Bridgestone to invest $77M in Iowa farm tyre plant
ERJ staff report (TB)
Des Moines, Iowa - Bridgestone Americas will invest $77 million over three years at its Firestone Des Moines agricultural tyre plant to expand capacity and upgrade manufacturing to meet demand for high-capacity radial farm tyres.
“This investment will allow Firestone to maintain our market position, continue to develop advanced solutions and supply improved tyre technology to the agricultural industry,†said Ken Allen, president, agricultural tyre, U.S. & Canada commercial tyre sales division, Bridgestone Americas tyre Operations.
Investments will be made in tyre building, curing and necessary support equipment, Bridgestone said, in part to meet demand for larger-sized tyres being used on more powerful farm equipment. At the same time, though, producers want to minimise ground compaction.
“As farm equipment applications become more specialised, such as the self-propelled sprayer market, we will be in a position to provide tyres that meet the unique demands of these applications,†Allen said.
Bridgestone did not comment on the project's impact on employment. The 65-year-old plant counts 1,400 employees. Plant capacity is listed as 12,100 units a day.
From Tire Business (A Crain publication)
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