QUEBEC CITY, Quebec — Bridgestone Canada Inc.'s tire plant in Joliette has earned recognition as a "significant job creator" in Quebec's Lanaudière region from a coalition of Quebec-based industrial and labor groups.
The Bridgestone plant was honored at the Prix Créateurs d'emplois du Quebec Awards Gala on Oct. 4 in Quebec City.
The Joliette facility was honored in the the "Coup de Coeur" category in the Lanaudière region for providing a "safe and innovative working environment" for its 1,300 employees. The award recognizes the creation, maintenance and growth of quality jobs from a sustainable development perspective.
Robert Verreault, general manager of the Bridgestone Joliette plant, said the facility is the largest private employer in the Lanaudière region, defined as part of central Quebec northeast of Montreal between the St. Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains.
"This recognition demonstrates Bridgestone's exemplary contribution to innovation and economic sustainability in the Lanaudière region," Mr. Verreault said, noting that this type of recognition can help Bridgestone recruit new employees, especially since the plant has job openings.
The Prix Créateurs d'emplois was created to highlight the important contribution of leading job creators to the economic development of Quebec and its 17 administrative regions, Bridgestone said.
The awards are presented by Fondaction, with the support of Corp. des Parcs Industrial Quebec and S'Allier pour la Prosperite.
Officials at the Joliette plant broke ground a year ago on a previously announced $250 million, five-year expansion of capacity at the 50-year-old car and light truck tire plant, opened originally by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in 1966.
Bridgestone said the expansion will help the plant meet demand by producing larger diameter tires for today's pickup trucks and SUVs.The plant's workers are represented by the Syndicat des Travailleurs de Bridgestone/Firestone de Joliette.