Bridgestone consolidating automotive seat pads production

Tokyo – Bridgestone Corp. is closing down an automotive seat pads production plant in Japan as part of a move to improve production efficiency of the products and increase profitability.

The tire & rubber group is currently manufacturing automotive seat pads across four production sites in Japan, said Bridgestone in a statement 8 Oct.

Of the four sites, three are owned by Bridgestone Chemitech (BSCT), and one is owned by Bridgestone Diversified Chemical Products (BDCP).

The decision will see BSCT’s production facility in Ageo, Saitama Prefecture, closing down in the fourth quarter of 2023.

BSCT’s other units in Nabari and Hofu and BDCP’s plant in Tosu will continue the production of the automotive parts.

The 63 ‘highly skilled’ employees impacted by the decision will continue to work in other parts of BSCT, the statement added.

Bridgestone said the initiative was part of the group's global expense and cost structure review established in its mid-term business plan (2021-2023), which was unveiled in February.

The Japanese group expects ‘minor impact’ from the decision on its financial results for 2021.

According to its wesbite, Bridgestone has been manufacturing seat pads, made from polyurethane materials, since 1968, and currently supply parts from total of eleven plants in five countries.