Bridgestone to build 8000 tyres/day BIRD plant in Mexico

Monterrey, Mexico--Bridgestone Corp. has confirmed it is planning to build a new car- and light truck-tyre plant in Monterrey, Mexico. The company released a statement saying it intends to invest about $220 million in the plant, which will focus on large rim diameters and ultra-high performance tyres. Bridgestone said the new plant will employ BIRD (Bridgestone Innovative and Rational Development) technology; the first time the high-tech manufacturing system has been employed outside Japan.

Bridgestone said the plant, which will be a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., will be located in the city of Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo Leon. The plant will employ about 200 people, and is due on stream in July 2007, said the company.

The new plant will be the Bridgestone Group's third tyre plant in Mexico. It will complement plants that Bridgestone Firestone de México, SA de CV operates in Mexico City and Cuernavaca. The new plant will be the 49th tyre plant for the Bridgestone Group, which produces tyres in 23 nations.

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