PUENTE SAN MIGUEL, Spain — Bridgestone Corp. is investing $28 million in its Puente San Miguel, Spain, factory to support the launch of a line of 24-inch radial truck tires suited for on- and off-road applications.
The move will give "a significant boost" to the site in north Spain, where it will be able to make agricultural and truck tires at the same time, the company said. The investment will include purchase of new machinery and infrastructure in order to upgrade overall plant efficiency.
Robots, auto-guided vehicles, testing and production machinery will be installed, and energy efficiency will be improved.
Bridgestone already has committed $40 million in investments at the 53-year-old Puente San Miguel farm and OTR tire plant under its 2018-21 strategic plan.
Production from the new line is expected in 2019, although product development and qualification will take place in the second half of this year.
The Japanese tire maker expects to create 40 jobs, and the selection process for those openings will begin "in a few weeks." Employment at the plant is listed as 450.
Through the project, truck tire production capacity is expected to reach 500 tires per day, Bridgestone noted. The plant's capacity now is listed as 800 farm, OTR and industrial tires a day.
According to Bridgestone, 24-inch radial truck tires have enhanced traction and durability, and are suitable for markets where they have to be used both on- and off-road.