Local News

Bridgestone CEO and President Shoshi Arakawa said at a news conference in Tokyo that the company’s Kitakyushu plant was an important strategic asset, and suggested that the company might further invest in the facilities. The plant began operation in 2009 and manufactures large radial tires for construction and mining vehicles. Demand for the tires is high in developing countries. The company announced plans last October to invest 22 billion yen in the plant to quadruple its production capacity by 2013, but President Arakawa’s statement suggests the company is planning to increase capacity even further.