Bridgestone Americas Inc. is investing $550 million in its Warren County, Tenn., commercial truck and bus tire plant. The infusion will expand the plant by 850,000 square feet to support increased capacity.
Bridgestone officials say the investment will create 380 new jobs at the facility, which opened in 1990, and will "allow for all tires made in Warren to be equipped with RFID tags that enable more efficient asset management and optimization of fleets' investments in tires, including retreading.
"The plant will incorporate technology for digital readiness in tires, including the integration of tire-mounted sensors that support advanced, data-driven insights for more efficient fleet management.
"Bridgestone also will invest in artificial intelligence control technology that increases productivity and the application of knowledge and data in a digital manufacturing environment."
The Warren County plant - which produced its 70 millionth tire in October of last year - currently can manufacture 9,400 units per day at full capacity, according to MTD research.
The expansion is expected to start before the end of 2022.
Bridgestone is targeting May 2024 for completion of construction.
"Our production and manufacturing capabilities continue to evolve with our products to meet the needs of our customers," says Scott Damon, chief operating officer, Bridgestone Americas.
