Bridgestone inaugurates Vietnam tire plant

Singapore –  Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam Ltd (BTMV) has officially opened its first tire plant in Vietnam, parent group Bridgestone Corp. announced 24 Oct.

The facility, in Hai Phong City, actually started production of passenger car radial tires (PSR) in April 2014. Output is now nearing 10,000 tires per day under the initial ramp-up phase.

When fully operational, the unit will serve as a key export base to Europe, North America and Japan, said regional head company Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

Bridgestone plans to ramp up daily production at the PSR plant to around 25,000 tires in the first half of 2016, and to 49,000 by the end of 2017, when the workforce is expected to number 3,800.

“We now have over 1,100 employees who are mostly Vietnamese and are increasing our manufacturing output on a daily basis,” said Teruo Kunitake, general director of BTMV.

Bridgestone aims to build on its manufacturing and distribution system and to further support development of the local communities of Vietnam, according to the company statement.

“Apart from contributing to Vietnam’s economy, we also plan to drive a better future by supporting the local community and environment in Vietnam,” Kunitake stated.