NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 2, 2004)—Bridgestone Metalpha USA will expand annual capacity at its steel cord plant in Clarksville, Tenn., to 58,000 metric tons by early 2006, spending $45 million to do so.
Bridgestone Metalpha, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas holding Inc., is one of the world´s largest producers of steel cord, which is used as a reinforcement in radial tires. The Clarksville facility began operations in 1995.
The expansion calls for 125,000 square feet of space added to the existing 690,000-sq.-ft. facility, and increase production capacity by 6,000 tons, or 11.5 percent. The project will create 35 new jobs, Bridgestone Metalpha said.
Construction at the plant in the Clarksville-Montgomery County Corporate Business Park is expected to begin February 2005 with increased production to begin the first quarter of 2006.
The expansion is the company´s third in Clarksville, and is expected to bring employment at the facility to 385 and total capital investment to $245 million.
“This expansion is evidence of Bridgestone's continued confidence and support in our company's ability to be a leader in the steel cord industry,” said Mike Hill, plant manager. “Our team members continue to meet or exceed all of our customers' expectations.”
“Worldwide demand for Bridgestone tires continues to grow,” said Metalpha President Takeshi Yoshikawa. “We are committed to the Clarksville community and our team members here at this facility. We strive to continually improve productivity and make our processes more efficient.”
The Clarksville facility achieved ISO 9001-2000 certification for their quality process and was recently recommended for ISO 14001 certification for their environmental process.