BFS ships first US-made run-flat tyres to BMW

Wilson, North Carolina - Bridgestone/Firestone has sent its first shipment of US-made Bridgestone Potenza RE050 RFT run-flat tyres to BMW AG

The tyres, size 225/45R17 91 W, were produced in the company´s Wilson plant, which is the first BFS facility in the US to produce Bridgestone-brand run-flats, the tyre maker said. The tyres will be shipped to BMW´s assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The run-flat tyre originally was developed in the Bridgestone Technical Center in Japan then re-developed for production in Wilson.

"The successful production localisation to the United States of this run-flat tyre marks an important milestone in our efforts to increase our North American manufacturing capabilities to meet the increasing global original equipment market demands for high technology tyres," said Michael Martini, president of BFS North American consumer tyre OE sales.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)