Bridgestone Americas announced a major expansion and modernization of its radial tire plant located in Morrison, Tennessee. The $550 million investment will expand the plant’s existing footprint by 850,000 square feet to support increased capacity and to accelerate the use of advanced technologies that support cleaner, safer, and more efficient commercial truck and bus fleets, according to the company.
The investment will also allow for all tires made in Warren to be equipped with RFID (radio frequency identification) 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 will also invest in AI control technology that increases productivity and the application of knowledge and data in a digital manufacturing environment.
The expansion of the 32-year-old facility is expected to begin before the end of this year, with construction expected to be substantially completed by May 2024. Employment will grow from 1,100 to more than 1,400, and the plant’s footprint will grow from 1.97 million to more than 2.8 million square feet.
The Warren County plant is one of the company’s most productive operations globally, it says. The facility shipped its one millionth tire in 1993, only three years after it opened. That same year, the plant produced nearly 2,500 tires per day. The plant produced its 70 millionth tire in October 2021.
“Our production and manufacturing capabilities continue to evolve with our products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Scott Damon, COO, in a prepared statement. “This investment will further improve the plant’s global competitive position and secure our future growth.”
Source: Bridgestone Americas
