News - 2013

Bridgestone to Increase Production Capacity at New Passenger Car Tire Plant in Vietnam

2013/10/15

TOKYO (October 15, 2013) - Bridgestone Corporation today announced that its subsidiary in Vietnam, Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam Limited Liability Company(BTMV) decided to increase production capacity at the company's new passenger car radial tires(PSR) plant currently under construction in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. The production increase is to meet the continually growing demand for tires globally. The total investment in the plant will be approximately ¥41.6 billion. Production capacity at the new facility is estimated to increase by approximately 24,000 tires per day by the second half of 2017, and once expansion is completed, the plant's total capacity will be approximately 49,000 tires per day.

The plant is scheduled to begin operation in March of 2014, and will serve as an export base for PSR general-purpose tires sold in Europe, North America, and Japan, principally.

The Bridgestone Group is continuously optimizing its production and supply systems in order to respond more rapidly to changing global market trends and provide our customers with high-quality products in a timely manner. In addition, Bridgestone will continue to support the economic development in Hai Phong City and Vietnam through its operation and presence in the country.

< Overview of BTMV>

1. Company name	: Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam Limited Liability Company
2. Location	: Dinh Vu Industrial Zone, Hai Phong City, Vietnam
3. Representative	: Susumu Yazaki
4. Business Activities	: Manufacturing and sales of PSR
5. Capital	: US$ 307.8 million (approximately ¥ 23.7 billion)
6. Employees	: Approximately 1,900 employees (total planned for 1st half of 2016) * Approximately 3,800 employees (total planned for 2nd half of 2017)
7. Ownership	: Bridgestone Corporation 100%

1. Production item	: PSR
2. Site area	: Approximately 1.02 million square meters
3. Start of operations	: Planned for March 2014
4. Production capacity	: Approximately 25,000 tires per day (planned for 1st half of 2016)

1. Start of operations increased production capacity	: Planned for 1st half of 2016
2. Completion of production capacity increase	: Planned for 2nd half of 2017
3. Production capacity to be increased	: Approximately 24,000 tires a day (planned for 2nd half of 2017)

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.