News - 2014

Bridgestone Raises Truss for New Plant for the Manufacture of　Polyurethane Foam for Automotive Seats in Mexico

2014/05/30

Tokyo (May 30, 2014) - Bridgestone Corporation today announced that it raised the first truss of the group's new plant in Mexico that will produce polyurethane foam for automotive seats. The truss was erected at a ceremony held on May 29, 2014 at the site of the future manufacturing facility in the City of Apaseo El Grande, in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Miguel Marquez Marquez, Govenor of State of Guanajuato, Mr. Lorenzo Licea Rojas, President of City of Apaseo El Grande, esteemed dignitaries from state and city government, representatives from the industrial park where the site is located, and also from the company that will build the plant. The Bridgestone Group representatives presented at the ceremony including Teruo Iwai, President of Bridgestone Automotive Products de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (BAMX), the company that will operate the new plant. At the ceremony the truss was signed by attendees to commemorate and bless the plant's ongoing prosperity before being lifted into place and settled.

<The Ceremony>
Mr. Miguel Marquez Marquez, Govenor of State of Guanajuato (fifth from right),
Mr. Lorenzo Licea Rojas, President of City of Apaseo El Grande (sixth from right),
Teruo Iwai, President of BAMX (seventh from right)

Mexico is expected to see continued growth in automobile production due to its strategic geographical location and a forecasted increase in domestic demand. Bridgestone chose Guanajuato, Mexico for its new plant in order to meet this growing demand.

To meet the growth in automotive demand over the medium to long term, the Bridgestone Group will continue to enhance its global product supply system so the Group can ensure that it continues to supply customers with high-quality products in a timely manner.

1. Company name:	Bridgestone Automotive Products de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
2. Ownership:	Bridgestone Corporation - 100%
3. Location:	City of Apaseo El Grande, State of Guanajuato, Mexico
4. Representative:	Teruo Iwai
5. Site area:	Approximately 45,000 square meters
6. Products:	Automotive polyurethane foam
7. Start of production:	First half of 2015 (planned)
8. Production capacity:	Foam for approximately 360,000 vehicles / year
9. Number of employees:	Approximately 100 employees (planned for 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.