Bridgestone to expand plants in India, Indonesia

Tokyo - Bridgestone Corp. will expand capacity for car and light truck tyres at plants in India and Indonesia over the coming two years in projects valued at nearly $190 million (€139 million).

In India, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd. will boost capacity nearly 43 percent to 15 000 tyres a day at its 9-year-old plant in Indore, primarily to meet “burgeoning demand spurred by a booming domestic market,” the company said. The project, which also will enhance the plant's capacity for larger diameter sizes, is budgeted at $52.6 million.

In Indonesia, P.T. Bridgestone Tire Indonesia will spend $136 million to expand daily capacity at its Karawang plant 45 percent to 27 000 tyres, with an emphasis on high-performance tyres for export.

The projects, both due for completion by 2010, are part of Bridgestone's strategy to create an optimal global production and logistics system.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Press release from Bridgestone