Bridgestone Corp. has announced that its Indian subsidiary Bridgestone India Private Ltd. is to invest $539 million in a second tire production plant in the country.
According to the company, the latest factory will be built near the city of Pune, Maharashtra State, 170 km southeast of Mumbai.
This new plant is slated to begin passenger radial tire production and truck and bus radial tire in January 2013 and August 2013, respectively. The company is aiming for capacity 10,000 units per day (PCR) and 3,000 units per day (TBR) by 2020.
The investment is in a country, which Bridgestone characterizes as “an emerging market with remarkable economic growth” is based on projections that tire demand in India is expected to grow significantly as automotive production and unit sales increase in step with the expansion of road infrastructure that is the result of economic growth.
Bridgestone began PCR production at its Indore Plant in 1998 and plans to commence TBR production there in 2011. However, in an official statement dated Mar. 30, the group outlined plans to further strengthen its supply system in India. The new site in the Chakan Industrial Area, near Pune, reportedly covers approximately 770,000 square meters. (Tyres & Accessories)
