Bridgestone to invest $100 million to upgrade Mexican plant

Cuernavaca, Mexico — Bridgestone de Mexico SA de CV is planning to upgrade manufacturing capabilities at its car and light truck tire plant in Cuernavaca with a $100 million (€87 million) investment over the coming two years.

The investment will allow the implementation of innovative processes and new technologies, while also strengthening the plant's capacity to produce high value-added tires such as run-flat tires, Bridgestone said, in addition to the reduced rolling-resistance Ecopia models.

The 38-year-old plant in Mexico's Morelos state has an installed capacity of approximately 25,000 tires per day, serving original equipment customers and the Mexican aftermarket as well as exports, Bridgestone said.

The Cuernavaca is one of two plants Bridgestone operates in Mexico. The other, in Monterrey, opened in 2007 and produces car and light truck tires, predominantly for export.

Bridgestone said it believes that this investment project will continue to strengthen and grow its business in Mexico. It did not comment on any possible effect on employment, which stands at 1,150 hourly workers.

Bridgestone invested $90 million in the plant in 2008-09 to expand capacity for ultra-high-performance tires.