11 Jul 2008
ERJ staff report (DS)
Bethune, France -- Bridgestone Europe has expanded production capacity at its Béthune, France, passenger car tyre plant. The €32 million investment will produce an additional 1000 highperformance tyres a day from 2009 and create 50 new jobs.
The 4400 m² building extension was officially opened on 4th July 2008 in a ceremony attended by Remi Caron, Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, and other representatives of regional and local authorities. Bridgestone was represented by Hiroshi Hasegawa, Senior Vice President Bridgestone Europe Manufacturing.
The new production facilities will manufacture Bridgestone's latest generation passenger car tyres including ultra high-performance tyres and winter tyres. Bridgestone focuses on premium products in Europe, capitalising on the demand shift to lower profile, larger rimsized tyres while providing motorists with added value in the areas of safety and performance.
The Bridgestone Béthune plant currently produces around 25 000 passenger-car tyres a day and employs more than 1250 people. Bridgestone Europe operates 7 manufacturing plants - in France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Hungary - producing a wide range of tyres for many types of vehicles.
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
Already a subscriber? Log in here
