.

According to Firestone Airide, the expansions are designed to accommodate “significant growth” in the air spring business.

The units will enable the company “to shorten time-to-market to meet customer demands while further optimising our operations,” said Justin Monaghan, president, Firestone Airide.

The project follows the rebranding of Firestone Airide and recent launch of 'Air Command' with bluetooth control functionality.

Furthermore, the investment in Williamsburg builds upon a recent plant expansion to meet growing demand for the company’s air springs products, driven by the growing electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The Williamsburg distribution centre is 150,000 square feet, and the Dyersburg distribution centre is 80,000 square feet.

According to the company, Firestone Airide is “a leading” supplier of air springs for the EV industry.

The Firestone’s Williamsburg factory produces air springs for automotive, heavy-duty truck and trailer, and seat/cab air springs applications.

The Dyersburg plant manufactures stamped metal components plates for air springs and finishes/crimps air springs for the automotive aftermarket, heavy-duty, and off-highway applications.